Mother Admits False Rape Claims Against Ten Men in Dating App Deception
Stacy Sharples, a 31-year-old mother from Farnworth, is facing a substantial prison sentence after pleading guilty to ten counts of perverting the course of justice. Bolton Crown Court heard how she systematically fabricated rape allegations against men she met through dating applications, weaving what the prosecution described as a 'wicked pack of lies'. Her actions resulted in multiple innocent men enduring hours in police custody and months on bail, with the financial burden to taxpayers estimated conservatively at £120,000.
Systematic Deception and Victim Impact
The court was presented with a pattern of behaviour where Sharples would meet men through platforms like Plenty of Fish, engage in consensual sexual contact, and then later falsely accuse them of rape when relationships soured or her advances were rejected. In one particularly callous instance, she bragged to a victim that the police were 'not pressing charges. I've got away with it. Yet again.' This remark underscored her calculated approach to manipulating the justice system.
Among the victims was Reece Lockett, whom she met in 2018. After some initial contact, Mr Lockett found her behaviour 'weird' and declined further involvement. When Sharples arranged another meeting the following year with a friend present, tensions escalated. After Mr Lockett expressed disinterest and offered to drop her off nearby rather than drive her home, Sharples retorted, 'watch what happens now,' before dialling 999 to accuse both him and his cousin of rape. Both men were subsequently detained for hours.
A Trail of Fabricated Allegations
The deception extended back to 2013 with Kaylum Davies, who was arrested and spent eighteen months on bail after Sharples falsely claimed he and others forced her into sex acts while threatening her with a knife. Her story was so inconsistent that charges were never brought, but the ordeal left a lasting impact. Similarly, James Blundell faced seventeen hours in custody and six months under investigation after consensual sex at a hostel led to Sharples reporting a rape that never occurred.
Other victims included Andrew Dearden, who was bombarded with messages after a consensual encounter and then falsely accused, spending nearly nine hours in custody. Anthony Green was accused of physical violence, while Andrew Jackson and Jack Byrne also fell prey to her lies. In several cases, Sharples obstructed investigations by refusing interviews or medical examinations, further complicating matters for authorities.
Psychological Context and Legal Proceedings
Upon her arrest, Sharples pointed to mental health struggles, stating, 'You need to look into my mental health. That’s all I need to say. You’ll never understand, I had a s*** upbringing.' She described herself as a 'ticking timebomb', yet this did not mitigate the profound harm caused. Victim impact statements revealed one man considered suicide due to the allegations, while another labelled Sharples a 'wolf in sheep's clothing'.
Judge Clarke condemned her actions, noting, 'I take the view that she was a sexual predator. This has taken resources away from genuine crime and genuine victims.' Defence counsel Hunter Gray acknowledged the lack of a 'satisfactory explanation', conceding that Sharples struggles to accept 'full responsibility' but has shown 'some remorse' and 'some insight'.
Sharples pleaded guilty to all charges and is scheduled for sentencing on March 11, with the court expected to consider the severe emotional and financial repercussions of her crimes.
