Rugby club and drama students in brawl at uni

A drama student at the University of Kent ended up with a fractured cheek after an incident with members of the rugby team.

The two groups had clashed after a night at the university’s nightclub, The Venue, which led to “homophobic” taunts from the drama students towards one of the players.

But last week a jury found Teren Sheldon not guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm on one of the drama students.

Earlier, the judge, Recorder Jonathan Higgs QC, threw out a second assault charge against another student.

Drama student Joseph Rawbone told a jury at Canterbury Crown Court how his pals had been heading home at 2am and were talking about the rugby team’s alleged “initiation” ceremonies.

He said: “There had been rumours which involved oral sex. It made us laugh. As we were talking there were four rugby boys behind us. One of them ran past us and we kind of made a joke.”

The prosecution had alleged it was Sheldon, 24, formerly of Tunstall Road, Canterbury, who ran past the group.

Mr Rawbone claimed that Sheldon confronted them and there had been a confrontation between Mr Rawbone’s friend, Elliott Liburd, and Sheldon.

The incident resulted in Mr Liburd allegedly being hit with a small wheelie bin container and Mr Rawbone being punched in the face so hard it caused a displaced fracture his cheek.

But the judge ruled there was no case to answer on one of the assault charges and the jury found Sheldon not guilty of GBH on Mr Rawbone.

Sheldon said there was confrontation and the drama group started on him and he defended himself by lashing out.

Former rugby club captain Rory Young, who was with his friend earlier that night, said the initiation sex claims were just “myth and rumours”.