A Thanet priest has told how his hair turned grey after being falsely accused of rape.

John Taylor, 49, revealed how he had been shunned by many people – and his car vandalised three times after he was charged with the serious sex offence.

But now – 14 months later – the former court chaplain has walked free from Canterbury Crown Court after having his name cleared.

The prosecution offered no evidence – just minutes before the rape trial was due to start – and he was formally found not guilty.

Father Taylor (pictured right) said later: "I am just so relieved. I just want my old life back. This ordeal has cost me so much. I had been recommended for an award in the Queen's Honours List but that just disappeared when I was arrested."

The married clergyman revealed how his wife Zsanett, 34, fled to Hungary with their two young children after his arrest.

But Father Taylor, of Canterbury Road, Margate said: "I told the truth from the very beginning. Now I can prove that this woman is a liar."

He said he admitted to police that he and the woman had sex – but said it was always consensual.

The court heard DNA forensic evidence had cast doubt on the truth of claims made by the woman – and the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence.

He added: "This is the worst crime a man can be accused of because you are automatically prejudged. This has done my health in for 14 months just waiting.

"I have put on weight and even gone grey. I gave evidence at the very start and now it has been proved that I was telling the truth all along. I even offered to pay for all the DNA evidence to be tested.

"But now it is proven that she lied, which is nice to be able to say that."

Canterbury Crown Court, where Father Taylor's case was due to be heard

Father Taylor said he wanted to return soon to his charity work, adding: "I want to start to get my life back but the one thing I cared for was helping people."

He said the lies had destroyed his life, but he still urged genuine cases to make complaints to the police.

"These people must still come forward," he said. "Don't worry because even though it's a horrible system, it is fair in the end."

Father Taylor praised his barrister Jonathan Simpson and family and friends who had rallied round and supported his campaign to clear his name.

"this is the worst crime a man can be accused of because you are automatically prejudged" – john taylor

"These people believed in me from day one and when my friends, including Brian Sullivan - a former Mayor of Margate - supported me, along with the Greek and Islamic communities it was just fantastic.

"However it is still a horrible thing to have to go through," he added.

Prosecutor Christopher May said the DNA evidence revealed a prosecution on a charge of rape could not be sustained.

"Therefore - even at this 11th hour – the forensic evidence undermines the prosecution case and therefore the Crown offers no evidence."

Defence barrister Mr Simpson told the court the priest had suffered because of publicity after his arrest - and called for those charged to remain anonymous until conviction.

He said: "Father Taylor has had his car attacked three times and his home has been attacked. He has had to step down as a priest.

"He has also lost contact with his two youngest children and has been shunned by his local community.

"He may not be a broken man but he is considerably crushed as a result of these allegations."