Matthew Green was 26 years old when he was reported missing from his home in Sittingbourne, Kent in 2010. He's now been found in Spain but police won't tell his parents where he is or how to contact him

A roofer who went missing for six years before being found in Spain slipped into drink and drugs after he was falsely accused of rape, his family have revealed.

Matthew Green's parents say they have been left in limbo after being told he was found in Spain but authorities refused to give them contact details for him under data protection rules.

Matthew was 26 when he went missing from his home in Sittingbourne, Kent in 2010 and his parents Pauline, 63, and Jim, 64, have spent sleepness nights ever since wondering where he is.

The couple told today how a false allegation of rape levelled at their son when he was just 17 sparked a downward spiral in a previously 'outgoing, happy' boy.

Matthew was investigated by police following an allegation of rape made by a girl, then aged 16.

Police surrounded his home and he spent 10 hours in custody as officers investigated the case.

But video footage taken from CCTV cameras showed that Matthew was at a petrol station in east London at time the alleged attack took place some 40 miles away in his hometown of Sittingbourne.

The girl then admitted her story was a complete fabrication and police dropped the case against Matthew.

His father Jim said today: 'I think after everything that happened, it pushed him to the limit. From that time [his arrest] the boy we knew as outgoing, football and girls mad - he seemed to just stop.

'From that he was never the same. Police officers came round to apologise after, I said look at that young boy. That's what you've done to that young lad.

'He became very withdrawn. His social life just went to nil. He packed up playing football, he wouldn't go out. He began isolating himself in his bedroom and ate meals upstairs.'

Mr Green added: 'He had issues 18 months before he left home. He was assessed by medics and taken to Maidstone Hospital where he was treated through medication and detoxification. It was all down to drink and drugs when he got in with the wrong crowd. It was mainly down to cannabis and alcohol.'

It also emerged today that a court in Madrid asked police last year to track down Matthew so they could summons him over an alleged petty theft.

Jim and Pauline Green have spoken of their relief at the news that their son has been found alive in Spain - but frustration at not being able to bring him home

Officers in Spain were asked to make inquiries in a bid to provide court officials with the British expat's address.

A source in Spain said: 'The court made the request last year. Court officials in Madrid wanted to know Matthew's address and ordered police to help them. It was in relation to a petty theft case the court had been looking into.

'Details are a bit sketchy at the moment but it's possible that was the reason Mr Green was tracked down.'

Workers at the court in question - Investigating Court Number 4 - were unable to provide any immediate details about the case and whether the order had led to Matthew being found.

Matthew went to visit a friend in London in 2010 but mysteriously never came home, sparking a frantic search by his parents Pauline, 63, and Jim, 64.

After six years, Mr and Mrs Green - who say they never gave up hope their son was still alive - were told this month he has been 'found' in Spain.

But their joy turned to anger after authorities refused to reveal where he is or even release a photo of him, citing 'data protection laws'.

Matthew, pictured left before he went missing, is said to have been taken into Spanish social services care

It also emerged today that Matthew, who reportedly gave Spanish authorities a number of names including his own when he taken in, may have frustrated his parents' hope of a reunion by telling the authorities he did not want information on his whereabouts being made available to his loved ones.

A well-placed Spanish source told MailOnline: 'I'm not in a position to comment on this individual case.

'But authorities are duty-bound to honour the wishes of adults who have been reported missed and indicate they don't want their loved ones to be told where they are if they are subsequently found.

'One of the first things police or any other official agency would do if they found a person who was on a missing list would be to tell them they had been officially reported as missing and ask them if they wanted their families to know where they were.

Matthew with his nephew Oliver, who he hasn't seen since he was a baby

'If they said 'no' and there were no mental health issues, those wishes would have to be respected.

'Only if they have mental health issues would the situation be any different, and then appropriate case measures would have to be put in place and the family informed of the situation.'

The parents of Mr Green, who went missing when he failed to turn up for his work as a roofer in April 8 2010, believed he is in the care of Spanish social services after 'concerns about his welfare' earlier this year.

Speaking yesterday, Matthew's mother Pauline said: 'All I want to do is see him. We've had this for six years. We've been on a roller coaster and now we're stuck at the top.

'We're overjoyed, but they won't tell us anything. The police have closed the book now, so it is with the authorities in Spain.

'I've written him a letter and sent it to the consulate in Madrid. But they won't even tell me if Matthew has read it - citing data protection.

'It is just a waiting game now. We want him to phone home, then we can find out where he is.'

His brother, Nathan, told MailOnline: 'We just want him home. My parents want to see him and, if he is unwell, home is the best place for him.

'I'm angry at Kent Police for not giving us more information. If feels like that are holding something back.

'Our biggest worry is that he might be released in Spain and, once again, we'd have no idea where he's gone.'

Father-of-one Mr Green says his brother Matt has a six-year-old nephew, Oliver, who he has only seen as a baby.

Pauline Green, 63, said all of her 'Christmases came at once' when police knocked on her door to say that her son had been found alive in Spain

After Matt disappeared, a search of his personal items revealed he had taken his passport, birth certificate, driving licence, bank card, £1,700 in cash and a card which allows him to work on construction sites. His mobile phone was left behind.

His family had no idea what has happened to him or where he has been in the six years since.

When he was found in Spain, authorities there got in touch with Interpol and carried out a finger print match - and they're 99 per cent sure the man they have is Matthew.

Mrs Green added: 'We had a call from Kent Police and a lady came round to say that they had located Matthew as being in Spain.

'Apparently this guy came across as acting a bit strange and their social aid - like our social services - had come across him and he didn't know who he was. He gave two alias names and also Matthew Green.

'They got in touch with Interpol and they've done a finger print match and they're 99.9 per cent sure it's Matthew. Everything has snowballed from there.'

Matthew's family did not give up and made posters which were issued to publicise his disappearance in 2010

Matthew's father described it as a heart-stopping moment when they were told the news.

He said: 'When we got the knock on the door and she said it's about Matthew but it's nothing to worry about, my heart nearly stopped. We didn't know what to say or do.'

Mr Green said there are so many unanswered questions that him and wife Pauline are desperate to know.

Mr Green added: 'I know he's a grown man, but put yourselves in our place.

'After all this time it would be such a relief (to see him) for all of us, all the family and friends that we know have been concerned. I'd give him a hug and a cuddle.'

The family have previously tried to track down a woman, called Jodie, who Matt went out with and then split up with shortly before his disappearance.

Relatives are now hoping to enlist the help of a private investigator to help get in touch with their long lost son.

Frustratingly, Matthew's parents have not even been shown a photo of their son (pictured before his disappearance) so do not know what he looks like now

The family has approached criminologist and former detective Mark Williams-Thomas.

Kent Police confirmed that Mr Green has been located in 'Europe'.

A force spokesman said: 'Matthew Green was 26 years old when he was reported missing, and European authorities confirmed in May 2016 that he had been located in Europe.

'His family has been informed and Kent Police has closed its missing person inquiry as of 16 May 2016.'