A man accused of breaking into a home and cutting a woman with a knife was found not guilty yesterday.

The defendant, Gerald Hall, 54, said the victim, Perri Trott, had concocted the story in order to win her husband's affections back.

During the three-day trial Mr. Hall denied that he broke into Ms Trott's home on November 7, 2008, and sliced her in the thumb.

Mr. Hall told the Supreme Court that Ms Trott made the story up to get her husband — Mr. Hall's cousin — to feel sympathy for her and return to the marital home; something that happened soon after he was arrested.

He added that he was in Somerset the night of the incident.

Earlier defence lawyer Rick Woolridge repeatedly accused Ms Trott of making the entire incident up, and cutting both herself and her window screen to make it look like she'd been the victim of a crime.

She denied fabricating the story and told the court she was shaken awake by a masked man, armed with a knife, who told her: "I've come to harm you, I've got a knife," before cutting her on the thumb as she tried to defend herself.

Ms Trott said the burglar's face was covered but she knew it was Mr. Hall because of his voice. She also denied "fabricating" the story.

She said the incident left her feeling "terrified for my life".

Yesterday, the jury found Mr. Hall not guilty of aggravated burglary and not guilty of burglary.

Mr. Woolridge said: "The jury has spoken. It is unfortunate that in excess of two years of a man's life could be impacted with the pressure that a trial brings. The wheels of justice have turned despite the slowness."