The man who was cleared of allegations of sexually abusing a young girl has described the year between the accusation and his trial as "sheer hell".

A jury at Bradford Crown Court last week found Barry Rowen not guilty of two charges of rape, two of indecent assault, two of sexual assault and two alternative charges of attempted rape.

Mr Rowen, 39, who lives in the Fell Lane area of Keighley, said he was extremely relieved to have been found not guilty.

He had denied ever harming the girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

Mr Rowen said: "My solicitor told me that if I'd been found guilty I was looking at eight years in prison minimum.

"I'm absolutely over the moon to have been cleared."

He has now accused social services and child protection workers of continuing to treat him like a criminal.

"They're still just out to get me any way they can," he claimed.

Mr Rowen, who lives with his wife, two children and one step-daughter, said he was "gobsmacked" when police officers first knocked on his door in February 2005.

He said he was kept in a police cell for 24 hours before being released on unconditional bail.

"When they first arrested me I couldn't get to sleep that night in the cell," he said.

"They kept me in until 4pm the next day, and I was even asked if I wanted to put the interview off because I looked in such a state.

"I just wanted to get it over with though."

However, he said he struggled to live a normal life in the build-up to the trial as the accusations made by the girl meant he could not work.

He added: "Going to court was a nightmare -- a horrible nightmare. It wasn't a nice experience."

He said his wife, family members and friends stuck by him and supported him. He added: "I had a job working for a playground company.

"The boss was very fair but because of the allegations I lost the job.

"I then tried to work for a building company, but when I told them about the case I got made redundant.

"You only have to put two and two together to work out why."

He added: "For a whole year I was not able to plan anything."

He said the pressure was so bad he was frightened to leave his front door in case he was verbally abused or physically attacked.

"I didn't want to go out. When I did I always watched my back," he said.

"I'm now getting my confidence back to go outside, but it's still hard.

"I've no idea what to do now. Things are getting back to normal but very slowly."

"There's always going to be bigots out there who aren't interested in what the court says.

"It's been a long year, I've had my trial and I want to get on with my life."

He said the disruption caused by losing two jobs and having to live away from his home for a period had a major impact on his whole family.

"It's been really hard on my wife. I think she's been close to having a nervous breakdown at times," he said.

"It wasn't just affecting me -- the police weren't interested in trying to help her through this either."