Boyfriend was locked up in high-security Belmarsh jail when woman lied that he raped her after split - but SHE walks free
A man spent 12 days locked up in a high security prison after his ex-girlfriend lied to police and falsely accused him of raping her.
April Bailey, 34, of Woolwich, south east London, gave officers a detailed account of the fictional 'assault' by Andrew Frith, 36, and attended a rape suite where she agreed to DNA swabs being taken.
Mr Frith spent 12 days in Belmarsh Prison, home to some of Britain's most dangerous criminals, before being allowed out on bail, and it was five months before Bailey eventually confessed to police that he hadn't raped her after all.
Yesterday Bailey walked free from court, despite admitting perverting the course of justice by accusing an innocent man and despite the judge telling her: 'What you did was an appalling thing.'
'She said he tried to kiss her and she declined and he later threw her to the floor and punched her in the back, likening herself to a punchbag,' added Mr Temple.
'They went to sleep, she alleged, but as she woke he forced himself on her and made her have sex with him.'
Bailey claimed: 'I was crying and telling him: "No, I don't want to have sex with you".'
Mr Frith was arrested on January 27 and immediately told the officers: 'I think I know who this girl is. Was it April? That girl is crazy.'
However five months later, Bailey went to police saying Mr Frith had not in fact raped her and admitting she had lied.
'Her friend convinced her it was rape and was wrong. She's a vulnerable young woman and her friend saw her emotional, upset and with bruises.'
Bailey was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, given an 18-month supervision order, given a six-month 8pm-8am curfew. The court heard that Mr Frith has since forgiven Bailey for what she did.