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A man who staged a rooftop protest after being accused of raping a woman he met on the dating website Plenty of Fish has been found not guilty.

Andrew Fewster, 48, has been cleared of rape and sexual assault following a trial at Hull Crown Court.

In March, with his trial just three months away, Mr Fewster daubed, 'Helped me please' and 'I'm innocent' on the roof of a building next to Centre 88, in Saner Street, off Anlaby Road in west Hull.

He says he was "driven" to such lengths in a bid to prove his innocence.

After the jury delivered its verdict, Mr Fewster, of West Parade, west Hull, fired a warning shot to other men using dating sites to meet women.

Outside of court, he told the Mail: "We are vulnerable as well as them.

"I knew truth would prevail eventually. Lonely hearts, be careful."

His roof-top protest lasted three hours and caused the street to be closed by police, Humberside Fire and Rescue and ambulance. Residents were not allowed into their homes.

At times he lay on the roof and even started dancing and trying to do handstands while shouting "he wanted to clear his name".

Onlookers watched as Mr Fewster, who was covered in the white paint, continued to smoke cigarettes while holding onto aerials on the building and slipped on the tiles as the rain started to pour.

Throughout his trial, Mr Fewster said he had started chatting with the woman months before the night of the allegations because he was "interesting in seeing if he could get real chemistry and maybe form a relationship long-term."

She claimed she was raped by Mr Fewster at his home last year. They agreed to meet after exchanging texts and phone calls.

Mr Fewster met the woman at St Stephen's Shopping Centre, and the pair bought pizza and bottles of wine, before walking to his flat.

The woman claimed they "were kissing each other, not French kissing, but kissing, there was no other touching or intimacy." But she alleged Mr Fewster then forced himself on her, undressed her, raped and sexually assaulted her.

Mr Fewster advanced a different account of events, which was believed by jurors. He said he had fetched a quilt from the bedroom to "put on top of us", and had fallen asleep after having consensual sex.

He said he was awoken by a police officer standing over him.

Mr Fewster, asked for his immediate response at that point, replied: "I said, 'You what, mate? I couldn't have been nicer to that woman'."

The three-day trial heard how the woman had called police on the 101 non emergency number from the flat alleging she had been raped.

The operator heard a woman say, "You shouldn't have done it", and "I told you no".

Prosecutor David Gordon said a male voice, which he claimed belonged to Mr Fewster, could be heard saying, "You're sexy, I couldn't help myself."

Leaving court, Mr Fewster blew a sigh of relief and said: "I'm now going home for a cup of tea and a cuddle with my partner."