Full Breakdown
Court Increases Sentence for Bolton Woman Over False Rape Claims
9/9/2026, 11:37:54 PM
False Rape Allegations and Sentencing Overhaul
Stacey Sharples, 31, of Farnworth, was convicted of ten counts of perverting the course of justice for fabricating rape accusations against men she met online between 2013 and 2020. She was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison at Bolton Crown Court on March 11, 2026. The Attorney General, Ellie Reeves KC MP, referred the case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, and judges raised the term to seven years on September 9, 2026.
Background of the Allegations
Sharples used Facebook, Plenty of Fish and Badoo to contact the men, many of whom were arrested, detained, and later released after investigations proved the claims false. Victims reported loss of employment, relationships, and lasting mental-health damage. The judge at the original hearing described Sharples as a “sexual predator” who pursued “out-of-proportion” expressions of love before lodging false reports.
Official Statements & Responses
Ellie Reeves KC MP said Sharples’ repeated lies caused significant harm to ten victims and diverted police resources that should have supported genuine victims. She emphasized that such cases must not deter real survivors from coming forward. A Court of Appeal panel—Lord Justice Popplewell, Mr Justice Linden and Mrs Justice Hill— warned that false rape allegations undermine public confidence in the justice system and can affect juror perceptions.
Data & Statistics
- Convictions: 10 counts of perverting the course of justice.
- Original sentence: four-and-a-half years; increased to seven years.
- Police resources: the Bolton News reported the investigations consumed more than 550 hours of police time, while the Mirror estimated 264 hours and a cost of roughly £50,000.
- Impact on victims: arrests, custody, job loss, relationship breakdowns, and mental-health harm.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The allegations were of extremely serious conduct all involving rape, and in some cases multiple rapes with serious violence and threats.” — Lord Justice Popplewell
- “She told one victim: "They're not pressing charges, I've got away with it yet again.” — Julia Faure Walker, representing the Attorney General
