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Allegations of Sexual Abuse
in NZ |
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Feilding police now believe there was
no truth to a rape complaint laid by a 20-year-old Bulls woman last week. She claimed she was hitchhiking
just south of Wanganui on October 12 when a man picked her up, refused to
drop her off in Bulls, took her to Levin and raped her before dropping her
off in the town centre. Detective Sergeant Kevin Anstis
said the woman was yesterday arrested for making a false rape complaint. If found guilty she faces a
maximum of three months' prison and a $1000 fine. Police alleged there was no man,
but that she was hitchhiking and picked up by another woman. Mr Anstis said police took rape
complaints very seriously and found it frustrating when they came to this
conclusion. Police had believed there was a
dangerous predator around who was picking up strangers and could strike
again. It also generated fear among the public. Four police staff spent two days
working on the investigation, including one officer being called out from
home at midnight and working until 2pm the following day. This is the second arrest Feilding
police have made this year for a false rape complaint. "What it does is detract from
the genuine cases," Mr Anstis said. Police treat every complaint
seriously and with an open mind until the facts start speaking for
themselves. "If there are any lies told
along the way we will pick it up eventually." The woman will appear in Marton
District Court on October 27. |
