Raymond Sculley, pictured, was found not guilty of murder and manslaughter after a trial at the Old Bailey in London

A painter and decorator has been cleared of killing a Czech man in a street attack which sparked fears of post-Brexit violence.

Raymond Sculley was accused of beating popular catering manager Zdenek Makar to death with a bicycle lock after their paths briefly crossed at a chicken shop in east London on the evening of September 21 last year.

After the killing of the young professional, known as Zed, Prime Minister Theresa May offered her condolences to her Czech counterpart amid fears the incident was post-Brexit violence.

Following a trial at the Old Bailey, Sculley, 29, from Tower Hamlets, was found not guilty of murdering the 'big-hearted' victim.

He was also acquitted of an alternative charge of manslaughter.

Jurors had heard the 31-year-old victim worked at the Royal Institute of British Architects and was on his way home from drinks with colleagues when Sculley attacked him.

Sculley had spent the evening playing video games, smoking cannabis and chatting with friends before he went to Perfect Chicken in East India Dock Road just as Mr Makar arrived.

Seeing their bicycles strewn on the pavement outside, Mr Makar allegedly joked to one of Sculley's friends: 'What's this? A bike gang?'

After the killing of Zdenek Makar, pictured, Prime Minister Theresa May offered her condolences to her Czech counterpart

It led to a minor spat with the youth inside the chicken shop before Sculley stepped in and put Mr Makar into a 'quasi-headlock', jurors heard.

Sculley, wearing paint-splattered work clothes, was seen on CCTV footage acting aggressively towards the suited hospitality manager, who was trying to calm the situation, the court heard.

As Mr Makar continued on his way, the defendant and his friends followed on bikes, the court heard.

Prosecutor Lisa Wilding QC had said: 'Mr Makar obviously believed he was being followed and turned to confront the group.

Sculley, pictured, was seen on CCTV footage acting aggressively towards hospitality manager Mr Makar, the court heard

'He put his food down and took his jacket off. He was alone and unarmed.

'Raymond Sculley then removed a bicycle lock, a heavy metal chain attached to a solid locking end that he took from his own bike, and approached the helpless Mr Makar.

'He swung the improvised weapon and struck Mr Makar to the left side of his head, catching him behind the ear and knocking him to the ground where he then struck him at least twice more.'

As Mr Makar lay dying in the street, Sculley stood over him and allegedly said: 'Look what you made me do.'

Sculley, pictured, handed himself in saying he felt 'destroyed' and 'like I've destroyed potential lives and future careers'

Another passing cyclist saw the end of the attack and dialled 999 as residents rushed to help but Mr Makar was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Two days later, two of Sculley's friends went to police to report him for the attack.

The same day, Sculley handed himself in saying he felt 'destroyed' and 'like I've destroyed potential lives and future careers'.

Giving evidence, Sculley denied murdering Mr Makar, claiming he did not intent to kill him and was acting in self defence.