A MAN cleared of raping two young boys has spoken of his months of torment.
Kevin Dolan, 39, from Almondbury, was found not guilty of three charges including rape, sexual assault and indecent assault at Leeds Crown Court earlier this month.
A further six charges against him were dropped.
The jury made a unanimous decision.
"I just want people to know I was found not guilty. I was innocent all along and I want people to know I am an innocent man," said Mr Dolan, who is currently living with his sister after being released from Armley prison after the case was discharged.
"I have many friends who have stuck by me and I am planning to move back to Almondbury and my home," he said.
"Why should I hide for something I haven't done? I want to be able to lift my head up where I live."
Mr Dolan, who is single and has suffered from depression since he was 15, was arrested in August last year.
The charges involved two boys aged eight and six and were alleged to have taken place at his home in Northgate, Almondbury, while they were staying with him overnight.
He spent more than four months on remand in Armley Prison, including Christmas.
"I was in a special protection wing for vulnerable prisoners and I was spat on and called a "nonce" and a paedophile while I was in prison," said Mr Dolan.
"One prisoner pushed me in the back, but I was thankful for all the support I received from family and friends who visited me. A lot of people stuck by me."
While he was in prison, Mr Dolan's flat was broken into, his clothes were urinated on and excrement was smeared on them. Hundreds of pounds worth of property were also stolen.
Mr Dolan's biggest regret is that he was unable to spend Christmas with his nephew and nieces.
He said: "My 10-year-old nephew called me and said "It won't be Christmas without you Uncle Kevin." It affected them quite badly and their school work suffered.
"I feel bitter about what happened. I don't want to hold grudges, but I am very upset and the depression I have suffered since I was 15, has got worse."
