A Southampton man accused of smuggling drugs into the country has been found not guilty by a unanimous verdict.

Harry Lightbourne, 56, was formally acquitted yesterday afternoon after a weeklong trial in the Supreme Court. Prosecutors had alleged that Mr Lightbourne had brought in more than $320,000 worth of cannabis and cannabis resin in an incident last year — an offence which he steadfastly denied.

However after a few hours of deliberation yesterday, the jury delivered a unanimous verdict in his favour on all four charges. Acting Puisne Judge Shade Subair-Williams subsequently told Mr Lightbourne that he was free to go.

While he remained silent upon the reading of the verdict, sounds of celebration could be heard shortly after he stepped outside of the building.

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