A chef has been cleared of stealing cooking equipment used by members of the Armed Forces providing cover during the firefighters' strike.
On the first day of a Lewes Crown Court trial yesterday the prosecution offered no evidence against the 32-year-old from Worthing, who denied theft.
Judge Charles Kemp directed the jury to formally return a verdict of not guilty.
The man was alleged to have committed the offence in December last year.
He was working for an employment agency contracted by the Ministry of Defence to provide catering staff at the Territorial Army centre, in Dyke Road, Brighton.
Royal Navy crews were based at the centre while providing cover during the strike.
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