World

Eleanor Williams, British woman who made false sex abuse claims about South Asian men, jailed for 8.5 years

A British woman who falsely accused South Asian men of sexual abuse has been jailed for eight and a half years.

Eleanor Williams, 24, was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court after admitting to 13 charges of perverting the course of justice. Her accusations caused a major investigation into the men, all of whom were later cleared of any wrongdoing.

The charges relate to allegations made between August 2018 and October 2019 in which Williams claimed she was raped, sexually assaulted and subjected to physical violence by South Asian men.

The false claims resulted in a major police investigation, with officers carrying out searches, questioning around 100 people and making multiple arrests.

Williams’ false accusations put innocent people through significant distress and caused significant disruption to the lives of those falsely accused.

The court heard that Williams had been subjected to an abusive relationship and her false claims were part of a “manipulative and calculated” campaign against the men she accused.

Judge Stephen Earl said Williams had caused “untold damage” to the lives of the men she accused and said her false claims had “driven a wedge” between communities.

Judge Earl said: “You have shown no remorse at all and you have caused untold damage to these men and their families.

“You have driven a wedge between the South Asian community and the wider community. This was a campaign of vilification against these men and their families.”

Detective Chief Inspector Dave English, of Northumbria Police, said: “This has been an incredibly difficult case to investigate and I am pleased with the sentence handed down by the judge today.

“The false allegations made by Williams had a serious impact on the lives of the men she accused, as well as their families, who have been through an incredibly difficult period.”