All it takes is a Google search to turn women off of me

DEAR DEIDRE: WOMEN I try to connect with online say I’m undateable. They Google my name and find out that I was in the news 12 years ago.

I’m 42 but when I was 30, an ex-girlfriend made a false allegation that I had sexually assaulted her. We had a very volatile relationship but I would never lay a finger on her.

I ended our relationship when I’d had enough of the arguments but she wanted us to continue to live together. She was unhappy that she had to move back to her parents’ home.

I’ve never had a run-in with the police before and was so shocked that my ex could be so vindictive.

As the court day approached, she admitted falsifying evidence and the case was thrown out – but I’d already been named. I can’t move on from this.

DEIDRE SAYS: It is tough that you’re going through this but the law says that a victim has the right to anonymity and the accused can be named.

Get out with friends and network that way, rather than seeking love online where people may do background checks.

Everyone is entitled to find out who they are dating but if you meet someone through friends, they can back you up.

Because you are finding it so difficult to live your life as you’d wish, do seek out help through the False Allegations Support Organisation, FASO (false-allegations.org.uk, Tel: 03335 779 377) which helps anyone affected by a false allegation of abuse.