A Chinese master's student who fabricated rape allegations against a serving police officer has been sentenced to six years in prison and faces probable deportation from the UK.
False Allegations and Swift Arrest
Hao Li, 29, falsely accused the officer of rape following consensual sexual activity in November 2024. The court at Durham Crown Court heard she was the 'driving force' behind the encounter. When the officer, who was off-duty, drove her home afterwards, she contacted police with her fabricated claim.
The policeman was arrested in his car just thirty minutes later. He was then held in police cells for 35 hours before being suspended from duty for a total of five months while the serious allegations were investigated.
Recording Provides Crucial Evidence
The case took a decisive turn due to the officer's own foresight. He had set his mobile phone to record an earlier conversation between the pair, which captured their encounter. This recording proved instrumental in proving his innocence and preventing him from being charged with multiple counts of rape.
Despite this evidence, Li, formerly of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, initially fled the UK before her trial could begin. She was later arrested at Manchester Airport in July upon her return and remanded into custody.
Trial, Conviction and Sentencing
After a two-week trial in December, Li was convicted of three counts of perverting the course of justice, charges she had denied. During the trial, WhatsApp messages were revealed in which Li admitted to the officer that her rape allegation was false and asked for his help to avoid trouble.
Sentencing her on Friday, Judge Nathan Adams stated the officer would have been charged 'had it not been for the recording he made'. The judge emphasised the severe impact of false accusations, warning they risk deterring genuine victims from coming forward and carry a particular weight when made against a police officer.
Judge Adams told Li, who appeared via video link from HMP Low Newton: 'I can't downplay how serious these allegations were and the impact they had on the victim in this case.'
In addition to the six-year prison term, Li was given a six-year restraining order. The judge confirmed she would serve approximately half the sentence in custody before being released on licence, at which point she will likely be deported to China.
