A peace campaigner who was arrested after a protest in which he covered himself in fake blood has walked free from court.

Nyana Joti, 31, was accused of distressing shoppers during an anti-war protest in Churchill Square, Brighton, in December last year.

He denied two charges of using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress at a trial at Brighton Magistrates Court.

After hearing the prosecution case, District Judge Ann Arnold ruled there was insufficient evidence to prove the offences and dismissed the charges.

Afterwards Mr Joti, of Lansdowne Street, Hove, said he had had no intention of upsetting shoppers but had no regrets for his actions and would join further "die-in" protests.

The court heard how a ten-year-old girl was left screaming hysterically after getting caught up in the protest on December 21, organised by Sussex Action for Peace to demonstrate against the then impending war with Iraq.

The protesters gathered at Churchill Square on one of the busiest days of the year.

In a video filmed by the protesters that was shown to the court, Joti was seen lying on the ground covered in fake blood before being dragged away by stallholders to the cheers of onlookers.

While he was on the ground he was seen to be kicked in the head by a passer-by. He repeated the stunt before being arrested.

The ten-year-old girl was shopping with her mother when they were caught up in the demo as they headed for the Bhs store.

The mother told the court: "My daughter was horrified. She was screaming hysterically.

"He was covered in what I knew was fake blood but my daughter was a child and didn't realise. It looked so realistic."

Acting Police Sergeant Mark Baker told the court when he heard a scream and saw Mr Joti lying on the ground he feared he was seriously injured after falling from an escalator or one of the higher levels of the centre.

He said: "There were people screaming, kids crying and angry parents."

Mr Joti said after the case: "I feel unhappy the case was ever brought. A lot of money and time has been lost."

"I have no regrets and I would join a die-in or any other form of peaceful protest again."