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Paedophile rumours 'civil matter' Paedophile rumours 'civil matter'
(about 1 hour later)
A man raped after wrongly being branded a paedophile has been told if he wants to take the person who began the rumours to court he must do so himself.A man raped after wrongly being branded a paedophile has been told if he wants to take the person who began the rumours to court he must do so himself.
Detectives believe that lies spread about Geoff Cole led to the attack in Resolven, near Neath, in October 2005. Detectives believe that lies spread about Geoff Cole led to the attack in Resolven, near Neath, last October.
Mr Cole has been told criminal action cannot be taken against whoever began the rumours as it is a civil matter. Mr Cole has been told criminal action cannot be taken against whoever began the rumours, as it is a civil matter.
Police will make a fresh appeal for information on the attack on BBC Wales' Week In Week Out programme.Police will make a fresh appeal for information on the attack on BBC Wales' Week In Week Out programme.
Earlier this year, Mr Cole contributed to a Crimewatch reconstruction of the attack which happened as he walked his dogs in heavy rain at 2245 GMT on 18 October, 2005. Earlier this year, Mr Cole contributed to a BBC Crimewatch reconstruction of the attack, which happened as he walked his dogs in heavy rain at 2245 GMT on 18 October, 2005.
It's just through one person's vengeful, hateful mouth that have started this and destroyed us Jill Cole
Mr Cole was dragged to the ground and attacked moments after seeing a man loitering alongside the road and apparently talking into a mobile phone.Mr Cole was dragged to the ground and attacked moments after seeing a man loitering alongside the road and apparently talking into a mobile phone.
For us to get justice, we have to take this person to court ourselves, is that justice? I don't think so Jill Cole
For months there have been no new leads in the case and police have scaled down their investigation.For months there have been no new leads in the case and police have scaled down their investigation.
But officers believe they know who began the rumours in the weeks before the rape.But officers believe they know who began the rumours in the weeks before the rape.
Detective Inspector Jeff Handley said that at a party Mr Cole had been referred to as a paedophile. Det Insp Jeff Handley said that at a party Mr Cole had been referred to as a paedophile.
"Mr Cole is not a paedophile, he is not a sex offender - Mr Cole has done absolutely nothing wrong and we've worked on the assumption that this attack on him has come about as a result of that rumour, gossip, and speculation," explained DI Handley."Mr Cole is not a paedophile, he is not a sex offender - Mr Cole has done absolutely nothing wrong and we've worked on the assumption that this attack on him has come about as a result of that rumour, gossip, and speculation," explained DI Handley.
He said advice had been sought from the Crown Prosecution Service.He said advice had been sought from the Crown Prosecution Service.
He added: "Unfortunately, it's not a criminal offence, and should Mr Cole want to pursue the matter further, he would have to pursue it through the civil courts, because it's not a criminal offence - that's the law."He added: "Unfortunately, it's not a criminal offence, and should Mr Cole want to pursue the matter further, he would have to pursue it through the civil courts, because it's not a criminal offence - that's the law."
The news has come as a blow to the Coles who recently asked the Independent Police Complaints Commission to investigate the way police have handled the inquiry into the attack. Mr Cole was walking his dogs in Resolven when he fell victim
DI Handley has made a fresh appeal for information The news has come as a blow to Mr Cole and his wife Jill, who recently asked the Independent Police Complaints Commission to investigate the way police have handled the inquiry into the attack.
Mrs Cole said: "It's just through one person's vengeful, hateful mouth that have started this and destroyed us, there's no other way to explain it. Mrs Cole said "one person's vengeful, hateful mouth" had "started this and destroyed us, there's no other way to explain it".
"For us to get justice, we have to take this person to court ourselves, is that justice? I don't think so.""For us to get justice, we have to take this person to court ourselves, is that justice? I don't think so."
The couple have moved out of their house which overlooked the lane where the attack happened, and are now living in rented accommodation.The couple have moved out of their house which overlooked the lane where the attack happened, and are now living in rented accommodation.
Mr Cole said: "I feel absolutely sick. I shouldn't have to live like this at all, I'm a completely innocent man. "Mr Cole said: "I feel absolutely sick. I shouldn't have to live like this at all, I'm a completely innocent man. "
Anyone with information on the attack which happened on 18 October 2005 is asked to contact South Wales Police on 01792 456999 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Anyone with information on the attack is asked to contact South Wales Police on 01792 456999 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Week In Week Out is broadcast on BBC One Wales on Tuesday at 2235 BST, and on 2W on Wednesday at 2200 BST. Week In Week Out is broadcast on BBC One Wales on Tuesday at 2235 BST, and on BBC 2W on Wednesday at 2200 BST.