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The Evening Standard
January 13, 2004
Woman made false claim
An investigation into an alleged rape has resulted
in a woman being charged with making a false complaint.
Detective Sergeant Dave Clifford said the woman had alleged that a man had
forced her into an alleyway off Ferguson
Street at 2.30am on Sunday. He allegedly ordered
her to strip and then raped her.
However, the 17-year-old complainant admitted yesterday the claim was false,
and Mr Clifford charged her with making a false statement.
"We spent a hell of a long time on this complaint and it has been
completely wasted," Mr Clifford said.
"On previous occasions the police have resisted charging people with
making a false complaint, but I think it's about time we started, because it
makes it so much harder for the genuine victims to be heard."
The woman will appear in Palmerston North District Court on Friday. The
maximum penalty for making a false statement is three months' imprisonment or
a fine of up to $3000.
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