If you are accused of a false sexual allegation, it can feel like your world is being turned upside down and can be extremely traumatic. It often feels like there is nothing you can do.

False Accusations:

Being falsely accused of a sexual offence can lead to losing your home, suspension from work, or restricted contact with your children. It is vital to get expert legal advice immediately from a solicitor specialising in defending false sexual allegations.

If contacted by police about false sexual allegations, do not discuss the allegations with them. Take the officer’s name and contact number, and seek advice from an expert solicitor. Do not contact the person who has made such accusations.

You have the legal right to consult a solicitor before giving any account to the police. Remember, anything you say to third parties can be used as evidence against you.

At Wilkstone Law, we provide expert legal advice to help you regain control and ensure your side of the story is heard. We can liaise with the police to arrange voluntary attendance, often avoiding arrest at your home or workplace.

If you are falsely accused of a serious offence, proving your innocence can be challenging. The police investigation may overlook your side except during your interview under caution. Wilkstone Law specialises in defending false sexual allegations to support you throughout this process.

Key points:

• Immediate expert legal advice is crucial.
• Do not speak to police or the accuser without a solicitor.
• Preserve your legal rights by consulting a specialist before any police interview.
• Wilkstone Law offers proactive defence and liaises directly with police.
• Voluntary police attendance can be arranged to avoid arrest.
• Expert legal support increases chances of defending false allegations effectively.

Criminal Defence Team

We start building your defence immediately upon arrest, whether for a sexual offence or any serious criminal allegation. Our proactive approach ensures legal advice tailored to your case to maximise the defence against false allegations of rape and sexual assault.

At Wilkstone Law, we do not wait for lengthy police investigations. We liaise directly with the police officer in charge, whether you are on Police Bail or Released under Investigation (RUI), to provide any information that may strengthen your defence.

In previous cases, we have submitted information and written representations to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) during Police Bail, resulting in false allegations being dropped before charges. This ‘Pre-Charge Engagement’ with the police is a powerful legal tactic when you are falsely accused of rape, sexual assault, or other sexual offences. Do not underestimate its impact.

GATHER ALL INFORMATION AND EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE THAT MAY SUPPORT YOUR DEFENCE

You should preserve and gather all the evidence in your case. Do not destroy or delete any messages or potential evidence – destroying any potential evidence could have very severe consequences in your case and for you. Take expert legal advice about any piece of evidence that you have that may support your defence.

You may have information that you feel is not relevant or important to the allegation made against you. Our team of experts in pre-charge engagement can review all the information you can provide and identify what could potentially assist in your defence.

TAKE CONTROL BY TAKING EXPERT LEGAL ADVICE AND STAY INFORMED BY THE FALSE ALLEGATIONS DEFENCE SOLICITOR

It is crucial that you are not afraid to ask questions of your legal team. It is your case and your reputation and liberty potentially at stake. We offer a personal, proactive service at Wilkstone Law if you have been falsely accused of any sexual offence.

If you have questions or concerns if you are falsely accused, we are here to listen and offer expert legal advice from the first call to solicitors who are experts in defending you where you have been falsely accused of any sexual offence.

‘I have been arrested and falsely accused of a sexual offence. The Duty Solicitor represented me during the police interview. I have not had any contact from my Solicitor since I was arrested and released on bail. Can I take advice from a different solicitor that specialises in defending false sexual allegations?’

Yes, you can take advice from a different solicitor. It is crucial to consider whether pre-charge engagement with the police is necessary when false allegations are made. At Wilkstone Law, we provide immediate expert legal advice to defend false allegations while you are on police bail.

We offer fixed fee consultations and second opinions on false sexual allegations. In some cases, proactive engagement with the police is needed to properly defend against false allegations. This may include requesting a further voluntary interview to clarify aspects of your defence not covered in the first interview.

Police station duty solicitors are often very busy and may not contact you after your interview. Our expert false allegations defence solicitors at Wilkstone Law are available immediately to advise on proactive defence steps if you have been falsely accused of a sexual offence.

‘During the first police interview I did not have a solicitor and was not represented. I have been released on bail. What should I do next?’

Wilkstone Law understands that being falsely accused of rape, sexual assault, or any serious sexual offence is a traumatic and challenging time. The impact on your family and employment can be severe. Immediate expert advice from solicitors specialising in defending false allegations is essential to maximise your chances of a successful defence.

