A MAN falsely accused of rape may be forced to leave his home town because of threats made against him and his family.

Kevin Turner, of the Firth Moor estate, Darlington, was cleared by a jury at Teesside Crown Court last week of three counts of rape.

The 33-year-old said abuse and the stigma now attached to him, could mean the family has to leave their home to start a new life elsewhere.

Mr Turner, who cares for his wife Linda who suffers from spinabifida and epilepsy, was arrested in January by detectives investigating claims that he raped a child 19 years ago.

The allegations were made by a 27-year-old woman, who said the sex abuse took place when she was nine and Mr Turner was babysitting.

However, a Crown Court judge called a halt to his trial, saying there was no case to be heard, and directed the jury to find him not guilty.

Mr Turner said: "Threats have been made and because of it I don't feel comfortable living around here anymore, so we are thinking about moving.

"This has affected me very badly. I started drinking heavily and have been put on anti-depressants by the doctor.

"Thankfully my family has been beside me 100 per cent all the way."

Following his arrest, he spent time in custody until being granted bail, and was unable to drink in his local pub.

Mr Turner, who has an eight-year-old daughter, was also at the centre of an investigation by social services because of the rape charges.

His wife Linda said: "We have gone through ten months of pure hell and it is a case now of just trying to get our lives back in order. Unfortunately, though, mud sticks and Kevin has had threats when he goes out for a drink.

"The whole thing has been a complete farce and it is wrong that a woman could falsely accuse someone of this

"I know Kevin better than anybody and we knew what was being said was not true."

The couple are due to meet council housing officials today to discuss leaving their house and say they are considering moving to Bristol where they have family and friends.