A HUSBAND and wife are trying to rebuild their shattered lives after an indecent assault allegation was dropped.

Tony De'Wet, 45, from Aveley, has had to cope with months of abuse after he was up in court facing charges of administering a poison or noxious substance to a woman and then indecently assaulting her.

He denied the allegations.

On Wednesday last, the two allegations were thrown out by the Crown Prosecution Service at Basildon Crown Court.

Mr De'Wet's wife Christine, 46, explained what they have had to endure since the court case started in April 2004.

She said: "Our lives have been completely ruined. My husband has lost his job and we are both on medication for depression.

"People heard about the indecent assault allegation and assumed my husband was a sex pervert. I know him one hundred per cent and if I thought he could do something like this, I wouldn't be here now.

"We just want justice. Now the charges have been dropped, people should know the truth.

"We use to love living here in this community but ever since people knew he was up in court, we have been taunted and abused in the street and our daughter has been spat at. We cannot carry on living in this area. We don't want to move but feel we have to.

"I just want men to know there are women out there like this."

The couple believe that the woman who accused Mr De'Wet of assaulting her had a vendetta against them and they are seeking legal advice about a counter-complaint.

Mr De-Wet admitted he has considered suicide over the last few months of torment. He said: "I have thought about taking my own life. I am absolutely devastated by this because I have lost the credibility I built up in this community. My vans and car have been destroyed. It has put a big strain on my marriage.

"I won't go anywhere now and if I do, I walk with my head down. Even though I'm cleared now, the stigma sticks!"

At Basildon Crown Court Mr De'Wet pleaded guilty to a third charge of supplying a controlled drug to the woman with her consent and was fined £50.