We are experts in defending clients falsely accused of serious sexual offences, including historic allegations. Contact us immediately to arrange a fixed fee consultation to review your case and provide expert advice.

Our services include:

• Contacting the investigating police officer to obtain undisclosed information or evidence.
• Advising on the best next steps to protect your legal rights.
• Handling police communications and attending further interviews on your behalf.
• Assessing the strength of the police evidence against you.
• Considering whether pre-charge engagement with the police is appropriate.

Being proactive during the police investigation can be crucial in having the case dropped before charges are filed, potentially preventing a serious criminal conviction.

‘What can be done about my bail conditions once I am released from the Police Station?’

Your legal representatives can make representations about the necessity of your bail conditions at any time. At Wilkstone Law, we can draft formal representations on how your bail conditions are affecting your day-to-day life or stopping you from gaining employment and submit this to the Officer in Charge (OIC) and the Sergeant in charge of your bail. If those representations are ignored, we can attend your bail appointment to make those representations in person.

‘What if Police have seized my phone but I have material on there which could further my defence?’

In many police investigations involving false sexual allegations, crucial evidence is often found on mobile phones or electronic devices, such as text messages, WhatsApp, and Snapchat conversations. It is vital that these messages and electronic data are brought to the police’s attention as part of the investigation. This evidence can help defend false sexual allegations and may lead the police and Crown Prosecution Service to reconsider continuing the investigation.

Wilkstone Law offers expert legal advice on how to use electronic evidence during pre-charge engagement with the police or in written representations against charges.

Key points to remember:

• Evidence on mobile phones can be critical to your defence.
• Police must investigate any reasonable line of enquiry supporting your defence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.
• A specialised solicitor can make formal representations to ensure this evidence is properly examined.
• If the police ignore these representations, it can be raised in court as part of your defence.

Be aware that not all evidence you mention in an interview will necessarily be investigated thoroughly by the police. If you have messages that undermine false allegations, seek advice from a solicitor specialising in defending false criminal allegations to protect your rights.

‘What if I forget to mention something important in my interview under caution?’

Being interviewed under caution is traumatic enough, let alone if it is your first time in custody. You may forget to tell the police important details, especially if they did not ask the right questions.

Wilkstone Law are here to help further your defence from the moment we are instructed to defend any false allegation of Rape or sexual assault that has been made against you. We can draft and put forward a formal statement based upon your instructions and your version of events post-interview to submit to the Police. We can also ask for you to be re-interviewed at your request if there are facts or information that you forgot to mention or omitted during your first interview with the police.

‘I was arrested and have been falsely accused of Rape. I was released on bail by the police. How long can the police keep me on bail?’

Upon release from the Police Station, you receive a 3-month bail period while the Police investigate the rape allegation. After this, the Police may:

• Charge you,
• Apply to extend your pre-charge bail via an Inspector or Superintendent,
• Release you with no further action (NFA), or
• Release you under investigation (RUI).

Most sexual assault allegations are sent to the CPS for charging decisions after Police investigations conclude. Pre-charge bail conditions can last up to one year if extended by a Magistrates’ Court. After that, your case must be submitted to the CPS or you will be released from bail.

Being released under investigation means police are not bound by bail time limits, often prolonging investigations beyond 12 months.

Wilkstone Law can help:

• Apply to the Magistrates Court to prevent bail extensions, leading to release under investigation without bail conditions,
• Contact police to check investigation updates and expected charging timelines when you are released under investigation.

 

Allegations of rape or sexual assault are among the most serious offences in criminal law. These cases are often complex, sensitive, and highly fact specific, requiring careful and experienced legal representation from the outset.

If you have been falsely accused of Rape or sexual assault, are under investigation for a sexual offence or have been charged with a sexual offence, it is essential to obtain legal advice from expert criminal defence solicitors who specialise in defending false sexual allegations.

From the first moment that a sexual allegation is made you should seek expert legal advice on the best next steps to take in your defence.

Experienced Solicitors in defending False Allegations of Serious Sexual Offences

From an interview under caution at a police station to defending your case in the Crown Court, Wilkstone Law are experts in defending individuals facing false allegations of serious sexual offences and Rape. We provide discreet, strategic, and robust advice at every stage of the criminal process.

