A Kelowna, B.C., Mountie has been acquitted of assaulting a man almost two years ago.

Constable Geoff Mantler was found not guilty of assaulting Manjeet Singh Bhatti on Aug. 30, 2010.

Mr. Bhatti accused Constable Mantler of punching him in the face during an arrest, causing his nose to bleed.

In his decision, Judge Mark Takahashi of the B.C. Provincial Court called Mr. Bhatti’s testimony inconsistent, unreliable, vague and unsure.

Constable Mantler faces a second assault trial this fall for a January, 2011, incident when he was caught on camera kicking Buddy Tavares in the face.

He remains suspended from the force without pay.