A former Medway special constable has been convicted of faking attacks on himself after daubing his home with the word 'die' in a botched attempt to get revenge on his girlfriend.

Tristian Smith, 26, reported to police that an ex-lover had started a vendetta against him after their love affair ended.

The former Kent University graduate said the word 'die' had been daubed on the front and rear of his home in St Williams Way, Rochester.

Smith's allegations led to the arrests of former sweetheart Charlotte Clark-Hughes and her mother and step-father.

Prosecutor Paul Valder told Maidstone Crown Court that rather than being the victim of a vendetta, the former special fabricated the vandalism in revenge.

He said: "This case is about the sad toxic fall-out during the breakdown of a relationship and the lengths, prosecution say this defendant went to cause difficulties for his ex-girlfriend after their love turned sour and then, on his part, turned into an almost obsessive hatred."

By October 2017, Smith accepted the relationship was over in texts sent to his brother, it was claimed.

"He said how angry he was and how he wanted to tear her family apart and get revenge, " said Mr Valder.

A jury rejected Smith's claims of being a vendetta victim and convicted him on eight of 10 charges, including perverting the course of justice and assaulting his ex by biting her during a violent row.

He had denied all the offences and was remanded into custody until January next year when he will be sentenced.

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