A CYCLIST studying at Oxford University who hit a researcher with a bike lock has been cleared of causing actual bodily harm.

Luke Wilmshurst, of Banbury Road, Oxford, was yesterday found not guilty of the assault and causing criminal damage during a violent argument outside Oxford University’s biochemistry department.

The 41-year-old was a masters student on June 15 last year when he struck Sapan Gandhi over the head with a metal D-lock.

But Mr Wilmshurst told a jury in Oxford Crown Court the blow was accidental, and it cleared him. He was also cleared of intentionally or recklessly breaking a windscreen wiper off Mr Gandhi’s car.