The man wrongly accused of murdering Rachel Nickell in 1994 has spoken out following Amanda Knox's aquittal last week.

Colin Stagg, who was wrongly-accused of murdering Rachel Nickell 16 years ago, has said Amanda Knox's acquittal had "touched a raw nerve".

Mr Stagg, 48, of Roehampton, said: "This case touched a raw nerve with me. I was the victim of a similar hate campaign.

"That mob, baying for her blood outside the Italian courthouse, wasn't so different to what greeted me round here after my acquittal."

Miss Knox was acquitted of murdering student Meredith Kercher in Italy last week, in a case that echoes Mr Stagg's.

The American, who has been in prison for four years, faces divided public opinion over her innocence.

Mr Stagg said: "I don't know if she is truly innocent or guilty. But in the eyes of the law she has been cleared.

"I feel more sorry for the Kercher family. Unlike the Nickells they no longer have closure and may never know who really killed their daughter."

Mr Stagg was cleared of murdering and raping Rachel Nickell in 1994, after it was revealed he was set-up by a police honey trap.

Killer Robert Napper was found guilty of stabbing the young mother in front of her two-year-old in Wimbledon Common four years ago.

Solicitor Alex Tribick, who helped Mr Stagg get £706,000 compensation from the home office, said the media's treatment of Miss Knox was similar to Mr Stagg's experiences.

He said: "The treatment was trial by media. I suspect she will think long and hard before returning to the UK.

"Any compensation that she gets will have to last her, and she will realise it will be difficult to get any sort of employment for the rest of her life. Like Amanda, Colin was made into a public pariah."