A mother-of-five from Cheshire has been sentenced to two years imprisonment for falsely accusing a compassionate motorist of rape after he offered her a lift home when he found her distressed, drunk and barefoot on a roadside.
False Allegation Against a Good Samaritan
Rachael Jones, aged 38, was returning from a night out with friends in the early hours of April 18, 2022, when she was ejected from a taxi following an argument with the driver. Salim Ullah, a 33-year-old father-to-be from Stoke-on-Trent, was driving past and noticed Jones in a visibly upset state. Concerned for her welfare, he stopped and offered to drive her home safely.
The Fabricated Claim and Its Consequences
After Mr Ullah dropped Jones at her destination and declined her request for a hug, she subsequently contacted police with a fabricated story. Jones falsely alleged that she had been lured into a car and gang-raped by Mr Ullah and two other Pakistani men in a lay-by, claiming the assault lasted 45 minutes and that threats had been made against her life.
This malicious accusation led to Mr Ullah being traced through his vehicle registration, arrested at his home, and detained in a police cell for 30 hours. During this time, he was subjected to intrusive forensic examinations and became the subject of damaging local gossip before investigators determined no rape had occurred.
Critical Evidence That Prevented Injustice
The court heard that Mr Ullah had demonstrated remarkable foresight by recording their entire encounter on his mobile phone. This footage proved crucial in exonerating him and exposing Jones's deception.
In a victim impact statement, Mr Ullah described the profound stress the false allegation caused him and his pregnant wife, stating he feared he might miss the birth of their child due to potential prosecution. He expressed feeling "violated" by the experience and believed he was targeted because of his ethnicity.
Judicial Condemnation of the False Accusation
At Chester Crown Court, where Jones pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice, Judge Steven Everett delivered a stern rebuke. He praised Mr Ullah's "exemplary" behaviour in assisting a stranger in distress, contrasting it with Jones's malicious fabrication.
The judge warned that such false allegations have dangerous societal consequences, potentially deterring people from helping vulnerable individuals. "There will be many people who will say: 'I am not doing that just in case a serious allegation is made,'" Judge Everett stated, emphasising how Jones's actions disservice genuine victims of sexual assault who might be left unaided as a result.
Police Investigation and Defendant's Admission
Prosecutor Thomas McLoughlin detailed how Jones's account unravelled under scrutiny, describing the police investigation as a significant waste of resources that could have been directed toward genuine crimes. When confronted with evidence, Jones admitted inventing the entire incident, blaming her intoxication and describing herself as "a silly woman" who was "disgusting" and deeply sorry.
Her defence counsel, Patrick Williamson, told the court Jones had been "in a difficult place" at the time of the offence, though this did not mitigate the seriousness of her actions.
Broader Implications for Public Trust
While Cheshire Police have not issued any formal apology to Mr Ullah for his arrest, Chief Inspector Claire Jesson emphasised that the case should not deter genuine victims from reporting sexual crimes. She reaffirmed the force's commitment to investigating all such reports thoroughly, regardless of when they occurred.
This case highlights the delicate balance between encouraging public acts of kindness and the serious consequences of false allegations, particularly in an era where recording technology can provide crucial evidence to establish truth.
