Vincent Howard claims he and his family lived in fear after becoming targeted by Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC) in an alleged blackmail campaign.

The father-of-three, who works for Cambridge-based distribution company Biocair, told Winchester Crown Court a letter was circulated around his home village near the city falsely accusing him of being a convicted paedophile.

"There were 25 to 30 sent around the village, if not more, and it became fairly well known in the village," he said. "People offered to pass them on (to the police) without opening them up for forensices."

Mr Howard said his family feared someone would put a brick through their window because of the accusations. Five members of the protest group are accused of an extremist "direct action" campaign against companies involved with Huntingdon Life Sciences, based in Huntingdon.

The five, who are based around the country, deny charges of conspiracy to blackmail between 2001 and 2007.

The case continues.