A MAN who claimed to have set up the country's first refuge for male victims of domestic violence in the North-East has been arrested following an investigation into possible fraud.

Following an investigation by The Northern Echo, Mike Kenny was questioned by detectives on suspicion of trying to obtain property and services by deception.

Mr Kenny made headlines in national and regional newspapers, and appeared on several television shows last week to announce the opening of his safe house.

Suspicious of some of his claims, a Northern Echo reporter posed as a desperate victim of domestic violence in an attempt to secure a place in the refuge.

Today, it can be revealed that the safe house - said to have cost £2.4m and opened at a secret location somewhere on Tyneside last Thursday - does not exist.

Mr Kenny was arrested at his Ferryhill home, in County Durham, on Tuesday afternoon and released on bail yesterday after being quizzed by police in Darlington.

Last night, he refused to say whether his organisation, It Does Happen, actually opened the safe house last week, or confirm its existence.

All he would say was: "We are intent on providing refuge accommodation throughout the UK.

"We provide support and help to individuals through our online service, and we will continue to do so."

However, it was confirmed by informed sources that the refuge does not exist.

Among Mr Kenny's claims last week were that, following the opening of the 31-bed refuge in the North-East, he would establish two more in Yorkshire and the Midlands by January.

It was also reported that he had raised £21m in sponsorship in less than three months, and his support network had received 362,473 calls in two months.

The 34-year-old former radio presenter also told journalists that his former girlfriend had been jailed for wounding after she stabbed him five times, resulting in the loss of six-and-a-half pints of blood.

Durham Police last night said a complaint of assault had been investigated, and no action was being taken against Mr Kenny's former girlfriend.

The reporter who tried to secure a place in the hostel was told, after a series of phone calls and e-mails, that he was unsuitable, despite an apparent history of abuse.

He was given advice and support by Mr Kenny, but ultimately advised to present himself at his local town hall and declare himself homeless, or call a hostel for homeless men in Newcastle in a bid to escape his violent partner.

After being confronted with the results of our investigation, Mr Kenny said he had suspicions the "victim" was bogus but was still prepared to help as much as he could.

Mr Kenny added: "We have done exactly what we purport to be able to do, which is offer help and support when people need it the most."

Asked if purporting to have a refuge - his website also makes this claim - and offering victims false hope of sanctuary was wrong, Mr Kenny answered again: "We provide help and support."

Police released a statement last night that said: "A 34-year-old County Durham man was arrested yesterday by detectives on suspicion of obtaining property and services by deception.

"He was taken to Darlington police station for questioning and has been released today on police bail until January 7, pending further inquiries."

A spokesman said: "Every allegation he has made to Durham Police has been investigated and files have been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, who have instructed no further action."

* Anyone affected by domestic violence is asked to call their local police, or Victim Support on 0845 3030900.