A police probe has been launched after a gay couple claimed builders targeted them with homophobic slurs and threats of violence.
Chris Copley-Hammond and husband John, both 49, say they have been left frightened in their own home by workmen.
They allege footage shows men on a work site next to their home hurling abuse like "perverts" and "paedophile" in their direction.
The pair claim their ordeal stared with "the odd comment" from builders working on a new housing development since May last year.
But they allege the abuse has escalated over the last few months by a construction crew working on scaffolding overlooking their garden in Stroud, Gloucestershire.
The situation came to a head last week when John went out to confront the workmen after claiming they threw cement into his garden.
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The couple claim footage recorded by John shows a group of builders hurling slurs at them, while also offering him out for a fight.
The same clip shows the builders denying the accusations put to them.
The couple say John was targeted with verbal abuse, with slurs like "pervert" and "dirty little paedophile" used.
"Come out the front then" can be heard on the couple's video, as well as: "I'll smash one of these through your window you c***.
"Filming me mate, you dirty little paedophile you are. Filming me, you pervert."
John can then be heard telling the group he is going to press charges.
The victim also films cement covering his garden before labelling the workmen a "disgrace" and vowing to get them all fired.
Property developers Bales Homes Ltd. has apologised for the "regrettable" incident.
They say the individuals involved were subcontractors and have been removed from the site.
John and Chris, who have two primary-school aged sons, have also reported the builders to Gloucestershire Police.
The force confirmed it was investigating.
John said: "We've been left really frightened. I wasn't sure whether to report it to the police, but it is a hate crime.
"We can't live like this in our own home."
Chris claimed: "To have to put up with this in our own garden is just not on.
"It's really quite upsetting - we're both 49 years old now, but we were both bullied at school, and it does bring up those feelings again.
"A lot of the comments they have made are ridiculous homophobic things that were said as slurs in the 70s.
"To hear stuff like that in this day and age is just unbelievable. It's quite pathetic, really."
Chris said that it was "upsetting" that this has happened as he and John moved to Stroud eight years ago because of its reputation as an "accepting" town.
He said: "We have felt very welcomed and very accepted here, it is a great community on the whole.
"We founded the first Stroud Pride group three years ago, and it was fantastic. We got a great reception.
"So for something like this to now happen is quite upsetting."
Siobhan Baillie, Conservative MP for Stroud, said the abuse John and Chris have been subjected to is "unacceptable".
She said: "In the 21st century it is unacceptable that this sort of homophobic abuse is still in our society.
"No-one should have to put up with it, particularly not in their own home. The law protects gay people from such abuse.
"I hope the police will thoroughly investigate what has happened, and if they find sufficient evidence an offence has been committed they should ensure charges are brought."
Gloucestershire Police said: "We received a report of homophobic comments being made towards a couple in Stroud.
"We have spoken to the victims and are currently investigating.
"We take all incidents of hate crime seriously and will investigate to ensure offenders are dealt with appropriately and victims are given a voice."
Lee Bales, managing director of Bales Homes, has apologised for the "regrettable" incident.
He said: "Bales Homes are very sorry this has happened. It’s a regrettable situation and we feel sorry that the situation arose in the first place.
"Unfortunately the individuals involved were subcontractors.
"As soon as we were informed as to what was happening, we complained to the Director of the subcontracting company and had the individuals removed from the site.
"Bales Homes have taken this complaint very seriously as the views expressed are not our own, and we will make sure it doesn’t happen again."
Bales Homes declined to reveal the name of the subcontractors.
