CHERRIES star Steve Cook has spoken publicly for the first time since being found not guilty of sexual assault and has described his ordeal as a “living nightmare”.

Cook and three former team-mates from Brighton were acquitted on Friday following a retrial at the Old Bailey after jurors had been unable to reach a verdict at an earlier hearing.

The four defendants were cleared of all charges and awarded their costs with the end of the case bringing to a close a turbulent chapter in Cook’s life.

Arrested at Cherries’ Canford School training ground in January 2012, Cook was charged three months later before going on trial for the first time in January this year.

The 22-year-old continued to turn out for Cherries during the first hearing before he was again forced to take the stand after the club had celebrated promotion to the Championship.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo, Cook said last night: “I have been through all the emotions over the past 17 months. There was the euphoria of winning promotion and the disappointment of not going up as champions just a week later.

“Then, last Friday, I had the news I had been waiting for since January 2012. It has been a tough 17 months, a living nightmare at times.

“I remember the first game I played after I had been arrested. It was against Notts County and it was very tough.

“What I have been through has made me realise how good it is to be a footballer and how important it is to have such a strong family behind you. It has put everything into perspective and I have grown up a lot over the past 17 months. I know it is going to stand me in good stead for the future.”

A mainstay of Cherries’ promotion and a cornerstone of the team’s defence last season, Cook played three times while he was on trial in January and early February – lining up in wins against Crewe, MK Dons and Portsmouth.

“Football was a way for me to not think about it and I was fortunate enough to be able to keep playing,” added Cook. “It helped take my mind off it a little bit and I don’t know where my head would have been if I hadn’t been able to play Saturdays and Tuesdays.

“I felt I played quite well in those three games, possibly because I had to concentrate more as I had not been training or doing much fitness work. I definitely wasn’t as fit as usual and, after the Portsmouth game, I was mentally and physically drained. I don’t think I could have played any more games after that without training regularly.”

Asked whether the experience had made him stronger, both as a person and a player, Cook replied: “Yes. I can’t wait to get back and start improving as a player. Some people may forget I am only 22 and this was my first full season. I have learned a lot, both on and off the pitch, and it is going to stand me in good stead in a very tough league next season.”