Stacey Sharples

Stacey Sharples, 31, of Farnworth, pleaded guilty to 10 counts of perverting the course of justice. Following an Attorney General reference regarding the original sentence imposed at Bolton Crown Court, the Court of Appeal increased her sentence to seven years imprisonment.

Sharples admitted to making false rape allegations against 10 men she met via social media and dating applications between 2013 and 2019. These false reports led to the men being arrested, held in police custody, and subjected to months-long investigations. The court noted that these actions caused the victims to lose their jobs and suffer from the breakdown of personal relationships and separation from their children.

Lord Justice Popplewell, sitting with Mr Justice Linden and Mrs Justice Hill, stated that the allegations were of extremely serious conduct. The court heard that approximately 264 hours of police time and £50,000 were wasted during the investigations. Sharples' counsel stated she accepts responsibility for her actions. The sentence reflects the scale of the offending and the serious distress caused to the victims.