Saskia Hargrave
Saskia Hargrave
Saskia Hargrave is a convicted criminal residing in Ilford, UK a town in London, England. In July 2018, she was sentenced to 2 years in jail after making a false rape accusation and going on the run. [1]
Criminal History
Photo of Saskia Hargrave released by the Lancashire Police [1]
In July 2015 Saskia Hargrave contacted Lancashire Police falsely claiming she had been raped by a man she knew in a Blackpool alleyway. Detectives later arrested the man, who denied the accusation. [1]
The victim of the false accusation was an epileptic man who previously survived serious injuries in a fire. After the accusation he was held in police custody for 16 hours, during which he suffered a seizure brought on by the stress. He also had to have intimate evidence taken.
Saskia Hargrave claimed she had been assaulted for 45 minutes before meeting a friend and calling police.
But when officers conducted further CCTV enquiries, they found the alleged suspect had been in a Blackpool bar during the time the rape was supposedly committed. [1]
In November 2015 police officers arrested Saskia Hargrave on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice. She admitted she had fabricated the rape allegation. [1]
She was bailed by police but failed to attend her bail appointment, moving around the country to avoid the police.
Saskia Hargrave was eventually arrested in October 2017 and remanded to appear before court, but was bailed and went on the run again. A warrant was issued for her arrest. [1]
In June 2018, following an appearance as wanted on BBC1’s Crimewatch Roadshow television show, information was passed to police confirming Saskia Hargrave was living in Ilford. [1]
She was quickly arrested and pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice and breach of bail. [1]
During her sentencing hearing, Judge Simon Newell said: “I have to do justice for Mr Williams for the considerable distress and upset caused to him and particularly him as a vulnerable man.
“I have to take into account, of course, the abuse of police resources which are limited, and given the nature of this allegation, many resources at considerable cost to the public were put into play.
“I also have to take into account, particularly in this day and age where society, the police and the courts are using their best endeavours to come to terms with allegations of sexual violence, that when something like this happens it considerably undermines those other genuine and real victims of sexual assault.”
Detective Sergeant Chris Sanderson, of Lancashire Police, said: “Hargrave’s behaviour and subsequent actions were completely unacceptable.
“She wasted valuable police time constructing a web of lies to try and destroy an innocent man’s life.
Rape is a horrendous crime, with far-reaching effects for victims and for the communities in which the incident takes place.
"[1]
"False reports divert police resources from genuine cases and it is for this reason that this woman was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.
“Hargrave’s appalling behaviour could really have a negative impact on other victims of rape or sexual assault who may choose not to report it to police for fear that they will not be believed.
"I can assure anyone reporting such a serious crime that every single report we receive is treated extremely seriously.
“A thorough investigation commences with extensive enquiries made and we also put resources into making sure the victim has access to the right advice, support and information.
“We welcome Hargrave’s imprisonment and hope it serves as a warning to others who contemplate making such false accusations.”