A ROYAL British Legion chairman and former policeman has told of his life of 'absolute hell' after being wrongly accused of abusing a lesbian couple.

Raymond Smith Brodie, 67, appeared before Consett magistrates court this week accused of scratching the letters L E S on a known lesbian couple's car.

But the case against him was dismissed after magistrates agreed that security camera film was too unclear to identify the perpetrator.

Outside the court, Mr Smith Brodie, of Whinside, Stanley, said he and his wife had experienced hell since he was arrested in March.

He said: "I am just totally relieved.

"I have my reputation to think of and everyone knowing I was accused of this has been terrible.

"My wife has been made ill because of this - her nerves have been totally shot.

"I should never have been arrested and I plan to take this up with the Police Complaints Authority."

In a statement to police, read out in court, he denied he had any dislike of homosexuals.

"I find things like this abhorrent. I certainly don't even know a lesbian, although I have heard of them," he said.

The court had heard that the lesbians had had their courtesy Nissan Micra scratched with the letters L E S after they went in to a fish and chip shop in St Paul's Terrace, West Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, in August last year.

Investigating officer PC Karen Donaghue had interviewed Mr Smith Brodie after two people identified him following television police appeals using the CCTV footage. PC Donaghue told the court she was convinced of his guilt after interviewing him and his wife and studying the video.

But Paul Kirkham, defending, said: "If you have to check that video two, three or more times, then you have a reasonable doubt."

He also criticised the police for not organising an identity parade contrary to police regulations.

After repeatedly studying the video, chairman of the magistrates Tom Reynolds dismissed the case.

Mr Smith Brodie served in Gateshead police for 14 years after serving in the Royal and Merchant Navies.

He is chairman and welfare officer with the Burnhope and Annfield Plain Royal British Legion.