Teen who lied about sex attack sentenced

A teenage girl who lied about being sexually abused has been sentenced.

The 17-year-old girl, from Rochdale, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice at an earlier hearing and was given an 11 month referral order at Rochdale Magistrates' Court yesterday (Tuesday 3 August 2010).

On 6 February 2010, the girl reported to Greater Manchester Police that she had been sexually assaulted and named her alleged 'attacker' who was then arrested. He was taken to a police station and questioned, and because he did not speak any English translators had to be brought in.

A total of four detectives, a uniformed officer, custody officers, a custody sergeant, a GMP interpreter, language line interpreter and legal aid solicitor were all involved at this point.

The man was eventually charged and bailed, and as part of his bail conditions had to leave his wife and family and move to an address outside Greater Manchester.

On 7 March 2010, the teenager alleged the man had broken his bail conditions and intimidated her. He was subsequently arrested, charged and bailed.

His total time in custody - police, court and prison - equated to about six days and four hours and he spent 79 days on bail living away from his town and family.

On Tuesday 20 April 2010, Greater Manchester Police were called to the teenager's home for an unrelated matter during which she admitted she had lied about both allegations.

Detective Constable Ben Harris, of Rochdale CID, said: "Greater Manchester Police encourages anyone who has been a victim of rape or any sort of sexual abuse to come forward. We treat every allegation seriously and will investigate thoroughly and without any prejudice.

"However, we must also treat lying to the police about such an awful crime equally seriously. Unfortunately, false allegations make a mockery of the experiences suffered by genuine victims.

"In investigating this false claim, officers wasted countless hours interviewing witnesses and on paperwork when they could have been on the streets doing real police work.

"Not only that, but the man she alleged was responsible had to spend nearly three months in and out of custody cells and away from his family, wrongly accused of offences he did not commit. Unfairly, he has put through a tremendous amount of stress when he is completely innocent."