'Cry rape' woman, 21, jailed for two years for false claims against four men

Serial liar: Emma Blunden was starting a two-year prison sentence today after she falsely accused four men of raping her in two separate attacks

A woman was jailed for two years today after being exposed as a serial liar who repeatedly made up stories that she had been raped.

Emma Blunden, 21, from Reading, Berkshire, was sentenced at Reading Crown Court after been convicted of two counts of perverting the course of justice at the same court in December.

The court heard that a total of four men were arrested over both allegations, but all were freed without charge.

Blunden's lies began on July 26, 2008, when she reported to police that she had been raped by James Mabey, 26, in a hostel where she was living in Newbury.

Police then arrested Mr Mabey who was questioned for 17 hours before police realised he was innocent and released him.

The judge was also told about how Blunden boasted about having sex with Mr Mabey and sent him a text message to apologise for getting him arrested.

She was then arrested herself and interviewed about her false allegations but released so that police could investigate further.

While out on bail she went to a party and flirted with a man before letting three men have sex with her in a communal bathroom, one after another.

She then left the party and dialled 999 to say that her train fare money had been stolen before saying she had been gang raped by three men - Shane Roberts, 23, Craig Pilime and Colin McDonagh, both 21.



They were all taken in to custody and were needlessly questioned for up to 13 hours each, before they were released without charge.

Sentencing her Judge John Reddihough said: 'False allegations of rape were made which saw a number of men kept in custody for many hours. The first incident was a misguided attempt to win back a former boyfriend.

'The second saw three men spend from 11 and a half to 13 hours in custody over allegations made against them. Perhaps you were ashamed of your own sexual conduct to these men.

'I take into account no previous convictions, your age, maturity and the pre-sentence report but on two occasions you made false allegations and only a custodial sentence is appropriate in your case.'

Blunden was handed two consecutive 12 month prison sentences for perverting the course of justice and was told she would face a minimum of one year in prison.

Detective Sergeant Elton Evans, from Thames Valley Police, said: 'As a result of Blunden's allegations the men were arrested and had to go through some intimate forensic checks.

'We take every single report of rape very seriously. Each report is dealt with by detectives and other specialist officers who conduct a full investigation at great public expense.

'The investigation of any false or malicious allegation diverts valuable resources away from genuine crimes with genuine victims.

'We will take action against anyone who reports a false crime and wastes police time.'

Defending Blunden Nicholas Doherty said that she needed help to 'amend her personality defects of depression and insecurities.'

