AN ISLE of Wight man, jailed for 18 years for conspiracy to smuggle cocaine, has been freed — and continues to protest his innocence.

Dan Payne, 44, of East Cowes, was one of five men, nicknamed the Freshwater Five, who were sentenced to a total of 104 years in jail for conspiracy to import 255kg of cocaine with a street value of £53million in 2011.

He said: "I am free, but I am still in a state of shock. I am sitting here in my home and thinking about it all and nothing makes sense.

"I have lost nine years of my life and I feel bitter about the whole situation. I may have been released from prison but I am still not free."

The men were convicted of picking up 11 rucksacks containing cocaine in a Force 8 gale in the middle of the English Channel after their fishing boat, the Galwad-y-Mor, crossed the wake of a Brazilian containership.

The trial heard they then dumped the drugs overboard off Freshwater Bay for someone else to collect.

Mr Payne added: "I grew up in Yarmouth, fishing and walking along the beach. I've missed my family and friends and nice things like that.

"And I have missed the sea so much, I reckon it's saltwater running in my veins. But I don't think I will go back fishing again.

"I worked on deck and it was a lot of hard work, it's not the game for me now. While I could still do the job, it's for younger men. I would hurt a lot more now after a shift.

"While I have been in jail I have taken a course in welding and it's a new skill for me.

"It was a horrible place to be, you are just left there to sit and rot."

Other members of the Freshwater Five include Jamie Green and fellow Islander, scaffolding business owner Jonathan Beere, who was not a member of the crew and not on board the boat at the time. They were each jailed for 24 years.

Two others, Scott Birtwistle and Zoran Drecic, were also convicted with Birtwhistle now free.

Appeal solicitor Emily Bolton is expecting to hear whether appeal applications against the convictions lodged on behalf of Beere and Payne but affecting all the men will be granted.

She said her team had uncovered new radar evidence which contradicts the prosecution's case about the relative positions of the Galwad-y-Mor and containership.

Mr Payne said: "Only the Court of Appeal can put this right now. My advice to my other friends still in prison is: 'Keep your head up boys. I am thinking about you and hope to see you soon'."

Ms Bolton said: "Our hope is that the Appeal Courts will recognise there has been a gross miscarriage of justice and Daniel can then become a really free man."