UK: Woman who made false rape claim warned of jail

Story here. Excerpt:

'A woman who falsely claimed she was raped has been warned by a judge that she could face jail.

June Plunkett, 40, whose address was given as Angus Street, Antrim, started two police investigations after she cut herself with a blade before crying rape, Antrim Crown Court was told.

A judge said false allegations about any crime was serious.

But he said a false rape claim put at risk the credibility of women who had actually been raped.

Earlier in court proceedings, a prosecution lawyer said that on 9 September 2006, Plunkett had claimed she was walking along Styles Way, Antrim, when she was attacked from behind by an armed man who forced her to the ground.

He used a blade to slash her across the chest and abdomen before raping her, she claimed.

The lawyer said that in a video-taped police interview, officers noticed there were inconsistencies in her story.

He said no-one had been made amenable in 2006 and there was a second police investigation in 2011.

At this stage, a conclusion was reached that Plunkett's wounds were, or could have been self-inflicted and that the rape had not happened.'