News

A 20-year-old Deal woman pleaded guilty to wasting police time when she appeared at Channel Magistrates Court in Folkestone on Thursday (18 August).

She admitted falsely alleging that she had been abducted and raped in Deal, claiming that two men bundled her into a car and drove her to a car park in Walmer before one of the men raped her in the early hours of Sunday 6 February 2011.

She has been bailed pending pre-sentence reports and will return to court on Thursday 15 September for sentencing.

Acting Detective Inspector Matt Banks from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, which investigated the rape allegation, said: “This allegation caused heightened concern within the Deal community and involved considerable time and resources to investigate.

“Kent Police is totally committed to the investigation of rape and we take every allegation seriously.

“It takes considerable bravery for a rape victim to come forward to report a crime and we will always sensitively and thoroughly investigate all reported rapes. Our priority is always the victim.

“Therefore, it is extremely disappointing when rape is reported and it is established that the victim has in fact lied,” he added.

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2011©