Caesar Taze Grahame walked away from the Supreme court yesterday a free man after a jury found him not guilty of trying to set his Bermuda Housing Corporation home on fire in 2003.

It took the six-woman, six-man jury three hours of deliberation to make the unanimous declaration. Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons told the jury in order to find the 31-year-old guilty of placing explosive substances with intent to destroy property at his North Shore Road, Devonshire home on September 15, 2003, they had to feel sure he intended to cause damage.

Gasoline, lit candles, a cigarette lighter and a gasoline-soaked towel were found inside the apartment, but it was not proven he intended to start a fire to damage property.

?You must be satisfied the defendant put those items there with intent to damage property,? Mrs. Justice Simmons said.

The jury found Grahame guilty of trespassing and causing unlawful damage to the property on September 16, 2003 ? shortly after he had been released by Police.

Crown counsel Juan Wolffe said the maximum penalty for trespassing was a $350 fine or six months imprisonment or both if found guilty of this offence in the Supreme Court. And he said Grahame faced another two years for unlawful damage.

However, defence lawyer Larry Scott said his client did not deserve to go to prison, and should pay BHC back the $300 worth of damage he caused.

Mrs. Justice Simmons discharged Grahame on the trespassing charge and said he was clearly desperate after fighting a losing battle with BHC.

And she ordered that $30 a month be deducted from Grahame?s monthly pay cheque until $300 was paid to BHC.

?This may take a little while, so if a month goes by please take $30 directly to BHC,? she said.

After Grahame left the court, he declined to speak to the press.

In his closing arguments, Mr. Wolffe said everyone had bills to pay but they do not try to set their homes on fire at the threat of eviction.

He said Insp. Anthony Mouchette saw Grahame pick up three lit candles, under a bowl of gasoline placed on the front door and blow them out.

But Mr. Scott said it would have been impossible for Insp. Mouchette to see what his client was doing through a small crack in the door.

?He knew he was being John Q (Public). I am going to hold them all off until someone hears me,? Mr. Scott said of his client.