|
|
Allegations
of Sexual Abuse in NZ |
|
A 17-year-old
Christchurch woman who was embarrassed about a drunken sexual encounter with
two men in a Nelson park has been charged with making a false statement to
police, after claiming she was raped. Six detectives were
assigned to the case after the young woman told police she had been gagged
and raped by two men at Centennial Park in Tahunanui early on Thursday
morning. She claimed she was
attacked by the men, who were aged between 15 and 25, after she went to
relieve herself in a bush. She had earlier seen them riding ``double'' on a
mountainbike. She admitted she had
been drinking. Detective Senior
Sergeant Wayne McCoy of Nelson CIB said the young woman had been charged with
making a false statement, after police investigations into her complaint. ``Inquiries made with
neighbours revealed the victim had not told us the whole truth about the
incident,'' he said. ``Further inquiries
revealed she had actually met these guys earlier on in the evening.'' Mr McCoy said the woman
had been at a campground with the men earlier that night, and alcohol was a
significant factor in her actions. ``She was embarrassed
about the whole thing afterwards. Her friends found out and she had nowhere
to go, basically. `` She was in a hard
place because her friends wanted to make a complaint to police, and she went
along with it.'' The woman was
interviewed again yesterday after extensive police inquiries, including
forensic testing, and information from the public. ``She admitted she made
a false statement to us,'' Mr McCoy said. Police still want to
talk to the owner of the mountainbike, which was left behind in the park, and
the two men involved. Mr McCoy said they would not be charged but could help
the police finish their inquiries. The incident was a
timely reminder for people over the New Year holiday, Mr McCoy said. He urged young people
not to go off alone, or allow friends to wander off, when drinking. ``Please
look after your mates.'' |