Our work includes advising and representing clients falsely accused of:

• Rape
• Sexual assault
• Assault by penetration
• Historic sexual allegations

Wilkstone Law fully understand and appreciate the significant personal and professional impact false sexual allegations can have upon you, your family and your career. Our expert sexual defence solicitors are committed to providing clear, pragmatic guidance and robust legal advice and representation throughout every stage of a criminal investigation or prosecution.

Dedicated Client Care

Wilkstone Law recognise that being falsely accused of Rape or Sexual Assault can be extremely stressful. Our approach combines:

• Confidential and professional handling of your case from the moment that we are involved.
• Direct access to experienced solicitors who are experts in defending false sexual allegations
• Thorough preparation and attention to detail when defending your case

We prioritise client care alongside achieving the best possible outcome in every case where our clients are falsely accused of sexual allegations.

Legal Definitions of Relevant Offences

Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, certain sexual offences are defined as follows:

Rape
• Non consensual penetration of the vagina, anus, or mouth with a penis
• The prosecution must prove there was no consent and no reasonable belief in consent having been given.

Sexual Assault
• Non consensual sexual touching
• Includes a wide range of unwanted sexual conduct
• Applies regardless of gender

Assault by Penetration
• Non consensual penetration with an object or body part (other than a penis)
• Requires proof of lack of consent

Sentencing Considerations

The potential consequences of conviction for a sexual offence can be severe:
• Rape and assault by penetration: up to life imprisonment
• Sexual assault: up to 10 years’ imprisonment

Additional consequences may include:

• Notification requirements (Sex Offender Register)
• Sexual Harm Prevention Orders (SHPOs)
• Restrictions affecting employment, travel, and personal life
• An adverse entry upon your DBS record for a sexual offence.

In some circumstances, civil or preventative orders may also be considered even where there is no conviction and prior to criminal proceedings being commenced in either the Magistrates Court or the Crown Court.

Defending False Allegations of Sexual Offences

Every case turns on its own facts. That said, if you have been falsely accused of Rape or sexual assault, building a strong defence from the moment a false sexual allegation is made requires careful analysis of the police and prosecution evidence and a clear defence strategy from an early stage.

Wilkstone Law will consider whether pre charge engagement with the police is necessary whilst you are on police bail for false sexual allegations. Pre-Charge engagement can be the difference between facing court proceedings for a sexual offence or being released no further action.

Depending on the circumstances, issues in a sexual offences case may include:

• Whether the sexual activity was consensual
• The reliability and consistency of witness accounts used by the police to support their case against you.
• Whether any sexual offence took place and whether the police have adduced evidence to support a prosecution for a sexual offence.
• The strength and admissibility of evidence used to support an allegation of Rape of sexual assault.
• Procedural fairness and police conduct when investigating a sexual offence
• Careful analysis of digital evidence including What’s App messages, Snap Chat and text messages on your mobile telephone and/or the complainant’s mobile telephone.
• Adopting a proactive approach to disclosing additional material or evidence that may have become relevant after you have been interviewed by the police and whilst you are on police bail for a sexual offence.

The expert sexual offence defence Solicitors at Wilkstone Law will adopt a detailed and methodical approach to ensure that your defence is fully advanced to either the police or the Court to defend you against false sexual allegations.

Early Legal Advice is Crucial

Investigations for sexual offences can often involve consideration of complex evidence, including digital material, downloads of mobile telephone messages, forensic evidence and witness statements. Decisions made at an early stage in a police investigation can have a lasting impact on the outcome of a case.

Seeking legal advice immediately from the expert sexual offence defence Solicitors at Wilkstone Law when falsely accused of sexual assault or rape ensures that:

• Your rights are protected
• You receive guidance before any interview or court hearing
• Your case is approached in a structured and informed way

You should seek legal advice from the first moment that false sexual allegations are made against you. Likewise, if you have been released on police bail for any false sexual allegation, take advice from an expert solicitor.

If you used a duty solicitor at the police station for the police interview, seeking a second opinion from an expert sexual offences defence solicitor at Wilkstone Law whilst you are on police bail for a sexual offence is highly recommended to defend your position and build your defence to false allegations.

Confidential Legal Advice when falsely accused of a sexual offence

If you are facing false allegations of a sexual offence, obtaining specialist advice from a specialist sexual offence solicitor, without delay is essential to properly defend yourself.

The first call to Wilkstone Law is free, all enquiries are handled in the strictest confidence and subject to legal privilege. Our expert sexual offence defence solicitors will asses your case and the false sexual allegations that have been made against you or a family member and advise you on the next legal steps in your defence.