A 35-YEAR-OLD Dursley man was cleared today of going to a man's house and robbing him of £150 in cash at knifepoint.
David Bucci, of Rosebery Park, was found not guilty by the Gloucester Crown Court jury after 30 minutes' deliberation.
Judge Jamie Tabor QC discharged Mr Bucci from the dock.
During the two day trial, it was alleged Mr Bucci went to the Dursley home of Graham Harris, knocked on his door and having been let in hit Mr Harris and then pushed a knife to his throat.
But Mr Bucci denied the charge and said that he had gone to Harris' home to buy cannabis on the recommendation of a friend.
He said after an argument about the drugs it was Harris who turned on him and grabbed him by the throat.
Mr Bucci denied robbing Mr Harris of the money on May 23 this year.
Yesterday, the prosecutor James Tucker told the court that Mr Bucci had gone to Mr Harris' home in Severn Road at about 5.30pm.
"He went round the back and knocked on the door. Mr Harris let him in."
Mr Tucker said at that point Mr Bucci hit Mr Harris on the side of the head, causing a bruise and pushed against him.
"He bent him over a work surface and put a knife to Mr Harris' throat," he said.
Mr Tucker said Mr Bucci had demanded money and said he would kill Mr Harris if he didn't hand it over.
The court heard how Mr Harris fumbled in his back pocket and started to hand over the cash but Mr Bucci was allegedly so impatient, he grabbed the cash and left.
Cross-examining the first witness Graham Harris, defence solicitor Joe Maloney suggested that Bucci had in fact asked him (Mr Harris) to supply him with some cannabis.
"No, he didn't," said Mr Harris.
Mr Maloney suggested that Bucci gave him £25 for the drugs. Mr Harris denied this and Mr Malony said he (Harris) had produced electronic scales.
"No, it's a fantasy," said Mr Harris.
"Are you a drug dealer?" said Mr Maloney. "No, I certainly am not," replied Mr Harris.
The court heard how Mr Harris had been arrested in July for being in possesion of Class A drugs, namely cocaine, with intent to supply and faced proceedings.
It also heard he faced procceedings for possession of cannabis and money laundering.
In evidence, Mr Bucci said he had gone to Mr Harris' house to get some "weed".
After knocking on his door, he asked if he could "score" some drugs from him and Harris had said "ssshhh" and they went inside.
He said Mr Harris produced some scales and he gave him £25.
After saying that he was not happy with the amount he had been given, Mr Bucci said Mr Harris turned on him and grabbed him.
No mention was made of any knife.
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