Barnsley woman punished for making false rape claim

The 33-year-old falsely claimed she had been sexually assaulted in Barnsley town centre last weekend and was issued with a fixed penalty notice by police.

Barnsley Command Team Chief Inspector Mark James said: “A thorough investigation was immediately carried out from the initial report received and the woman was provided support from specially trained officers.

“However, as the investigation progressed, a number of discrepancies in the claim became apparent and there was no evidence to corroborate or substantiate the woman’s claims, with CCTV footage confirming beyond doubt that an attack had not actually taken place.

“False reports of rape or any sexual assault are not only are an incredible waste of police resources and time, as well as the significant cost involved, but it is detrimental to the actual victims of this type of crime.”

He added: “Reporting a sexual offence can be a very distressing experience, and the false claims effectively detract from the severity and serious nature of these crimes and from the painful reality for the actual victims.

“I would encourage anyone who is a victim of a sexual offence to please contact police as we will always thoroughly investigate any reports and provide support throughout the judicial process.”