Image caption Angela England alleged rape following a night out

A mother who falsely accused a taxi driver of raping her has been jailed for 20 months at Mold Crown Court.

Angela England, 42, who was living in Conwy county at the time, admitted perverting the course of justice on 30 May last year.

She claimed the taxi driver had raped her near her home, but his vehicle was fitted with a tracking device which proved she was lying, the court heard.

The false allegation was invented following a night out in Llandudno.

The man was arrested in front of fellow taxi drivers and was then given an "embarrassing" examination at a police station, the court was told.

False allegation of rape is a terrible thing which effects not only the person against whom you make the accusation but it effects the prospects of women genuinely raped from receiving justice in their case Recorder Greg Bull QC, Mold Crown Court

The court heard that when news of the rape allegation became public the taxi driver was insulted in the street and called "rapist".

Some customers threw their money on the pavement rather than handing him their fare.

He had driven England, who now lives in Manchester, and her then partner home after an evening out in Llandudno on 30 May last year.

When they arrived in the village of Mochdre in Conwy county they were unable to pay the full fare. Her partner eventually walked the short distance back to their home, the court heard.

A short time later England, a mother-of-two, appeared at their home looking dishevelled, claiming the taxi driver had stopped the car near a school and raped her.

'Entirely innocent'

Police examined the taxi tracking device, which proved that her allegation was false, the court heard.

Officers also examined CCTV which showed England slowly limping home in pain as a result of an injury she had picked up earlier in the night after falling over.

Recorder Greg Bull QC told England: "False allegation of rape is a terrible thing which affects not only the person against whom you make the accusation but it affects the prospects of women genuinely raped from receiving justice in their case.

"I accept in your case this allegation was made not out of malice to the taxi driver but to cause disruption to your partner. You resented the fact she had walked off."

Richard English, who defended England, said the taxi driver was an "entirely innocent" party and it was accepted he did nothing to provoke such an accusation.

He said England had been trying to make her partner feel guilty about getting out of the car and leaving her.