A man has been cleared of the manslaughter of a man who died after a penis was scrawled on his face at a party.

Thomas Evans, 32, said he was acting in self defence when he punched Anthony Thompson, 26, on February 5 last year.

Today a jury at the Old Bailey delivered a not guilty verdict following a trial lasting more than two weeks.

The court heard Mr Thompson, of Derinton Road, Tooting, fell asleep on a chair at a party close to where he lived in Holmbury Court, Tooting.

Party host Vanessa Barrows, a childhood friend of the pair, drew a penis on his face with lipstick during the cocaine-fuelled party.

Witnesses said Mr Thompson, also known as Chillerman, took it in jest but began to challenge men in the room to fight.

Jurors heard Mr Evans, of Bordesley Road, Morden, claimed he left the flat to avoid the situation, but was followed outside.

They ended up in a scuffle outside the flats, with Mr Thompson ending up on the floor after a single punch.

He was taken to St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, Tooting, where he later died of a brain damage.

Mr Evans said in a police statement: "It was you know, like a Rocky film. He threw the first punch.

"I flung my left arm out. It was a straight reaction defence mechanism. I flung out a right arm and that hit him."

Mr Evans admitted he launched an additional assault on Mr Thompson before making off.

He handed himself into police custody after receiving news he was dead.