A London woman has been convicted of blackmail and perverting the course of public justice after making a false rape claim in Hong Kong. Isabel Rose, 25, from Hackney, is now facing a possible prison sentence after a judge ruled that her allegations were fabricated.
Rose travelled to Hong Kong in early 2024 to visit a British man she had met while travelling in Thailand. She reported to police that she had been raped, leading to the man's arrest. He was later released without charge.
Prosecutors accused Rose of threatening to make a false rape report to extort up to £100,000 from the man. The court heard that she demanded £5,000 shortly after the alleged assault and later increased the demand to £100,000, threatening to report him to police if he did not pay.
Judge Adriana Noelle Tse Ching at Wanchai District Court said: 'The demands were unwarranted. The alleged rape was false. The defendant knew that her allegation was false.' Rose wept in the dock as the verdict was delivered.
Rose has been on bail in Hong Kong for two years and was remanded in custody. She will be sentenced on July 22. Under Hong Kong law, both crimes carry potential prison sentences.
Speaking before the verdict, Rose told the BBC: 'I reported it to the police within 72 hours, and very quickly after the allegation was dropped completely and I was the one left facing charges of blackmail.' After the verdict, she said: 'I want to go home... I'm scared, I'm really scared.' Her mother said the case has taken a severe toll on her mental health.
