A woman who made a false allegation of rape in Braintree has been fined £80 for wasting police time.

The woman in her 40s, whose identity is not being released by Essex Police, had alleged on Friday evening that she was attacked while at the home of a Braintree man in his 60s.

Detectives carried out extensive inquiries over the weekend and on Saturday morning arrested a man on suspicion of rape.

But later investigations revealed the allegation was untrue and the woman later confirmed this to police officers.

She was issued with an £80 fixed penalty notice for wasting police time, while the arrested man was informed he was no longer under suspicion.

Published Tuesday, October 5, 2004

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