Woman fined for making false allegation of rape

A 33-year-old woman from Barnsley has been issued with a fixed penalty notice for wasting police time for making a false allegation of rape.

The woman reported she had been raped in Barnsley Town Centre last weekend.

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."