A MAN accused of threatening to chop off a photographer's fingers during a £10,000 robbery was close to tears when a jury cleared him.

Sean Harman mouthed "thank you" after the not guilty verdict, blew a kiss to the panel of eight men and four women, and said: "I could kiss you all."

Giving evidence and being cross-examined earlier in the day, and having the allegation put to him, he told a court: "That's not me - I'm a decent person."

Qualified electrician Mr Harman said: "The only knife I have ever carried about with me is a Stanley knife when I'm at work, in my work trousers."

He was described by prosecutor Laurie Scott as "someone who is prepared to use violence, who will threaten violence, who will demand things and be aggressive."

The 35-year-old replied from the witness box: "No, you are so wrong. You know you're wrong, and I know you're wrong . . . it's not me. I look after people."

Teesside Crown Court has heard how he supplied models to the amateur glamour photographer for a "referral fee" after they met through his then-girlfriend.

The men got to know one another after Mr Harman's former partner took part in shoots at his workshop - where the 68-year-old also restored classic vehicles.

Mr Harman told the court that he knew many "pretty girls" who had posed for Nuts magazine and modelled at car shows, and introduced them to the photographer.

Ms Scott accused him of "getting money for absolutely nothing" by providing models, and suggested he saw the photographer as "a nice easy source of cash".

She said: "You got a bit greedy, and thought 'imagine what he would give me if I took a knife along' and that's what you did that day in September 2013."

Mr Harman, of Bishophill Junior, York, said: "I've never carried at knife. I never would threaten anyone. I would never have a knife on me, never ever."

He denied robbery, but has admitted conspiracy to assault occasioning actual bodily harm - plotting with friends to "smash his face in" the following year.

It is said he was angry and accused the complainant of being a paedophile after he was asked if he could supply "a schoolgirl" for a photo shoot.

During his evidence, the photographer admitted making the request, but insisted they discussed being “careful of her age” and denied the pictures were pornographic.

Mr Harman's former partner told the court that she had to prove her age before working with the photographer, and that she regarded him as "a caring friend".

Mr Harman, who has been behind bars on remand for six months awaiting the trial, was remanded back into custody until he is sentenced next month.