A former teacher has been cleared of attempted murder after it was alleged he tried to kill a friend by hitting him over the head with a hammer during a drunken attack.

A jury at St Albans Crown Court took less than an hour yesterday (Thursday) to find Richard Hurworth, 43, not guilty of the charge.

However, he was found guilty of GBH with intent after previously admitting ABH at St Albans Crown Court.

Hurworth said he remembered little of the incident which left Archibald Gwata rushed to Watford General with a suspected fractured skull on Thursday, October 21.

He said he could recall striking towards Mr Gwata’s head after finding him in his bedroom at the multi occupancy house in Whippendell Road, Watford, but denied the charges of attempted murder and GBH.

Hurworth was remanded in custody for sentence next month.