No Further Action Taken Date Rape Allegation Romford Police Station 2024

The client, a married father, was accused of rape at his workplace. The client worked as a store manager in retail and frequently travelled between stores to conduct stocktake. Whilst visiting one store, the client met the complainant. Whilst working, the client became friendly with the employee, talking at length and exchanging numbers. The following day the client arranged to meet with the complainant near her house, they drank alcohol together and the complainant spoke about how she is in a toxic relationship where her current partner tracks and assaults her. The client and complainant engaged in intimate activity excluding sexual intercourse whilst in a car park before the complainant’s boyfriend arrived and started threatening the client. The client drove off, dropping the complainant nearby.

The client then received messages from the complainant informing him that her partner was coercing her to make rape allegations against the client. She further explained the threats made to her and her family if she did not do this. Subsequently allegations of rape were made, but the client asserts that no sexual intercourse took place.

The offence of rape is very serious and is committed when a person intentionally penetrates the vagina, anus or mouth of another person with his penis, this person does not consent to the penetration, and the defendant does not reasonably believe that the person consents. This offence is committed contrary to s.1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and is indictable, carrying a maximum custodial sentence of life imprisonment.

The client was subsequently arrested, and his phone and car were seized. The client was initially represented by another firm, who advised him to provide a no comment interview. The client then came to us on a private basis as he was unhappy with the initial advice he had received. We contacted the OIC in the matter to request that a further interview be conducted. Due to the severity of the allegations, we requested the further interview and advised the client to put forward his account as he denied the allegations in entirety. Following the interview, the client was released on bail, and shortly after the Police informed us that no further action was being taken.