A CONVICTED arsonist and his family who maintain he is innocent say they believe potential new evidence should be considered by a court.

Shaun Traves, 34, was sentenced to four years in prison at Teesside Crown Court in August after he was convicted of burning down a barn in Helperby, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire. last year. The fire caused damage worth £100,000.

Traves had previously been convicted for setting fire to the same building in 2009.

However, his fiance and mother to his son, Laura Bland, has received a series of detailed messages, seen by The Northern Echo, from someone naming another person as the real culprit.

North Yorkshire Police have now interviewed and released that individual with no charges and the Crown Prosecution Service is not reevaluating the case.

But the information was not heard in court and Ms Bland and Traves' mother, Yvonne, are arguing that it should have been considered.

Traves has passed a message to The Northern Echo via Ms Bland, who looks after the couple's 18-month-old son, after she paid a visit to see him in Holme House Prison, near Stockton.

Traves, previously of Myton-on-Swale, who claims he is also innocent of his previous conviction for torching the same barn, said: "I've done silly things in the past but I had made a new life for myself and I just didn't do this. It's just wrong."

Ms Bland explained her fiance had admitted to damaging a front door in 2007 and a shed in 2005 but said they were "silly escapades" committed with friends and "he realises he was a fool".

She said: "He did those things but they don't compare to this. He didn't burn that shed either time. He'd actually chatted to the family who own the barn that night and they'd made up. He's settled down and should be with me and our son."

During the trial, Teesside Crown Court heard evidence that Traves had held a long-term grudge against the Spilman family who owned the farm and the barn.

The jury was told he had felt humiliated after his advances for a reconciliation were rejected by Tom Spilman at the Golden Lion in Helperby.

The court was also told that Traves had drunk 16 pints that day and had threatened to beat up Mr Spilman and "burn him out". Traves was also said to have been seen walking towards the barn.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "A thorough investigation was conducted into the allegations made. A man was arrested and interviewed and no evidence was found to warrant a charge against him."