DELIGHTED police chief Jim Trotman posed happily for photos with his mistress outside court yesterday after being cleared of arson and fraud charges.

But the 45-year-old’s happiness was cut short by news that he will remain suspended from duty while Thames Valley Police carries out an internal inquiry into his conduct.

A jury at Swindon Crown Court decided that the Chief Superintendent was not guilty of charges of arson, insurance fraud and perverting the course of justice, after a trial lasting more than two weeks.

Mr Trotman, Oxford’s former police commander, punched the air as the jury gave its verdict and said he was looking forward to “getting on with the rest of his life”.

His mistress Karin Gray ran forward from the public gallery and kissed him in court as the news that he was a free man sank in.

However, Mr Trotman will have to wait to hear if he can return to work after the police inquiry. He has been suspended on full pay since his arrest last February.

After the verdict was announced, Deputy Chief Constable Francis Habgood said: “Thames Valley Police expects the highest levels of both professional and personal conduct from its officers and staff.

“It is imperative that the police take all reports of crime seriously.

“This case was thoroughly investigated and a file was passed to the CPS, who decided that there was sufficient evidence to bring this case to court.

“Chief Supt Trotman will remain suspended from duty until the outcome of an internal disciplinary hearing on conduct matters unconnected with the criminal case.

“As this is ongoing, Thames Valley Police is unable to comment further.”

The inquiry is expected to take several months.

During the trial the jury heard that the investigation into the fire which destroyed Mr Trotman’s Citroen car had been marred by mistakes. The scene of the fire was not properly searched and the wrecked car was destroyed before Mr Trotman’s legal team could inspect it.

In court, his lawyers accused the force of not investigating the car fire properly.

And last night Mr Trotman criticised Mr Habgood’s claim that the case had been “thoroughly” investigated. Mr Trotman contacted the force demanding it retract Mr Habgood’s claim but it refused.

Mr Trotman told the Oxford Mail: “I cannot accept that Thames Valley Police say it was thoroughly investigated, because I had to bring in my own private investigators to look at points they did not. The jury saw the case for what it was.

“There were numerous examples of the failure to investigate this properly.”

The investigating officer, Det Supt Ashley Smith, was accused by Mr Trotman’s barrister John Beggs of “wanting the scalp” of a senior policeman before he retired.

It emerged during the trial that on the night Mr Trotman’s car was set on fire, he had both texted and called Mrs Gray as he drove to her home in Boars Hill, near Oxford, after he had watched his daughter appear in a play in Wallingford.

He also admitted that he had been speeding, as he was desperate to see Mrs Gray, who was upset after visiting a divorce lawyer that day. Mr Trotman would not comment on his continued suspension, or whether he would be taking legal action against the police.

In a statement read by his solicitor, Deirdre Smith, Mr Trotman said: “I have always maintained my innocence.

“I would like to thank my family and friends who have stood by me in this difficult time and I am looking forward to getting on with the rest of my life.”

He has lodged an application for his legal costs. Mr Trotman’s lawyers said that the trial had cost him a “six-figure sum”, as he did not get legal aid.