Sharah Howie, 33, of Victoria Street, Grimsby, has been sentenced to two years in prison after admitting two counts of perverting the course of justice. The charges stem from false allegations she made in April 2022, claiming an innocent man had raped and sexually assaulted her. The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, described his life as ruined after being publicly labelled a "pervert" and physically attacked, including an assault with a hammer.
False Allegations and Immediate Consequences
Craig Lowe, prosecuting at Hull Crown Court, detailed how Howie contacted police on April 18 and 19, 2022, alleging she had been raped earlier that day. She named a specific man, claiming he had asked her to go to the back of Grimsby Minster. Howie later told police she was sorry and that the rape had not occurred, but investigators pressed on to uncover the truth. She provided handwritten notes, including one stating, "Been raped this morning," and claimed the man had sexually assaulted her under her trousers, asserting, "He wouldn't take no for an answer. He carried on."
The accused man was arrested but provided an alibi: he was at his mother's home at the time of the alleged incident. CCTV evidence corroborated his account, contradicting Howie's claims. When confronted, Howie initially admitted, "I have not been truthful. I have lied. I don't know why I have lied," but later reversed her statement, insisting, "It's true what happened to me. I am telling you the truth."
Impact on the Victim
The victim told the court of the severe repercussions: "After getting arrested for this, I was getting shouted at in the street and being called a nonce and a pervert. I was beaten up in the street. I was scared all the time in case I got attacked or accused of something again. Every time I walked down the street, I thought I might get attacked." He added, "This is the worst thing I have ever been accused of. It's disgusting and well wrong. This has had a huge impact on me and is one of the worst things that a man can be accused of."
Things escalated further: "People on the street were calling me nonce, paedo and the like. I got my head stamped on. I was attacked by someone with a hammer. I moved out of Grimsby. I thought I never would but I did. I have lost friends and a 20-year relationship because of this. I still get people who don't believe me when I say I didn't do it. She ruined my life and almost got me killed because of this false accusation." He noted that with support from his sister, his situation is improving, but he will "have to live with this forever, looking over my shoulder."
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Mr Lowe emphasised the seriousness: "There were serious consequences for an innocent person. He was arrested, cautioned and spent time in custody. He had to move out of Grimsby for the best part of three years. The police moved quickly on this one, thankfully." Howie had a prior criminal record, including a one-year suspended prison sentence in May 2021 for perverting the course of justice involving a false claim about a syringe injection. She also had convictions for harassment, sending malicious communications, and criminal damage.
Michele Stuart-Lofthouse, mitigating, said Howie had written a remorseful letter to the court, had suffered personal problems, was easily led, but had been working voluntarily in a shop. She described Howie as "trying to move herself forwards" and "trying to progress," with a reference stating she had "a good heart."
Judge's Remarks and Sentence
Judge John Thackray KC addressed Howie directly: "You committed these two offences during a time when you were subject to a suspended sentence order for the same offence, perverting the course of justice. You wanted revenge on a male. But for his alibi and the quick actions of the police, he could have faced many years in prison. You made two false and very serious sexual allegations. You said that he had raped you. Your false complaints had a very, very bad effect upon him. His mental health has been badly affected. He had to move away from the area for a long time and he was physically attacked. You were making false allegations about serious sexual offences. This was the highest level of harm because it had serious consequences. Your offending is so serious that punishment can only be achieved by way of a prison sentence."
Howie, who had been on bail, was jailed for two years and issued a five-year restraining order.
