A DRUG dealer accused of beating a 24-year-old man and throwing him into the Thames has been acquitted.

A jury at Oxford Crown Court last Friday found Dexter Williams did not commit grievous bodily harm against Carlos Jameson near Friars Wharf.

The jury heard that Mr Williams, of Coriander Way, Greater Leys, went to meet Mr Jameson on May 10 this year.

The 26-year-old told jurors he had been at a house in Whitehouse Road when he planned to meet Mr Jameson to “sort out” drugs they were both due to sell.

He said he went to a nearby bridge but Mr Jameson did not turn up, so instead he sold drugs to “customers” on the bridge alone.

Mr Williams told the court he then went to another bridge near Friars Wharf, where he spoke with Mr Jameson who was with more “customers” waiting to buy drugs.

The defendant said the “atmosphere changed” and he began running to Folly Bridge and then to Donnington Bridge when he thought he was being chased.

He said he did not see Mr Jameson get attacked and only heard about it later when he was told he had been stabbed.

Mr Williams was cleared by the jury.