Janette Moffatt and her son Mark, 21, are facing a “vendetta” from angry residents who are “punishing” them for the actions of Andrew Moffatt, who was sentenced to six years in prison in 2004.

She said: “It is a vendetta - we are being punished for what he has done. We have had so much terrible grief. It’s ongoing and something seems to happen everyday. I tried to help the police and they don’t seem to care.”

The problems began when the details of Moffatt’s court case and conviction were published.

Dogs’ mess and stones were thrown at Janette’s Kenilworth home, abuse was shouted at her and Mark in the street and children would call them “paedophiles”.

Ms Moffatt said: “The police advised us to move out of Kenilworth. We thought it might go away or calm down and people would stop blaming us for what happened.”

Ms Moffatt explained that since moving to Warwick in 2005, news of her connection to Moffatt has spread and Mark has had to bear the brunt of threats and violence from residents, who are taking the law into their own hands.

Mark said: “It has escalated and more and more people have got involved. Last week I was attacked by some kids who threatened to kill me.

“I don’t have anything to do with my dad - but because I am his son and they can’t get him they have to take it out on someone. I just don’t feel safe.”

The mother and son recently returned from a holiday to find their front garden vandalised and evidence of stones thrown at their house.

And Mark said that his ambition to become a chef had been “pulled off course” because of the stress.

They have seen a solicitor, who has agreed to help them gather evidence of the abuse.

Ms Moffatt said: “They are finding our weak spots and targeting us.