Crime Solicitors

A woman who made false allegations of sexual offences has been convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice.

At Southwark Crown Court in southeast London, Jemma Beale, 25, was found guilty of four counts of perverting the course of justice and four counts of perjury.

Within the space of four years, Beale claimed she had been seriously sexually assaulted by six men and raped by nine – all strangers – in four different encounters.

As a result of a rape allegation by Beale, one man was imprisoned – during his trial, Jemma Beale lied under oath, saying she would never have sexual relations with a man and that therefore any sexual relations could not have been with her consent. She made the same claims in a retrial.

It was later discovered she had a boyfriend with whom she had a sustained sexual relationship – and some time after the trial, she also confessed to a third party that her allegation had been false.

Another man whom she accused of two serious sexual assaults fled the country – her allegations led to his arrest, but a later review of CCTV evidence showed the allegations to be false.

After Beale made another allegation in November 2013, the police reviewed all of her previous claims and discovered a clear and sustained pattern of wilful falsification.

Her accounts were contradicted by medical evidence, forensic evidence and witness testimony.

In one false claim on 7 July 2012, she self-harmed using wire to fake an alleged sexual assault by several men after she left a pub in Hounslow.

London Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) reviewing lawyer, Samuel Main, said:

“False allegations of sexual assault and rape are rare, but, when made, they are serious, as they undermine the credibility of genuine victims and the efforts of the CPS and police to see perpetrators brought to justice.

“Jemma Beale was a determined liar, who repeatedly went to great lengths to fabricate evidence, in an attempt to see innocent men convicted – including telling deliberate lies under oath.

“She knew what she was doing, but cynically tried to use the criminal justice system to serve her own purpose.

“In the circumstances of this case, it was right that a prosecution was brought.

“However, this has been an unusual case – and it is important for genuine victims of rape or sexual assault to understand that they should never fear coming forward to report the crime to police.

“The CPS will never prosecute somebody for perverting the course of justice simply because, for instance, there may be discrepancies in the evidence – or because the victim chooses not to continue to support a case, if the prosecution stops the case, or if a jury finds the defendant not guilty.

“A prosecution will only be brought where there is clear evidence that the allegation was provably false.”

Beale is due to be sentenced on 24 August.

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers – Sexual Offences

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers can advise at any stage of a charge involving sexual offences, including rape, attempted rape, conspiracy to rape, sexual assault, grooming, child sexual exploitation, historical charges involving child sexual abuse, revenge porn, prostitution – and making, downloading, or distributing indecent images.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales – and a Duncan Lewis criminal defence solicitor can usually reach a police station for interview under caution within an hour.

For expert legal advice on sexual offences – including false allegations of rape and sexual assault – call Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Solicitors 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.