A GAY man falsely accused of rape by a lesbian who became infatuated with him says he has lost faith in the justice system and believes any appeal would be pointless.

The man, who wanted to be known only by his surname of 'Malik', is now trying to rebuild his shattered life after being falsely accused of rape by former University of Worcester student Lottie Harris who now identifies as a man called 'Lucien'.

Harris was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years, ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid work and pay compensation of £2,500 to Mr Malik who does not believe he will ever see all the money which Harris was ordered to pay at a rate of £100 per month.

Harris admitted six counts of perverting the course of justice between September 18, 2016 and July 23, 2017 after making a string of false allegations to police, including claims Mr Malik had raped her, threatened to cut her throat and even put his penis through her keyhole.

Mr Malik first met Harris when they worked together at a bar in Worcester city centre. Harris would give him love notes and would make inappropriate comments, staring at Mr Malik and following him around. Mr Malik was so upset by her behaviour that he left his job because he wanted to avoid working with Harris when she returned to Worcester for fresher's week.

Mr Malik, speaking from his Worcester city centre flat, said: "After the sentence that day I have lost faith in the criminal justice system. When I returned home and sat down and thought about everything I realised the sentence was completely wrong.

"The sentence was far too lenient. The judge was very soft. I can't believe the sentence was so soft after I stood there and read out by victim personal statement to the court which described in harrowing detail the nightmare I went through."

However, he said he has taken heart from the comments of support and solidarity he had received from Worcester News readers and wished to thank in particular PC Dave Hawkins of West Mercia Police whom he described as his 'only friend and support' during the ordeal.

Mr Malik said he lived alone and had no friends or family. He added: "Once the damage is done it's hard to build people's trust back up again.

"People chose to believe her lies and did not give me a chance to explain myself. I feared I was going to go to jail. I was left alone to clear my name. Everyone withdrew. They didn't want to get involved. I still feel low and ostracised. I am scarred for life. This wound can never heal."

He criticised the wording of the indictment drafted by the Crown Prosecution Service which charged on only six counts despite the court prosecutor mentioning 23 false allegations made by Harris against Mr Malik.

No reference was made to rape on the indictment despite two such allegations being mentioned in the prosecution opening. Mr Malik believes this rape allegation was the most 'substantial' aspect of the case against Harris and should have featured on the indictment.

Patrick Kelly, prosecuting, had been asked by judge Jim Tindal why the false accusation of rape was not mentioned on the indictment. Mr Kelly said there were 'allegations other than rape and just as serious'.

One of the most bizarre lies was that Mr Malik had put his penis through a keyhole and that Harris had turned a key in the lock, causing him to bleed. Harris also lied that Mr Malik had threatened to slit her throat several times. He was arrested at work because of her lies and spent nearly 24 hours in a prison cell.

Harris, now of Romney Close, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, set up fake profiles on a gay dating app, some in the name of Mr Malik. He even arrived for a date with a man only to have Harris turn up instead.

Mr Malik said: "I tried to fight for justice but feel I've got nothing out of it. It feels like nothing can be done no matter how I try or who I go to."