A Dagenham father-of-four has been cleared of trying to kill his ex-partner’s new lover in a frenzied knife attack outside a Barking social club.

Tony Butler was said to have repeatedly slashed Wayne Harris’ face in the car park of Scrattons Sports and Social Club on Morrison Road.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard how Mr Harris, 48, suffered wounds to his head and face and spent at least three days recovering in hospital.

But Butler, 45, of Broad Street, walked free after a jury cleared him of attempted murder and a lesser alternative charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent.

Mr Harris told the court he had no recollection of the attack and claimed he had not seen Butler on the day of the attack on December 8 last year.

Butler had broken up with the mother of his four children Kellie Taylor in 2009 after a 14 year relationship and Ms Taylor started seeing Mr Harris.