A nightclub boss cleared of rape has spoken publicly for the first time about the months he spent behind bars.

A nightclub boss cleared of rape has spoken publicly for the first time about the months he spent behind bars.

At Bristol Crown Court last week Kiem Mu was found not guilty of three charges of rape. He was found guilty on one charge of perverting the course of justice after he made a phone call in front of a police officer after his arrest, asking his brother to speak to the complainant to ask her to drop the charges.

He was sentenced to four months in jail but, because of the time he had already spent in prison on remand, he walked free from court.

Speaking at the headquarters of Mu Mu Enterprises in Beaconsfield Road on Tuesday, the 34-year-old married businessman said: “It was the worst experience of my life. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

“I shared my cell with another inmate and we had just a bunk bed, sink, toilet and small TV. We were locked up for 23 hours a day.

“It was hard for me to accept the prison lifestyle because I knew I was not guilty and my life was in the hands of the law.

“It was a big shock to me and I was nervous because I was new to the environment.

“Everyone had to be in bed by about 7pm, but I had nightmares and would wake up sweating. I couldn’t sleep properly and I lost loads of weight.

“I really missed my family and friends, especially at Christmas and New Year.”

Kiem, who runs a number of nightspots in Weston and Bristol including Dragon Kiss, Sands, the Sea Palace restaurant and Mu Mu’s, was employed as a cleaner in Horfield Prison, Bristol. He earnt £5 a week and took up English and art courses.

He said: “There was attitude with the cell mates but if you kept yourself to yourself and respected others you got on okay with the other people in the prison.

“I am relieved that my ordeal of 11 months is finally over and justice has run its course.

“I have learnt many lessons over these months, particularly how naive I was about many things and how little control any of us have over our lives when something like this happens.

“I think it has made me a better person. I am wiser and stronger after what I’ve been through.

“It is unfortunate that the one stain on my character over all this is again due to my naivety, this time of the law. Using the phone in front of a police officer at that time has resulted in me being found guilty of perverting the course of justice, and that is now something I have to live with.

“I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank all of my family, friends, staff and customers who have stood with me throughout all of this, giving me the strength to see this through.”

Kiem is having a party with his family and friends tomorrow (Fri) to celebrate his freedom.