The family of a former Kingston mayor “went through hell”, after their innocent son was charged over a cricket match brawl.

Sharukh Mirza, the son of former Kingston mayor Councillor Shiraz Mirza, and his Wimbledon Park team-mate Ali Jaffery were charged with assaulting Nicholas Langridge during a match against Catford Wanderers.

But Kingston Crown Court found the pair not guilty on July 25 – exactly a year to the day of the alleged fight at Manor Park, Old Malden.

Mr Mirza, who lives with his parents, wife and one-year-old daughter in Chessington, said he was overwhelmed by the verdict.

He said: “The past few weeks have been the worst. I have not slept.”

He added that in his darker moments he feared imprisonment and considered making arrangements for his wife and baby.

His father Shiraz said the past year felt like his “whole family was on trial”.

He said: “We have gone through hell. It was like we were in mourning. This was the worst moment of my life. It was extremely stressful.”

During the trial the court heard the clash was allegedly sparked by insults and a racist taunt, which ended with punches and blows with cricket bats.

Coun Mirza added the family had no problem with the police, but in this situation they “almost destroyed our life”.

He said: “I am just grateful the way it turned out. We need to move on but the police need to apologise and the CPS needs to look at evidence before they charge people.”

But his son, who captained the Wimbledon Park side, vowed to keep playing cricket and said he and Mr Jaffery play more than ever.

A CPS London spokesman said: “Before the jury trial began at Kingston Crown Court, the CPS had reviewed the case file on a number of occasions and the decision was made that there was sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and that it was in the public interest to prosecute as the victim had suffered significant injury.

“If the judge considers that a defendant has no case to answer, they have the power to stop a trial and direct an acquittal. That did not happen in this case. The judge was satisfied that the jury should decide after a full trial.”

Sharukh Mirza, 30, was cleared of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, while Mr Jaffery, 30, of Thornton Heath was cleared of unlawful and malicious wounding.