A WOMAN has been charged with perverting the course of justice after falsely claiming she was raped.Carrie-Anne Carter, 18, from Lygrave in Stevenage, alleged she was raped on June 15 last year on a grassy area adjacent to Pilgrims Way at 7.45am.As a result of the allegations three men were arrested but later released without charge.A week later a description that had been circulated by police in connection with the investigation was withdrawn. Carter appeared at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and her case was sent directly to crown court.Det Ch Supt Jeremy Alford, head of crime management, said: “Rightly we commit extensive specialist resources to allegations of rape to ensure that investigations are conducted thoroughly, professionally and compassionately.“We would never wish to dissuade anyone who has been the victim of rape or sexual assault from reporting it to the police, on the contrary we would urge them to do so in order that the offence can be thoroughly investigated“However false or malicious allegations can detract valuable police resources away from other vital investigations. If allegations of this nature are found to have been made we will always consult with the Crown Prosecution Service to establish if it is in the public interest to take action.”

The Comet