Friday, January 14, 2011

UK - Woman who falsely accused husband given court order

Link: http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/8788804.Woman_who_falsely_accused_husband_given_court_order/


Woman who falsely accused husband given court order

A WOMAN who repeatedly made false allegations against her husband could be jailed if she breaks a court order to stop her wasting police time.

Amanda Taylor was yesterday prohibited from contacting more than a dozen named people, including a doctor and police officers in North Yorkshire.

The 34-year-old was due to stand trial on 21 charges of perverting the course of justice, but they were dropped after two days of legal discussions.

The case collapsed after doctors were unable to agree whether Taylor was of sound enough mind to realise her claims were false.

Although a judge entered not guilty verdicts on all charges, he warned Taylor they could be held against her if she repeats her behaviour.

The five-year restraining order imposed yesterday bans her from harassing or contacting the named individuals, or from getting someone to do it for her.

Her barrister, Katherine Dunn, told Judge Howard Crowson she had also explained the implications of the order to her client’s husband, David.

Mr Taylor was named in most of his wife’s false claims made to police between March and September 2009, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Twenty untrue reports of rape, abduction, false imprisonment and assault were made against her innocent husband and other unnamed men.

Then in May last year, she made a series of false reports about her and her husband receiving a number of threatening letters.

At an earlier hearing, Miss Dunn said Taylor, of Rye Cottage, Aldbrough St John, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, accepted making all the untrue allegations, but the issue was whether she knew it was wrong.

Judge Crowson said he believed the prosecution had made the right decision and told Taylor: “I hope that it might be the case that this will never happen again.

He added: “Although it resulted in the acquittal of Amanda Taylor, it is necessary to protect people from harassment by her.

“I have read enough statements – both those prepared for the trial and other documents – which make it clear that each and every one of those people does require that type of protection.”


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