A former member of the far right wing group the English Defence League says he is the victim of a hate campaign – because he has the same name as a local paedophile.
John Campbell, 49, claims says been being bullied and abused since the other man was convicted of the vile offences in 2006.
Angry John, who has 17 grandchildren, says photos of him are being circulated on social media by people who say he’s the child abuser.
But the photos people are tweeting and posting are of John – at a National Front rally in Newcastle.
John admits he was a member of the far right group English Defence League but not any more – and now fears for his life.
He said: “I got my photograph taken with a few friends. The National Front were holding a demonstration to tell members of the public about grooming gangs in Newcastle.
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“I was a member of the EDL previously, but I was just at the demo with friends.
“A left-wing activist has dragged up a piece from the local paper in 2006 about a different John Campbell.
“He said it was ironic I was against grooming, when I was a groomer myself.
“Now, my photograph is on every EDL and National Front Facebook page – claiming I am a child sex offender. It has put my life in danger. It is just a not a nice thing to happen.”
Unemployed father-of-five Mr Campbell, who suffers from depression, believes he has been confused with an older man of the same name who lived in the area of Sunderland.
He has lost friends over the allegations and has reported the matter to police – who confirmed he has never been convicted of any sexual offences.
A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said: “Police received a report of malicious communication.
“Officers have spoken to the complainant and after inquiries, another man has been spoken to about posting comments on social media.
“Advice has been given to both parties and the comments have been removed.”
In 2006 a John Campbell, who was 44 at the time, was jailed for four years after subjecting an eight-year-old girl to repeated sex attacks.
Campbell scared the schoolgirl into keeping quiet, but Newcastle Crown Court heard how the youngster finally broke down and confessed to her mum what had been happening.
The paedophile, of Sunderland, admitted one charge of causing a child to engage in sexual activity and four charges of sexual assault on a child.
Judge Esmond Faulks banned him from working with children for life and ordered him to register as a sex offender for life.
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