A father-of-three who's been subjected to a relentless campaign of abuse which has seen him accused of being a paedophile and his wife's life threatened says his family is "living in fear".

Daren Matthews, 40, says the entirely false accusations which were first made in June have resulted in him being chased and taunted by other residents but police, social services and the council have failed to act.

He's also been labelled a drug dealer and robber during a barrage of abuse which has seen him move his children out of the property in Grebe Close, Lower Stoke, Rochester.

He's even lost his job as a taxi driver because one of the claims led to a brief investigation, which has since ended.

A fellow villager is behind the rumours about him.

He said: "I had people chasing me and calling me names and fell out with a lot of people.

"Because this person has got mental health problems police don't want to do anything. My wife is frightened in case she does what she's threatened.

"We have had to move the kids out for safety reasons. We are living in fear and being constantly harassed. It's destroying my wife."

Social services and police have both told Mr Mattews to move out but Medway Council say he must apply to be rehomed.

He added: "The police and council are constantly passing the buck.

"My wife could be stabbed and killed next time she sees this person because of lack of assistance. My family has been torn apart.

'My wife could be stabbed and killed next time she sees this person because of lack of assistance. My family has been torn apart.' — Daren Matthews

"How far will it go before police do some thing about this? The only time police will help is when we are all beaten up or dead. That'll be too late.

"The lady who got killed down at dockside by her boyfriend rang police several times. Police did nothing until it was too late.

"The council just tell us to bid for a new home, but how long will that take? We're being told we need to move now.

"I understand she has mental health issues but this isn't fair. The police have to do something, she needs to know this isn't acceptable."

Medway Council’s head of strategic housing Mark Breathwick said: “We assess the circumstances of everyone who applies to be on our housing register and we prioritise those with greater housing needs. Those who are deemed a priority are eligible to bid for social housing properties.”

Mr Matthews is eligible to bid.

Police spokesman James Walker said: "We received a report that a woman had received a threatening message on social media on August 26. The informant was provided with safety advice by an investigator.

"A second report of threatening behaviour, which involved the same victim and alleged offender, took place in Grebe Close, Rochester, at around 10.20pm on Sunday, October 23.

"A woman was arrested in connection with the incident on the same night and was released without charge, having been handed into the care of health professionals."

If suspects in crimes have clear mental health issues police are able to pass them into the care of health teams rather than deal with them criminally.