A woman has formally indicated she will plead not guilty to charges that she fabricated serious sexual abuse allegations against two former politicians and a senior police officer.
Not Guilty Pleas Entered at Liverpool Court
Esther Baker, 43, from West Derby in Liverpool, signalled her not guilty pleas during a brief hearing at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. She faces four separate charges of perverting the course of justice. Her solicitor, David Woods, stated clearly for the court record that his client maintains the accusations she originally made are truthful.
Details of the Alleged False Claims
The charges relate to claims Baker is alleged to have made falsely. According to court documents, two of the counts involve her allegedly falsely identifying former Liberal Democrat MP John Hemming and the late Liberal Democrat peer, Roy Jenkins, as individuals who committed sexual offences against her. Roy Jenkins, a former Labour and Social Democratic Party MP, died in 2003.
A third accusation states she falsely identified Simon Cole, the former Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police who died in 2022, as someone who aided or abetted sexual offences committed against her.
The fourth charge alleges that on one or more occasions, Baker falsely claimed she was a victim of sexual offences committed by groups of males in locations including Cannock Chase in Staffordshire, other outdoor areas, private houses, and unknown sites.
All the alleged offences are said to have taken place between 31 December 2014 and 19 September 2020.
Bail Granted and Case Proceeds to Crown Court
District Judge Timothy Boswell granted Baker unconditional bail following the hearing. The case has now been sent to Liverpool Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing. Baker is next scheduled to appear there on 11 February.
The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed last week that these charges followed what they described as an extensive investigation. This investigation was launched into claims made during a separate probe into alleged organised sexual abuse involving public figures.
The details of the allegations were not read aloud in the magistrates' court, but were contained within case documents presented to the judge.
