Nicole Richess cheated on her boyfriend but was too ashamed to come clean, so accused the two soldiers – who she’d met on a night out – of rape.
Richess, 20, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice yesterday. It has taken almost two years to bring the case to court as Richess previously pleaded not guilty.
The soldiers, aged 23 and 24, said the claims “left them petrified” and “impacted their friends, family and their work”. They have not been identified.
One added: “I've never been so scared in all my life. That stigma you have attached to you the whole time is horrible, it affects everything, like relationships. I'm glad it's over and hopefully she will get what she deserves.”
Prosecutor Sophie Stevens said yesterday: “Nicole Richess made false allegations that two soldiers had attempted to rape her because she had been confronted by her boyfriend who had been made aware that she had been unfaithful.
“The investigation into her allegations revealed that she went out for the evening with girlfriends in Bournemouth. They went clubbing and she, with one of her friends, met four young men, army soldiers. Richess then took the two soldiers to her home where they had sexual intercourse. What she did not know is that her boyfriend of three years would be aware of what happened through rumours, as a result he confronted her.”
She added: “Scared she started to make up stories and after three days of being pressurised by her boyfriend she went to the police and said the soldiers had attempted to rape her.
“Her selfishness and lies had serious consequences professionally and personally on the two young men, who had to be disciplined according to the Army policy. Their private lives had been exposed only because Richess could not take responsibility for her actions. We hope that with this conviction, they will be able to move on with their lives.”
Richess is due to be sentenced on 26 March.
Jail terms for perverting the course of justice ranges from four months to 36 months.