Woman jailed by Aylesbury Crown Court judge after falsely claiming she was kidnapped

Paige Chapman, aged 22, of Overdale, Chesham, was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment at Aylesbury Crown Court yesterday (29/11).

She pleaded guilty to one count of committing an act with intent to pervert the course of justice.

The charge relates to an incident where Chapman falsely reported that she had been kidnapped, which led to the arrest of an innocent man.

On sentencing, Judge Tulk said that Chapman had “only been concerned with herself” during what was a “prolonged deception” in providing police with two statements regarding her false allegation. Chapman “continued until she was rumbled” by the police investigation.

Investigating officer Fred Ruffle, of Force CID based at Aylesbury, said: “This sentence stands as a deterrent to anyone who makes light of making false allegations to the police, and I hope this brings a sense of justice to the innocent man who found himself arrested and placed in police custody as a result of Chapman’s false report.

“This should also show that thorough investigations will always be undertaken by police and reports of this nature are always treated with the utmost respect and will be investigated to the fullest.”