A MAN wrongly accused of raping a woman is speaking out to clear his name and stop gossips from ruining his life.

Kevin Sadler, 41, of Mill Court, Ashford, has missed out on the chance to get a job before Christmas because of his ordeal and he wants the record put straight.

Kent police have confirmed this week that Mr Sadler had been arrested on suspicion of rape but the matter had been dropped and the file closed.

"It hasn't been in the papers or anything but everyone is talking about it and I want to put the record straight," said Mr Sadler. "I don't know why this woman said I raped her."

He spent a nightmare 17 hours in the cells and was on police bail for two weeks before the accusations against him were dropped.

The ordeal began when uniformed officers took him from his home at 10pm one night at the beginning of November.

"I was just getting ready for bed when they came around. I had no prior warning," Mr Sadler said. I was taken to the police station and put in a cell. The next day they came round and searched my house looking for evidence.

"It was a nightmare. I was released without being charged but having something like this hanging over you is very draining. It could ruin my life," he added. "Tongues are wagging round here and I just want it known that I have done nothing wrong."

Mr Sadler admits that he has had convictions in the past for minor crimes and fighting.

He lost out on a job opportunity because he missed a day's induction training for a safety certificate while he was in custody.

He has now told his prospective employers of his plight and they are considering putting him on another training course in the New Year.