A woman who fabricated claims of being raped by multiple men and trafficked by an Asian grooming gang has been sentenced to eight and a half years in prison. Eleanor Williams, 22, from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice after posting photos of self-inflicted injuries on social media.
Preston Crown Court heard that Williams used a hammer to cause the wounds herself. Her false allegations sparked protests in Barrow and led to three men being wrongly accused over a three-year period, with each attempting suicide after being targeted. One man, Jordan Trengove, spent 73 days in prison after being charged based on her claims.
Williams accused businessman Mohammed Ramzan of grooming her from age 12 and forcing her into prostitution in Amsterdam. Police investigations revealed she had travelled alone to Blackpool, where she bought a Pot Noodle and watched YouTube in her hotel room. Another man, Oliver Gardner, was sectioned under the Mental Health Act after being falsely accused of rape and trafficking.
Judge Robert Altham described Williams' allegations as 'complete fiction' and noted she had shown 'no significant sign of remorse'. He said she had gone to 'extraordinary lengths' to create false accusations, including causing herself significant injury. The judge added that her claims created a 'state of heightened tension' in Barrow for about four months.
In a letter read to the court, Williams expressed regret for the 'trouble caused' by her Facebook post but did not accept guilt. Following the sentencing, Mr Trengove said he did not believe the sentence was long enough and planned to take action against the police. Mr Ramzan said he felt 'no sense of triumph, only sadness'.
