District Judge Charlotte Murphy delivered the not-guilty verdict after examining the evidence and CCTV footage from the scene. She stated that she was entirely satisfied the professional boxer believed it was necessary to use force to defend himself during the encounter.

The court heard that the incident occurred while Cordina was filling up his Land Rover at the garage. He noticed a man, identified as 33-year-old Jamie O'Brien, sitting on the pavement near the exit of the petrol station premises.

Cordina explained to the court that he initially believed O'Brien was simply a member of the public wanting a photograph. He called the individual over, but the situation quickly escalated when O'Brien allegedly responded by telling the boxer to approach him instead.

According to the testimony presented during the proceedings, O'Brien then barged into Cordina using his shoulder. The former world champion admitted that the aggressive interaction left him feeling genuinely threatened by the unexpected confrontation at the garage.

The boxer highlighted that O'Brien had kept his hands inside his pockets during the encounter. Cordina noted to the court that he had concerns regarding what people might carry on their person in modern day situations, heightening his sense of vulnerability.

CCTV footage played in the courtroom captured the moment O'Brien pushed Cordina with his shoulder during their initial exchange. The two-time IBF super-featherweight champion then responded with a single punch that knocked O'Brien to the ground.

Addressing the CCTV evidence, Judge Murphy emphasised that observers often misjudge fast-moving altercations by watching slow-motion replays. She pointed out that the defendant had only a split second to evaluate and react to the sudden shoulder barge.

Judge Murphy declared that a single, measured, and controlled punch was entirely proportionate under the specific circumstances of the case. She explicitly rejected any notion that the professional fighter was engaging in retaliation rather than immediate self-defence.

The judge noted that Cordina has lived in the public eye for many years and routinely interacts with fans and the general public. Consequently, she ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove the criminal charge to the required standard of proof.

Following her assessment, Judge Murphy officially found the defendant not guilty and dismissed the charge against him. A second charge of assault had already been dismissed earlier in the proceedings when the judge ruled there was no case to answer.

The legal proceedings highlighted the severe professional consequences Cordina faced as a result of the police investigation. The 34-year-old revealed in court that a criminal conviction would have almost certainly resulted in the revocation of his boxing licence.

Cordina explained that the constant threat to his livelihood heavily influenced how he conducted himself in public on a daily basis. Maintaining his clean record was essential for him to continue competing at the highest levels of professional combat sports.

The February incident had immediate and damaging ramifications for Cordina's professional boxing career earlier this year. The controversy and ongoing police investigation directly contributed to him being denied entry into the United States for a scheduled bout.

That cancelled trip across the Atlantic was intended to facilitate a high-profile WBO lightweight title clash. Missing out on the opportunity denied the Welsh fighter a crucial shot at becoming a prestigious two-weight world champion.

Jamie O'Brien, the other individual involved in the Pentwyn garage altercation, had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating. Police launched a formal investigation into the episode after video footage of the street dispute circulated widely online.

Cordina stands as one of Wales's most notable modern boxing talents, having captured world honours in the super-featherweight division. His journey in the sport has featured numerous notable victories on international stages before the events in Pentwyn temporarily derailed his momentum.

The resolution of the court case clears a significant legal cloud that has hung over the athlete for months. With the verdict now delivered, Cordina can direct his complete focus back toward rebuilding his professional career within the lightweight division.

The legal outcome concludes a challenging chapter for the former champion, who has maintained his innocence throughout the investigative and judicial process. The ruling at Cardiff Magistrates' Court restores his legal standing without a criminal record.

Legal representatives for both parties acknowledged the conclusion of the trial as the final step in the matter. Cordina leaves the court system fully exonerated of the assault charge related to the petrol station incident in February.

The legal proceedings commenced following an incident involving an individual named Jamie O'Brien at a Texaco garage located in the Pentwyn area of Cardiff. The altercation came to public attention days later after a video filmed by a witness at the petrol station was published online by WalesOnline.

During the court proceedings, prosecutor Alex Orndal detailed the sequence of events captured on CCTV footage which spanned several minutes. The visual evidence showed Cordina filling up his vehicle before walking over to O'Brien, who was standing on a nearby pavement.

According to the prosecution, O'Brien pushed Cordina with his shoulder during their initial interaction at the scene. Cordina subsequently punched O'Brien with sufficient force to knock him to the ground, before proceeding to push him repeatedly while he was down.

Orndal told the court that Cordina had initiated the confrontation and was not protecting himself, but rather retaliating against the other man. The situation escalated further as aggression developed from O'Brien following the initial exchange of blows.

The court heard evidence that Cordina raised a golf club while O'Brien lunged at him, leading to a number of further blows being exchanged by the individuals. O'Brien was eventually restrained and posed no further threat, though Cordina threw an additional punch at him.

Initially, the former world champion faced two distinct counts of assault by beating stemming from the February incident. However, Judge Charlotte Murphy dismissed the second charge part-way into the trial after ruling that there was no case to answer.

When interviewed by police on 11 March, Cordina formally denied the charges brought against him regarding the altercation. He explained to officers that he had initially noticed O'Brien staring at him and initially thought the individual simply wanted a photograph.

Cordina stated during his police interview that, having been shoved by O'Brien, he felt threatened by the escalation. He claimed that he punched the man later out of instinct due to O'Brien's sudden actions at the petrol station.

Furthermore, Cordina told police investigators that O'Brien had threatened to stab him during the confrontation. He also alleged that O'Brien made threats to blow up both his own house and his mother's house.

Defence barrister Tom Crowther KC presented arguments suggesting that O'Brien had been identified from the video circulating online by family members. Crowther raised concerns regarding O'Brien's behaviour and suggested the incident may have been a setup orchestrated against the boxer.

During the hearing, Crowther asked investigating officer PC Samuel Penman to review the video footage that had circulated online. The defence argued it was apparent that individuals were watching and waiting for Cordina at the location.

Officer Penman told the court that while it was not entirely obvious from the footage, he agreed that the person filming appeared to have started recording before any physical altercation began. Penman also admitted it was a mistake not to question O'Brien's sister about her concerns.

The court had previously been told that O'Brien's sister informed police her brother hated Cordina and she feared he had sought the boxer out. The officer acknowledged failing to follow up properly on her claims regarding a potential vendetta.

Testifying in his own defence, Cordina explained to the court that members of the public recognised him multiple times every day. He noted that interactions were generally positive, with people frequently shaking his hand or asking for a photograph.

However, the court heard that approximately a fortnight prior to the petrol station incident, police had informed Cordina of a threat to his life. The defendant stated that this warning left him deeply shocked and worried for his safety.

Cordina denied having any prior personal knowledge of O'Brien, despite suggestions that the two men might have boxed together previously. Explaining his actions, he told the court he was merely reacting to feeling threatened rather than seeking trouble.

Asked about pushing O'Brien down and telling him not to do it again, Cordina maintained he was acting in self-protection. The defence also presented several character statements supporting the boxer, including comments from his agent Ian Bird.

Additionally, the Llanrumney Phoenix boxing club submitted a statement in support of Cordina, describing the former champion as an outstanding role model. Judge Murphy adjourned the hearing following the conclusion of evidence submissions in the case.

Judge Charlotte Murphy is scheduled to deliver her final judgement in the trial on Tuesday, 20 October. Legal arguments and witness testimonies concluded following the dismissal of the second assault charge earlier in the proceedings.