Friday, November 7, 2014

Eleanor de Freitas: DPP to investigate case of alleged rape victim who killed herself after being charged with making false accusation

Alison Saunders, the Director of Public Prosecutions, has said she will personally investigate a case after a woman who was charged with making a false rape accusation killed herself three days before she was due to stand trial. Eleanor de Freitas, a student who suffered from bipolar, killed herself shortly before her trial was scheduled to begin at Southwark Crown Court.
Ms de Freitas left notes for her family explaining her fear of giving evidence in court as a motive for taking her life, The Guardian reports.
The 23-year-old said she was allegedly drugged and raped by a male associate late in 2012. She did not report the rape for some time after the event and she was told by police they could not proceed further because there was not a realistic chance of conviction. 
However, the CPS decided to prosecute Ms De Freitas for allegedly fabricating the rape claims, after the man she accused of attacking her had reportedly  spent £200,000 on pursing bringing a private prosecution against her. The CPS took over the private prosecution.


See article in:Eleanor de Freitas

INC News, 07/11/2014

No comments:

VK