Meerkat expert dismissed despite being cleared of glassing colleague at Christmas party

A meerkat expert accused of smashing a glass into a monkey handlers face after a love triangle with a llama keeper has been cleared of charges.

The alleged incident took place at a 2014 London Zoo Christmas party with meerkat handler Caroline Westlake charged and convicted over thrusting a wine glass into the cheek of monkey handler Kate Sanders – causing a 1cm wound.

It was revealed in Westminster Magistrates' Court that Sanders was at the time dating llama keeper Adam Davies, who Westlake had previously dated.

It was also revealed that Westlake had overheard Sanders insulting her looks while in the bathrooms at the work function.