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False Rape Accuser Re-Sentenced To Prison After Making Claims Against Three Men

False Rape Accuser Re-Sentenced To Prison After Making Claims Against Three Men

Anna Costin was given three years community service but re-sentenced to four years jail as the original sentence was deemed 'too lenient'

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

A woman who walked free from court despite wrongly accusing three men of rape has now been jailed for four years after it was agreed that her original sentence was 'too lenient'.

Anna Costin, 30, was handed three years of community service in March after admitting to seven counts of perverting the course of justice.

According to the MailOnline, the woman, who has mental health problems, accused three men of rape and a fourth of physically assaulting her at home.

But today the Appeal Court in London heard that one of her victims had a 'cast-iron alibi', as he was away on holiday at the time she said the offence took place.

Another victim proved that he had been home watching TV when she alleged he raped her. All three of the accused men had to undergo extensive medical examinations.

It has been reported that one was particularly vulnerable due to his own mental state.

Anna Costin
Anna Costin

Lady Justice Heather Hallett, one of the judges at the Court of Appeal, agreed that Costin's original suspended sentence was too lenient and the Crown Court Judge had 'placed too much emphasis on her problems and difficulties' and not enough on the ordeal of the victims.

The appeal court judge said: "This pattern of offending was in our view extremely serious. We acknowledge the extent of her difficulties and the considerable care and support which professionals have offered her over the years.

"However, to our mind, the level of seriousness of these offences is such that it was not possible to impose a community penalty."

She said that the court would have passed a sentence of six and a half years if Costin had denied the charges.

Lady Justice Hallett.
PA

The court heard that the false allegations against the men were made between January and March 2016. She told officers how one of the men raped her on the carpet of her home. He was arrested but quickly released when police confirmed his alibi.

Soon after, Costin made another complaint of sexual assault against the same man, claiming he touched her breasts. He was arrested again but freed after giving a compelling alibi.

The second victim was accused of raping Costin at her home in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, but police were able to confirm that he was at home watching TV at the time. Costin then responded by making another false complaint of rape against him.

He was then able to prove that he was eating a take-away at home.

Lady Justice Hallett.
PA

Her case ended up in the Appeal Court as lawyers for the Attorney General, Jeremy Wright QC, branded her sentence 'unduly lenient'.

The MailOnline reported that Lady Justice Hallett was sitting alongside two other judges and noted Costin's 'extensive history of mental health difficulties'.

She also highlighted the 'insidious' nature of her crimes, which has a deeply traumatic impact on her four victims.

Costin was ordered to surrender to police custody in Shrewsbury by noon tomorrow to start her sentence.

Featured Image Credit: LPC Law

Topics: UK News, News, UK, court