Colin Lewin, who has been cleared of murder, pictured with his daughterFACTORY worker Colin Lewin has been cleared of the savage murder of a beloved dad. Mr Lewin, 35, worked at Cooper-Avon Tyres in Melksham and was accused of murdering Swindon father-of-two Mick Love.

Mr Love, who was described as a "gentle giant", was stabbed to death in a robbery in September.

Mr Lewin, of Broad Street, Swindon, was arrested and charged with the murder but after an 11-day trial at Bristol Crown Court he was found not guilty on Friday.

The jury deliberated for 11 hours to reach their verdict.

As the foreman read out the words, gasps were heard around the courtroom.

Outside court Mr Lewin said: "It's been hell the last few months being away from my family and daughter.

"Swindon police have got the wrong man. The man is still out there."

Mr Love's family were too distraught to comment after the verdict but Detective Superintendent Paul Richards, of Swindon police, read a statement on their behalf.

"Michael was a loving son, husband, father and friend and nothing will ever compensate them for this terrible crime," he said.

"Michael will always be remembered with love."

Det Supt Richards confirmed Wiltshire police would review the file and then announce whether they will reinvestigate the murder.

Mr Lewin always denied stabbing the postal worker in a robbery in Cannon Street last year.

Throughout the trial he said the real killer was another man, Owen Bygraves.

Mobile phone records showed Mr Lewin had the dead man's mobile phone minutes after the attack but he insisted he bought it from Mr Bygraves.

CCTV footage also showed Mr Lewin near the murder scene on the night of the attack but he said he was driving around Swindon after an argument with his girlfriend.

"I did not see Mr Love while driving. I did not stab Mr Love, and I certainly did not rob Mr Love," he told the court during the trial.

An Avon worker from the same department as Mr Lewin said: "He worked the same shift as me and just seemed like a normal person.

"I couldn't believe he had done what they said he had.

"We used to chat and have a cigarette together, I couldn't comment on what he was like outside of work.

"I would be surprised if he came back to the factory. A lot came out at the trial that people didn't know about.

"He has been inside before, for some knife attacks.

"I don't think people knew that and he will have probably burnt a lot of his bridges."