An auxiliary nurse has told of his two-year ordeal after being falsely accused of sexually abusing two women patients.
Anthony Graham was arrested in 2006 after complaints were made while he worked at Manchester Royal Infirmary and he was charged with indecently touching the women.
Over the next two years, the married father-of-one maintained his innocence.
During that time, he suffered a heart attack and because he was an agency worker, he lost his job. He has told how his wife had to work seven days a week to pay their mortgage and how he lived in fear of abuse from friends and neighbours.
The case was dismissed by a crown court judge this month after the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence.
It emerged that both women were on medication that could have affected their claims.
Judge Michael Henshall told him: "You are a man of good character and remain so. You leave the court without a stain on your character."
"Destroyed everything"
Mr Graham, 53, said: "This has destroyed everything. The way they treated me was disgusting. As soon as someone makes allegations against you, the hospital trust takes their side and offers you no support.
"I was hung out to dry. And as for the justice system, you're guilty until proven innocent."
Mr Graham intends to sue hospital bosses over his ordeal.
Speaking from the home in Eccles he shares with wife Lorraine and son Ashley, 16, Mr Graham said he fears he may never find another job.
After the allegations were made he was suspended without pay by the agency he worked for.
He said: "I applied for jobs, but employers' security checks flagged up the allegations and they wouldn't come near me."
Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust said it used `standard practice' when dealing with the allegations.
A spokesman said: "We have to ensure appropriate measures are in place and are followed to protect the safety of our staff and patients - and we do this without prejudice."
Source: Manchester Evening News