The road haulier, a family man, was stopped in Kent last December by customs, and was subsequently charged and had his lorry seized.

The self-employed haulier and father of three, said the 10-month ordeal has had a knock-on effect on his family life, and his livelihood.

Despite being bailed, with travel restrictions, he had no lorry to use for haulage.

Mr Carson burst into tears after the verdict was read out by the Kent jury.

Ulster peers Lord Maginnis, UUP, and Lord Morrow, DUP, both gave witness as to Mr Carson's good character to the court.

Yesterday, as he waited in England to collect his lorry, Mr Carson told the News Letter of his relief. "I can't describe it, it's just sinking in. It wrecks your family life."

He hopes to drive his lorry home to Northern Ireland later today.

"They seized the lorry. I could not earn a living. It impacted severely financially," he said.

He also had to pay for legal costs, but praised his legal team.

"The judge has awarded costs to me, but I am not sure at this stage what exactly that will mean."

Mr Carson said he told customs officials exactly what had happened in initial interviews, and there were facts they could have checked, and found to be correct.

"But my solicitor said they always charge the driver because he is in charge of the vehicle. You are vulnerable whether you are the driver or the owner, you are assumed guilty," he said.

"I have a clean record, very much so. Even this week, I should be in court as a juror in Dungannon," he said.

"You need to be cautious. A driver cannot physically strip every pallet to check it."

Lord Ken Maginnis last night said: "I'm glad justice has been done. What saddens me is that it took 10 months of anxiety for the Carson family, for this to be sorted out. In this respect at least we had British justice," he said.