Woman lied to police about 'rape ordeal'

Gail Sherwood told officers she was dragged off to woods by a man with a weapon who then raped her as she returned to her car from walking her dogs on April 25 2008.

On June 1 2008 she said she was hit over the head and taken in her car to a remote spot where she was raped.

She was found naked from the waist down on one occasion with gaffer

tape over her mouth and her hands tied behind her.

A police helicopter also found her half-naked behind a fence on another occasion.

The 52-year-old told detectives a stalker was harassing her and then blamed a motorist after they were involved in a minor car crash.

He was arrested on suspicion of harassment but released without charge after being held for 20 hours.

Sherwood, of Thrupp, Stroud, Gloucestershire, was caught after police set up a security camera outside her house. The mother of two initially admitted making up the harassment and stalking claims after her arrest but she denied three charges of perverting the course of justice at Bristol Crown Court.

A jury yesterday found her guilty of all three counts and she is due to be sentenced on March 4, said police.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Shorrock said outside court: "Ms Sherwood has wasted significant police time and resources with these false allegations.

"But what is most upsetting is the way a false claim such as this completely undermines those people whose lives have been devastated by genuine crimes of this nature," he added.