Allegations of Sexual Abuse in NZ
	False Allegations - Index
	Cases - 2006
	The Press June 16 2006 Police allege jogger's wounds self-inflicted 2000 hours spent on alleged false complaint by Arwen Hann Police who spent more than 2000 hours investigating a woman's claims she was stabbed while jogging in a northern Christchurch park now believe the attack did not happen. Police launched a massive manhunt after a 47-year-old Christchurch woman claimed she had been stabbed in the Styx Mill Reserve last month, but now it is alleged the attack never happened and that her injuries were self-inflicted. The woman was taken to Christchurch Hospital with wounds to her abdomen and hands after being found by a passer-by in Hussey Road on May 18. She said she had been attacked by a man while jogging in a secluded part of the reserve, but Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Wormald, who led the investigation, said yesterday that police were no longer looking for anyone in relation to the alleged attack. A woman had been charged with making a false complaint to police. Wormald said the woman withdrew the allegations after investigating officers voiced concerns that "pieces of the puzzle were still missing". After the incident, about 50 officers and a helicopter scoured the area, but no trace of an attacker was found. An appeal brought a flood of calls from the public with information and possible sightings of the suspect, leading police to believe he may have been living rough in the area. Wormald said police had been looking closely at one particular suspect. "We had a large amount of information regarding the man in a grey hooded top. We had certainly been looking at someone, and still were in the days leading up to this development," he said. Wormald estimated 2200 staff hours had been spent on the investigation, but he would not reveal the financial cost. The woman's lawyer, Al Manco, declined to comment yesterday. Shirley-Papanui Community Board chairwoman Yvonne Palmer said residents and reserve users would be relieved if the attack had not taken place. "I had a lot of phone calls from worried people following the incident," she said. "I think people will be relieved to know it might not have happened and they should be safe using the reserve. It is important they feel safe. "We always felt that the Styx Mill Reserve was one of the safest parks, but understandably people became wary after this incident. "Although we did call for a safety audit, we were satisfied that it was safe, and I believe the audit report will reflect that." Jan Jordan, senior lecturer in criminology at Victoria University in Wellington, said false complaints were often a cry for help. "People do not normally do this because they are bored or for fun," she said. "There is normally a good reason, and it may be they are making a cry for help." -------------------- CAPTION: Inquiry over: investigation leader Grant Wormald says police are no longer looking for a suspect after a Christchurch stabbing allegation. Photo: John Kirk-Anderson