The Medway special constable accused of faking being attacked in revenge for being dumped, has told a jury of the tempestuous relationship with his first love.

After the end of the relationship, Tristian Smith reported to colleagues how he had to fight off attacks from men armed with knives and a baseball bat.

The prosecution has claimed the former Kent university graduate wasn't the victim of a vendetta but was the perpetrator of one which led to the arrest of his ex-lover Charlotte Clark-Hughes and her parents.

But Smith, of St Williams Way, Rochester, has denied he made up the claims out of revenge.

He claimed his former girlfriend had demanded he quit his voluntary work as a special.

Smith told a jury at Maidstone Crown Court: "I joined because I wanted to make a difference... to change the negative attitudes some have of the police. I really loved the job.

"But I came across some corrupt officers which I didn't approve of."

Smith is charged with 10 offences, including assault and hacking into his ex's mobile phone and computer to send himself threatening messages.

The Crown has alleged police investigating his claims of being stalked, attacked and having the word "die" daubed over his house, could find little evidence to corroborate his allegations.

The 26-year-old who denies all the offences, told the court Ms Clark-Hughes was his very first relationship.

He said:"I had never had a relationship before. It was brilliant at the beginning."

The two had met at university in 2014 but he claimed she didn't get on with his mother or his friends.

"She didn't want to come out or do anything with my friends. She just didn't want to know.

"My flatmates at university didn't like her because she would say nasty things to me in front of them. She was just someone who could cause a row over anything."

Smith told of the moment in February 2017 he found his ex-partner had been sending messages to another man.

He said: "It was heartbreaking. I was crying my eyes out. I know it's not a manly thing but I just cried.

"I said to her that if she wanted to be with him she should be with him.

He claimed Ms Clark-Hughes said she wanted to stay with him and so he asked her to cut Facebook ties with the man.

The trial continues.

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