THE fiancee of Private Andrew Cutts – the first Notts soldier to be killed in Afghanistan – says she became a hate target after being accused of wrongly claiming his Army pension.

Janine Fearick, 22, of Violet Hill, Mansfield, reportedly had a severed chicken's head pushed through her letterbox.

Her mother's car tyres were repeatedly let down and Janine said she was jostled in the street and ignored by former friends.

She had always denied obtaining £63,000 in pension payments by deception after the death of her boyfriend.

Her mother, Jeanie Fearick, 44, of Jennison Street, Mansfield also denied all charges.

Both were cleared of any wrongdoing at Nottingham Crown Court after prosecutors offered no evidence.

And Judge Michael Stokes QC said it was a "tragedy" the prosecution was ever started.

Speaking for the first time about her ordeal, Janine said: "I cannot believe I was accused of profiting from Andrew's death.

"An apology wouldn't bring Andrew back, but it would help me come to terms with what has happened. I don't think I've had a chance to grieve properly.

"Andrew would have been horrified."