A TEENAGE girl who claimed a man dragged her into a toilet at Strathfield railway station and raped her, has been charged with making a false statement to police.

The 17-year-old girl told police an older man she met on the train forced her into the toilet block, where he sexually assaulted her for almost 30-minutes.

Police immediately began an investigation, fearing a sexual predator was on the loose.

Later that day on January 22, a 34-year-old man was arrested and charged with sexual assault. He was refused bail.

But a few days later, police said fresh information was obtained, and the charges against the man were formally withdrawn in court.

Following an investigation, police yesterday charged the 17-year-old girl with making a false statement.

She is due to face a children’s court on April 24.