FOREST poet Dave Harvey has thanked the friends who stood by him during a two-year ordeal over sex allegations.
The 77-year-old of Parkend was cleared of all nine charges by a jury at Bristol Crown Court last week.
Former freeminer Mr Harvey told the Review: “It has been the worst two years of my life and I just want to thank my friends and family for helping me through this ordeal.
“I’ve been found innocent by a jury and I hope there will be no newspaper talk – I just want to put this behind me.
“I now want to try and rebuild my life.
“When the jury said I was not guilty on all charges, I broke down and cried like a baby.
“I’ve been able to get a proper night’s sleep for the first time in two years – I feel like I’ve been reborn.
“There has been a lot of talk and it’s felt like guilty until proven innocent.
“I’m a freeminer and a free man.”
Mr Harvey had denied charges of sexual assault and a further allegation was dropped.