Woman who falsely accused 10 men of rape has jail term increased

Image source, Greater Manchester Police Image caption, Stacey Sharples' false rape allegations undermine real victims of rape, an appeal court judge says

A woman who falsely accused 10 men of raping her has had her prison sentence increased by two-and-a-half years after the Court of Appeal ruled her original term was "unduly lenient".

Stacey Sharples, 31, made false reports causing men to be held in custody at police stations, lose jobs and relationships, and be separated from their children.

She met the men from Greater Manchester on Facebook and dating apps Plenty of Fish and Badoo between 2013 and 2019, when she was aged between 18 and 24.

Sharples, who admitted 10 counts of perverting the course of justice, was originally jailed for four-and-a-half years, but judges increased the term to seven years.