The coordinator of the Wairarapa Rape and Sexual Abuse support group has described the false rape complaint made by a 25-year-old Masterton woman as "disheartening".
Wairarapa Rape and Sexual Abuse co-ordinator Michelle Ihaka said it was disappointing to hear about the case, however, she said false rape complaints were in the minority.
"It is disheartening but at the end of the day people need to learn from this. It's a very small percentage," she said. '
The unemployed woman's fabricated rape complaint occurred after a night out on April 17 last. Four days later on April 22 she provided a second statement to police where she admitted she had lied because she "knew police would give her a ride home".
The woman, who has name suppression to protect her identity, was convicted last week of providing police with a false statement. She was described by her lawyer, Jock Blathwayt, as having "recurring personality disorders".