'Wrongly accused need change in law'
A MAN from Northamptonshire who was falsely accused of rape has said a law which prevents his accuser's name being revealed has "failed" men like him.
Warren Blackwell, of Woodford Halse, was wrongly found guilty of indecently assaulting a woman who turned out to be a serial rape hoaxer.
He served more than three years in jail. Since his release last year, he has campaigned against a law which keeps the woman's identity secret despite the fact she was not attacked.
Mr Blackwell presented his own report on Saturday's Today programme on Radio 4 during which he said the law's 1976 Sexual Offences Amendment Act was unfair to the accused in sex cases and would make it easier for a woman to make more false accusations.
During the piece, he said: "In one sense the 1976 legislation worked. Women have been reporting rape in ever increasing numbers since it was introduced. But for men like me, who have been the victim of a false allegation, the law has failed.
"Not all false accusations end up in wrongful conviction like mine but the law makes no allowances to name and shame false accusers."
During the programme, he interviewed a member of the pressure group, Women Against Rape, which campaigns in favour of anonymity.
Ruth Hall said that if the law was changed then it might have the effect of women not reporting rape because they did not know if they could prove it.
However Mr Blackwell added: "If justice is going to be even-handed and apply to everyone equally then the law has to change.
"It is now time for common sense. A change in the law might save another innocent man like me from going to jail for a crime that never even happened."
The case has prompted high-level discussions over whether women who make false rape claims should have their identities protected.
Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, said a review was being carried out "in the light of the Court of Appeal judgment in the Blackwell case" and a decision would be reached "soon".
nick.spoors@northantsnews.co.uk
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