After saying all day he would not give us a statement, Adrian Yalland has released a statement:

There are two sides to every story – especially this one. The video shows only three things clearly.

1. Me repeatedly walking away from an aggressive and abusive man who admits to mental health and anger problems, on whom I had just served legal papers relating to a libel action.

2. The same man stealing the phone from my outstretched hands on which I had just taken a photo of the house I just served papers at.

3. Me picking myself off the floor.

After having been pushed to the floor, I was punched in the back of the head by a second individual, and had a hand forced over my face, whilst I believe a second attempt was made to steal my phone. Whilst pinned down, and fearing further attack, I acted proportionately, in self defence, and only to allow me to escape – which I did immediately. The only person punched was me.

I am pleased a witness came forward to confirm my version of events, and I therefore look forward to the police concluding their investigations with interest, particularly their view on whether there is a case for perverting the course of public justice by making false allegations in order to cause an arrest.

Yalland admits to biting one of his alleged assailants, he is counter-claiming that he is the victim who was attacked. Guido is inclined after hearing his side of the story to give Adrian the benefit of the doubt. Though amusingly, Yalland did once organise a junket for Tory MPs to Equatorial Guinea, where the local tyrant has been accused of… cannibalism…

UPDATE: April 26th: Yalland says the police will not be pressing charges against him.