A woman who made a public accusation of a gang rape incident on social media that garnered significant attention has been taken into custody by authorities. The woman, in her twenties, claimed on Facebook that she was assaulted by four individuals in tracksuits at the Milton Regis Recreation Ground near Sittingbourne around 9 pm last Saturday. The post quickly circulated through various local online groups, including the Gossip Board of Sittingbourne, which boasts 46,000 members, urging individuals with relevant information to step forward.
On Wednesday, the woman was apprehended and brought in for questioning at the local police station. Subsequently, she was released on bail as law enforcement officers continue their investigative efforts. The police clarified that they were not directly informed about the alleged assault but initiated an investigation based on the online allegation, ultimately finding no substantiating evidence of the incident.
Chief Inspector Vanessa Foster, the Swale district commander, stated, “We became aware of social media posts regarding a rape allegation. Despite not receiving a direct report to the police regarding the alleged crime, initial inquiries were conducted based on available information. Currently, no evidence supports the occurrence of the offense. It is crucial for the community to know that we take such allegations seriously, and the individuals behind the social media post have been directly addressed, leading to the arrest of a woman in her twenties on suspicion of misusing police resources. She has been released on bail pending further investigations.”
Foster further emphasized, “I want victims of sexual assault and rape to understand that we treat their reports with utmost seriousness, conduct thorough investigations, and provide them with the necessary support.”
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