A builder convicted of a brutal homophobic attack during Pride has been cleared of carrying out an earlier robbery.

Jamie Pearce stamped on Victor Almeida's face after seeing him kissing his boyfriend on Brighton beach.

The attack took place after Mr Almeida had left the Wild Fruits party at Creation night club as thousands of visitors packed into the city for Pride weekend in August 2004.

Pearce, 25, of Brunswick Terrace, Hove, was arrested and a trial in May found him guilty of causing Mr Almeida actual bodily harm, which he denied.

The Argus carried reports of the week-long hearing but was prevented from reporting the fact Pearce was convicted by the jury.

An order was made banning publication of the verdict until after he had been tried for allegedly helping Kai Griffiths rob Stephen Harrison on Brighton beach.

A judge ruled publishing the verdict in Mr Almeida's case could prejudice Pearce's right to a fair trial in Mr Harrison's case.

Pearce was yesterday found not guilty at Lewes Crown Court of robbing Mr Harrison in the early hours of July 22, 2004.

Griffiths, 26, of North Road, Portslade, was found guilty of robbing Mr Harrison of his £245 social security money and will be sentenced on Monday.

The court heard a knife was held to Mr Harrison's throat which was slashed as he was punched and kicked by two men on the beach at the end of West Street.

The jury heard blood stains on Griffiths' Brazil football shirt and trousers matched the victim's.

No blood was found on Pearce's clothes or a knife he had on him when he was arrested the following day.

Mr Harrison immediately identified Griffiths but later failed to pick out Pearce during a video identity parade.

Pearce told the jury Mr Harrison had a bloody nose and informed him someone had tried to take his ecstasy pills off him when he approached him to buy drugs on the beach.

Pearce thanked the jury for clearing him as he was remanded in custody to await sentence for the homophobic attack at a later date.

Judge David Rennie then agreed to an application from The Argus to lift the order banning publication of the verdict in that case.

During Pearce's trial in May the jury heard Mr Almeida had gone to the beach with his friend Adam Scott. Mr Almeida said: "I was with Adam and we kissed. I felt a small stone hit my back and thought it was an accident.

"It happened twice more and then a larger stone hit me on the head and I realised it was not a coincidence."

Mr Almeida said he was scared but went over to talk to two men and a woman sitting further up the beach to ask why they were throwing stones at him. He said the group, which included Pearce, looked at him in a challenging way and made homophobic comments.

Mr Scott said: "Victor went over and the men both thumped down on his head at the same time. He dropped to the floor and they carried on punching and kicking."

Other people intervened and the two men and the woman walked off but one man ran back and aimed a kick at Mr Almeida who was still on the ground.

Sergeant Mark Andrews, of the police anti-victimisation unit, said yesterday: "The assault not only affected the person who was viciously attacked, it caused considerable apprehension throughout the gay community. I hope this will send a strong message that homophobia will not be tolerated in this city."