A MAN accused of setting fire to his bedroom while his girlfriend was inside after a six-hour alcohol binge has been cleared of all charges at a trial.

However, reformed alcoholic Anthony Moroney, 40, was told by Judge John Walford: "There are several lessons you could learn from this prosecution, and I am sure you recognise what those are.

"One of them is not to drink in that sort of way again and perhaps think in terms of a rather more productive life."

Mr Moroney, of Newton Close, Redcar, east Cleveland, told Judge Walford: "I am on the right track now."

During a two-day trial, a court heard how Mr Moroney and girlfriend Gemma Nichols, 21, had spent most of the morning and afternoon last Christmas Eve lying in bed, watching television, sharing seven litres of strong cider and smoking cigarettes.

Mr Moroney told the jury at Teesside Crown Court he had been an alcoholic who also needed medication for panic attacks.

It had been alleged that he deliberately started at least six fires in the bedroom of his home and at one point left the room and closed the door on Miss Nichols.

Mr Moroney yesterday said there had been only one fire and that it must have been started by a discarded cigarette when he dozed off.

He admitted lunging at Miss Nichols when she called the police, but denied causing her any injuries.

The jury found Mr Moroney not guilty of unlawful imprisonment and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, on the directions of Judge Walford, and cleared him of arson, being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.