RYAN Bish toasted freedom today by expressing his regret over the murder of Leigh Shaw.

Mr Bish, found not guilty of murder and manslaughter, told the Argus: "Mrs Shaw knows the truth now. She knows what really happened.

"I'm sorry for what Colin done."

Colin Stacey, a 30-year-old Brighton and Hove Albion supporter, kicked Mr Shaw to death because he was a fan of West Ham United.

As Colin Stacey was starting a life sentence for Mr Shaw's murder, Mr Bish, 23, was celebrating with his family and friends, having served 17 months on remand in Lewes Prison.

It followed a five-week trial in which witnesses told how father-of-two MrShaw was first attacked in Whitehawk's Valley Social Club and then repeatedly stamped on by Stacey outside.

Mr Bish was charged after being picked out at an identity parade as having kicked the victim.

In court, Stacey blamed Mr Bish for the attack outside the club, but Mr Bish said he had tried to stop Stacey. His case was successfully argued by his counsel, Camden Pratt, QC.

There were scenes of joy at the rear of Lewes Crown Court as Mr Bish was released.

His tearful mother, Valerie Roche, said: "He's now going to take some time getting himself back together and then go back to work as a builder with my husband."

There had been allegations of witness intimidation throughout the five-week trial.

Mrs Roche said: "Justice has been done. The truth has come out and this has shown that the people of Whitehawk will not be bullied."

"Our thoughts are with Mrs Shaw and her family."

Mr Bish's sister Jo, 25-year-old teacher, had flown from Singapore where she works in an infant school. Weeping outside the court, she said: "We are just so relieved."

As Mr Shaw's widow was whisked away from the court by a taxi, Det Chief Insp George Smith, who headed the inquiry, said: "The murder was a tragedy for the estate as well as the Shaw family.

"After the attack there was very real fear in Whitehawk. People were reluctant to come forward and say what really happened.

"I am aware of the allegations of witness intimidation immediately afterwards and also in the run-up to the trial.

"These allegations are being investigated."

After Stacey was sentenced, police kept his and Mr Bish's families apart.

Born in 1975, Mr Bish grew up in Whitehawk, attending the local junior school and later the former Stanley Deason secondary, until 1990.

Single with two sisters, he lives with his mother in Limney Road.

Mrs Roche said: "Ryan's only crime was drinking with the wrong man."

Stacey was found guilty by the jury on Wednesday after deliberating for more than nine hours over three days.

The acquittal of Mr Bish yesterday came on the jury's fourth day of deliberation.

They spent a total of ten hours forty minutes reaching their verdicts, at the end of one of the longest murder trials at Lewes.

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