Falsely accused of historic rape

[Sergei]

Hi

On Saturday I was visited by 2 CID officers who said there was no easy way to do this but I was the subject of an allegation of rape over 15 years ago. They said they had a duty to follow up the allegation and therefore were arresting me. I went with them to the station in a complete state of shock and disbelief, wondering what was going on.

I had to go through all the photographs, DNA and fingerprinting before I spoke to the duty solicitor who had been given a partial disclosure. My accuser is a girl I knew and occasionally socialised with in the 1990s. We had a one-night-stand which was completely consensual and to be honest the whole thing just faded into hazy memory.

In interview I gave as clear an account as possible of what happened. The police did not do a "challenge interview" and thanked me for my co-operation, even shaking my hand afterwards. I was released on bail after just over 2 hours. My solicitor told me that with his knowledge of the interviewing officers that he got the distinct impression that they didn't expect the allegation to get much further. I was even advised by police and solicitor not to mention it to my wife. My solicitor seems confident all will be OK. Needless to say I'm still in a complete state of shock and fear.

I go on holiday for 2 weeks on Friday and the police were quite happy for me to leave the country and took my mobile number in case they had any news for me. Even though the solicitor says not to worry I am still terrified as I know I am completely innocent. I don't know why this person has made this allegation after so long. I can't think straight, can't sleep and am hardly eating. Even though I know I haven't done anything wrong all I can picture is being locked up and missing my wife, children and cats. I visualise life on the streets and losing everything. I don't know where to turn. I won't know anything until I answer bail in 3 weeks unless I hear something before then.

I know I haven't done anything wrong but I can't stop my mind having these thoughts.

Thank you for reading. Why is this happening to me?

[Rights Fighter]

It's not just happening to you. It's happening to hundreds of people up and down the country every week.

How long have you been married? Did the one night stand occur while you were with your wife? I ask as I wonder why you haven't told her about this.

[Sergei]

Hi RF.

It happened long, long, long before I met my wife. I have been married for 3 years. I was single at the time of the one-night-stand.

[Rights Fighter]

You might want to think about telling her. If the DC rings you while you are away and she overhears the conversation or picks your phone up she might wonder why you've not already told her about the allegation. We've all got pasts and you having one shouldn't matter to her. But hiding the false allegation might really upset her. Is she the type to believe 'no smoke without fire?'

[lonley place]

Hi Sergei,
Sorry to hear you have found yourself in this sad situation.
I am the wife of a FA'd man and I just want to ask you to give serious thought to telling your wife.
I agree with RF, imagine how your wife will feel if she finds out by accident. surely it would be better if she heard the news from you ?
LP

[can it get worse]

It's not just happening to you. It's happening to hundreds of people up and down the country every week.

sorry to hear your terrible story & the predicament have found yourself in. As RF says - many people are suffering the impact of a FA.

[Sergei]

The reason I haven't told my wife is because she works in a high pressure job and is currently out of the country. I won't see her until our holiday. It's not something I can drop into a telephone conversation or a Skype chat. Nobody knows what's happening to me. I'm faking normality every day yet inside I'm falling apart.

I spend all day wondering why this woman has made these allegations after so many years. there is no reason I can think of. It's driving me insane.

[Casehardened]

I spend all day wondering why this woman has made these allegations after so many years. there is no reason I can think of. It's driving me insane.

Yes indeed, why? However obviously she has not forgotten about you as she had your contact details readily available to give to the police!

Perhaps she wanted more than the 'one night' and has secretly resented your recent marriage; unfortunately 'revenge' rape allegations do occur from time to time. If you look through some of the other members threads you may notice some similarities with your case.

[Sergei]

Hi. I've returned from holiday and am to answer bail this afternoon. Not heard anything while I was away but I took the advice I was given in this thread and told my wife what is going on. I should have known that she would be supportive and is continuing to be so. I don't know what I was thinking by not telling her!

I have also told my closest friend who is also being a rock. I just hope that this nightmare ends soon.

Sergei

[frightened spouse]

Just wanted to say good luck for this afternoon hope it's all over for you, but best to prepare yourself for a re bail just in case

Is very good to hear you have the support of your wife and friend it does make things easier when you are surrounded by people who believe in you.


Best wishes

FS

[Sergei]

Thank you. I'll let you know what happens later.

[whatsgoingon?]

Good luck for this afternoon.
Well done for telling your wife and best friend. Apart from honesty definitely being the best policy, you need support to help you through this. As you've probably seen for yourself, this site is probably 50% made up of people prepared to go through the harrowing experience with their loved one.

[Sergei]

One of the lucky ones

I don't know what to say. Just went to answer bail and got my NFA. I can't decide if I'm dreaming or not.

My nightmare was only 23 days long but the support of this forum was invaluable and I'll be forever grateful.

I'll pop in when I can to offer support to all of you still going through hell.

Peace

Sergei x

[frightened spouse]

Hurrah really pleased for you Sergei. Feels like there hasn't been a member getting an NFA for ages !

[RFLH]

that is brilliant news - so pleased that you got a quick result