Woman falsely accused 10 men of raping her – ‘I’ve got away with it’ | UK | News

A mother faces jail after falsely accusing 10 men of rape, with a judge branding her claims a “wicked package of lies”. Stacy Sharples, of Lucas Road, Bolton, admitted 10 counts of perverting the course of justice after making a series of false allegations that triggered lengthy police investigations.

Some of the men remained in police custody for hours, while others were on bail or released under investigation for months following the accusations. None of the men were charged. The trial, heard at Bolton Crown Court, found that some men had consensual sexual intercourse with Sharples, while others had no sexual intercourse with her. In one case, a man he had falsely accused encountered Sharples on the street after he had been acquitted. She ran to a nearby chip shop and called 999, claiming he was threatening to kill her. When the man said police were investigating him instead, Sharples replied: “They’re not pressing charges. That’s me getting away with it again.”

But Sharples faces a prison sentence after admitting crimes that prosecutors say cost the public purse around £120,000.

Sentencing, Judge Nicholas Clarke KC said the allegations had “destroyed” the lives of the men involved.

He told the court: “I want to make it clear to anyone who reads anything about their names anywhere that these men’s lives have been devastated by unfortunate allegations involving sexual assault, none of which are true.”

He added: “Only at her request did he belatedly admit that it was all a nasty pack of lies.”

Prosecutor Mark Monaghan said the charges were against men she met through social media and dating sites such as Plenty of Fish.

In many cases, Sharples contacted police claiming to have been violently raped, only to obtain evidence such as text messages, witness statements and phone records that contradicted her claims.

*** Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us your Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings. ***

The court heard that a man who falsely accused him of forcing himself into sexual intercourse, even though there was no sexual relationship between them, was granted 18-month bail.

Another man was arrested and detained for 17 hours after claiming he was raped following a consensual encounter.

Other victims were arrested or detained for hours while police investigated before discovering the allegations were false.

Victim impact statements described the devastating toll the accusations took.

One man said he had a mental breakdown, while another said he moved abroad to rebuild his life and was separated from his children.

Others said the allegations destroyed relationships, left them ostracized by family and friends and caused lasting trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder.

Judge Clarke said Sharples’ actions diverted vital resources away from real victims.

He said: “My view is that he is a sexual predator. This has diverted resources away from the real crimes and the real victims.”

Hunter Gray, defending, told the court there was “no satisfactory explanation” for Sharples’ actions but there were long-standing concerns about his mental health and intelligence.

He added: “Not only does this harm the victims, but actual rape victims are harmed and the wider administration of the criminal justice system suffers as well.”

Sharples, of Lucas Road, Farnworth, pleaded guilty to 10 counts of perverting the course of justice and was remanded in custody before sentencing.

He will be sentenced on March 11.