Andrew Fewster, 48, whose Plenty of Fish date accused him of sexual assault and rape has been cleared at Hull Crown Court

A 48-year-old man who staged a rooftop protest after his Plenty of Fish date accused him of sexual assault and rape has been cleared.

Andrew Fewster, 48, daubed 'Helped me please' and 'I'm innocent' on the roof of a building in Hull, East Yorkshire, in March - three months before his trial.

He said he was 'driven' to do the protest as he tried to prove his innocence - and yesterday was found not guilty of rape and sexual assault at Hull Crown Court.

After the verdict was delivered, he told the Hull Daily Mail: 'We are vulnerable as well as them. I knew truth would prevail eventually. Lonely hearts, be careful.'

Mr Fewster claimed he had been talking to the woman months before the night in question to see if he could 'get real chemistry' and a long-term relationship.

They agreed to meet after exchanging texts and calls and bought pizza and wine at St Stephen's Shopping Centre in the city before walking to his flat.

The woman claimed they were kissing with 'no other touching or intimacy', but alleged Mr Fewster then forced himself on her, undressed her and raped her.

Mr Fewster daubed 'Helped me please' and 'I'm innocent' on a building's roof in Hull in March

Mr Fewster's protest over facing sexual offence charges came three months before his trial

However Mr Fewster claimed that he had gone to get a quilt from the bedroom to 'put on top of us' and had gone to asleep after they had consensual sex.

He said he was woken up by a police officer standing over him – and, asked for his response, said: 'You what, mate? I couldn't have been nicer to that woman.'

The court heard the woman called police on 101 alleging she had been raped, but the operator heard a woman say 'You shouldn't have done it' and 'I told you no'.

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

Mr Fewster carried out a three-hour protest that saw residents not allowed into their homes

Mr Fewster said outside Hull Crown Court that he 'knew truth would prevail eventually'

In March, three months before the trial, Mr Fewster carried out a three-hour rooftop protest that saw streets shut and residents not allowed into their homes.

Police, fire crews and paramedics all attended as Mr Fewster lay on the roof, danced and tried to do handstands while shouting 'he wanted to clear his name'.

Covered in white paint, he carried on smoking cigarettes while holding onto aerials on the building - and slipped on the tiles as rain started to fall.

Leaving court yesterday, Mr Fewster, of West Parade, west Hull, gave a sigh of relief and said: 'I'm now going home for a cup of tea and a cuddle with my partner.'