An Angus man who found himself the subject of a false rape allegation has been imprisoned for having unlawful sex with the 14-year-old girl who made the claim.
Luke Atherton and the teenager had consensual intercourse in a Brechin park, but when the girl later learned that he had also kissed her sister she told police he had raped her.
At Forfar Sheriff Court, 20-year-old Atherton appeared for sentence having earlier admitted having unlawful sex with the girl at the rear of Park View and Viewbank Place, Brechin, on June 13.
The court heard that Atherton, formerly of Angus and now living in Cheltenham, is on remand for a serious offence south of the border.
Defence agent Brian Bell said, “He had met her four or five days before and when this took place they had been drinking, but he certainly knew what he was doing.
“The reason this allegation came to light was that a number of days later he showed no interest in this female and more interest in the slightly older sister.
“She was not enamoured and then reported rape, but very quickly indicated that the initial statement she had given to police was incorrect.
“He does not blame his victim and he accepts he will be jailed,” said Mr Bell.
Sheriff Kevin Veal sent Atherton to a young offenders’ institution for six months and placed him on the sex offenders register for seven years.
“These laws are in place as much to protect the girls from themselves as from others and it is quite clear that she was only 14 at the time,” he said.
“In light of the full circumstances, the only appropriate disposal is one of immediate custody.”