CRIME FILES: 'False rape allegations ruined my life'

The man from Worcester, whose identity we have agreed to protect, was arrested twice because of the lies of former University of Worcester student Lottie Harris who now identifies as a man called 'Lucien'.

He spoke of his 'living hell' after being falsely accused of rape by a woman who became 'infatuated' with him.

The complainant courageously read out his victim personal statement at Worcester Crown Court on March 26, 2018, describing how he had been 'scarred for life' because of the false claims.

The 23-year-old defendant, now of Romney Close, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, had already admitted six counts of perverting the course of public justice between September 18, 2016 and July 23, 2017.

However, because the indictment drafted by the prosecution did not make any reference to the false rape accusations the judge, Jim Tindal, said he could not sentence Harris for this but would treat it as an aggravating feature.

Patrick Kelly, prosecuting, said Harris had made a total of 23 false allegations against the man, claiming he put his penis through a keyhole of her door.

The man was said to have suffered an injury as a result which meant he had to undergo a physical examination because of the lie.

The complainant read out his victim personal statement, describing how he had spent nearly 24 hours in a police cell because of the false claims by Harris.

He said: "My life has been a living hell. I feel like I have been living in limbo for the last 18 months. I did not feel anyone would believe me."

Before he was arrested he had never had contact with the police and told the court he feared he would go to jail and that Harris's lies would damage his future job prospects.

He also said how he was always 'looking over my shoulder to see if Harris is there' and would have nightmares he was locked up in a police cell.

The complainant added: "I feel scarred for life. I was arrested in full view of customers and colleagues. I work quite close to my home address in Worcester city centre. It has proved to be very embarrassing and shameful.

"I have lost the respect of people I work with and they saw me arrested.

"I don't understand why Lottie set out to ruin my life. It's not a joke to treat someone like this."

The man said he had never received an apology from Harris and believed she had shown no remorse.

He said: "Men are victims too. I hope the sentence reflects the seriousness of what she has done.

"She has manipulated the system to portray me as the criminal and her as the victim. It's the other way round.

"I don't think I will ever get back to how it was before or recover from what she's done to me."

Patrick Kelly, prosecuting, said Harris made a number of false allegations, not all of which were reflected on the indictment itself.

Mr Kelly said Harris had lied that the man had held a knife to her neck on October 26, 2016. The defendant made a false allegation of rape the following day and an allegation that the man threatened to slit the defendant's throat on March 31, 2017.

However, Harris's 'concoctions', as the complainant himself called them, were disproved by police after they examined the evidence which include CCTV footage and clear alibis.

Harris had no previous convictions and a psychiatric report found she had emotionally unstable personality disorder and gender dysphoria

Mark Savage, defending, said a GP had spoken to Harris before these offences took place when she had questioned her gender identity and was told 'go away, you're depressed'.

"What is clear is that this is not a young person actuated by malice. It's a young person struggling with identity. This is not a young person without qualities. This is a man who wishes to make good where he can what he has done wrong" said Mr Savage.

He also praised the 'courageousness and elegance' of the complainant's victim personal statement.

The judge said Harris now identified as a man and he would respect that but said he wished the defendant had shown as much respect as his victim 'whose life you made a living hell'.

"The story starts in 2016 when you started working with the complainant. You became infatuated with him even though he made it clear he wasn't interested" he said.

The judge said Harris was a 'liar' who had set up fake Facebook profiles and made false complaints of rape to police, withdrawing the allegations then pursuing them again after the man made a complaint of harassment against Harris.

The judge sentenced her to two years in prison, suspended for two years, ordered her to complete 300 hours of unpaid work and ordered her to pay compensation of £2,500 to the victim.

A restraining order was also imposed which prohibits Harris having contact directly or indirectly with the complainant. It also bans her from entering Worcestershire.

Speaking outside court the victim said: "She formed a weird, romantic fixation. I said 'you're a lesbian and I'm gay', I don't understand the logic behind it. People still look at me with disgust and I had done nothing wrong.

"My partner left me because of her. I was about to lose my job. I lost all my friends and went into depression. This was torture for me. Every day I live in fear, not knowing what allegation she will make up next.

"People always think women are the victims but it can be the other way around as well.

"Once you're scarred you never heal. It's a recurring nightmare. It goes through my head over and over again."

He attacked the sentence of the judge after the hearing.

"£2,500? Really? Is that what I'm worth? I'm very disappointed in the punishment. Justice was not served. It does not cover the two years of trauma, turmoil and tragedy I have suffered. I feel she should have gone to prison" he said.