Leeds 'compulsive liar' jailed for fake rape claims

Liam Smith was jailed for eight years

A man who made false rape claims against six men has been jailed for eight years.

Liam Smith's lies resulted in his victims being interviewed by police and subjected to "degrading" forensic tests, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

His victims said the "compulsive liar" had ruined their lives, caused trust issues and made several feel suicidal.

Smith, 27 and from Leeds, had denied seven counts of perverting the course of justice but was found guilty.

'Made to feel a criminal'

Northumbria Police said investigating Smith's false claims, which were made between 2018 and 2020, had cost more than £10,000.

Prosecutor Anne Richardson said all the men were either accused of rape or a serious sexual assault and there were "serious consequences for all of them".

She said the "stigma" of such allegations on the men, none of whom can be identified, was "very grave".

One of the men told the court the accusations had "ruined" his life and he feared anybody finding out he had been arrested as there was the feeling there was "no smoke without fire".

He said: "I was made to feel like a criminal even though I had done nothing wrong."

The man said he had been left with depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

'Agony'

In a statement read to the court, another victim said Smith, who was also known as James Smith or James Robertson, was a "compulsive liar".

The man said he was in "total shock" when he was arrested, adding he felt "disgusted and really hurt" by the false claim.

"This false allegation has turned my world upside down," the man said, adding he felt "betrayed" and "damaged".

Another man said he was "devastated", with a fourth saying the experience at the police station had been "very degrading and embarrassing" and he was still "not over it".

The victims also spoke of the financial cost and inconvenience of having their phones seized by police for several months.

In mitigation, Sam Faulks said Smith, of Armley Ridge Road, had autism spectrum disorder although that did not excuse or explain his actions.

Judge Penny Moreland said all the victims had spoken of their "agony" of having such serious accusations hanging over them as well as "reputational damage" even after the allegations were shown to be false.

She also said his lies could have a serious impact on genuine victims of rape who may now fear they would not be believed.