THE man accused of setting fire to HMS Osprey on Portland has walked free after a jury found him not guilty of arson.

Mark Henry Matthews, a roofer who today celebrates his 29th birthday, spoke of his delight at being found innocent.

In a statement on behalf of Mr Matthews, who had been remanded in custody since his arrest in February, solicitor Ian Graham said yesterday: "Mark would like to thank all his family and friends who have stood by him through this difficult time, and also his legal team.

"He wants to thank the jury for believing his account which he has first gave to police on his arrest.

"He now wants to get on with his life."

Mr Matthews, of Courtlands Road, Portland, threw back his head in relief at Dorchester Crown Court after he was found not guilty of arson, and arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered, on January 27 this year.

The jury took more than five hours to deliver their verdict, which was achieved by a majority of 10.

During the five-day trial, they heard the prosecution allege that Mr Matthews set fire to the accommodation block of HMS Osprey in a bid to stop up to 750 asylum seekers moving in.

Four youths, who could not be named because of their age, were also arrested for arson but released without charge when they agreed to give evidence against Matthews in court.

They said that Matthews enlisted their help to enter the unused building, before pouring petrol on the bar and igniting some bunting which he threw on the fuel.

In his defence, Matthews said he was not racist and went to HMS Osprey to reason with the youths, who he claimed were hassling his ill parents by throwing stones at cars.

He said he offered to buy them petrol for their scramble bikes if they would play somewhere else.

He said he did not need their help to get in, as he had previously worked at HMS Osprey for 18 months. He said they "must have put their heads together" to concoct a story which implicated him.

No forensic evidence linked Matthews with the scene and heat damage to his clothes could have been explained by his work as a roofer using heated tools, the jury heard.