Meaney's relief at decision

The comedian accused of trying to grab a security guard's gun in an airport scuffle has been cleared of all charges.

Kevin Meaney said he was "relieved" that his ordeal was over.

The comic claimed he was trying to retrieve his two-year-old daughter after she ran off inside San Francisco Airport on March 3, and that his moves were misinterpreted.

Writing on an American stand-up newsgroup, the 45-year-old comic said: "It was not an easy process. First, there was the embarrassment of being hand-cuffed in front of my wife and daughter for something I didn't do, I was then taken to an airport detention centre where I was questioned. I finished the day in jail where I gave away my sweater to a shivering alcoholic."

"What we went through, I would not wish on my worst enemy. "

At the time, guardsman Robert Paoletti said: "The majority of the problem was based on his conduct - he was very loud and caused a disturbance."

Published: 19 May 2002