Falsely accused caterer begins battle to get back his life and cash
A WOMAN who falsely accused a Derbyshire man of rape after taking £71,500 of his cash has been ordered to pay back the entire amount.
David Wilson, 45, spent seven months in custody on remand when he was charged with several crimes, including rape, after allegations were made against him.
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JAIL ORDEAL: David Wilson
But four days before he was due to appear in court, he was told by police that new information had come to light and he was free to go.
Mr Wilson said that before the allegations were made, he had paid the woman £71,500.
However, just four days after the money was transferred, Mr Wilson was arrested on suspicion of committing a series of offences against the woman.
A court has now said the £71,500 should be paid back to Mr Wilson.
He said: "I just want this money back and I want everyone to know that I am completely innocent.
"Spending all that time in prison wasn't an easy thing. I have had a lot of trouble over this and have been labelled all sorts of terrible things. I have lost thousands and thousands of pounds, as well.
"Even now, after all this time, I walk down the street and people look at me differently."
Mr Wilson's nightmare began in February 2007, when he was arrested and charged with dangerous driving, assault, intimidating witnesses, sexual assault and rape.
He was taken to Leicester Prison, where he was kept for eight weeks on remand before being transferred to Nottingham Prison.
Mr Wilson, who lived in Oakerthorpe, near Alfreton, before his arrest, said that, during his time in prison, he was placed alongside rapists and paedophiles and had people spitting in his food.
While he was in prison, his two children went to stay with their grandmother. He managed to speak to them and see them occasionally but said it was hard being parted from them.
In August 2007, Mr Wilson was released on bail, on condition that he kept out of Derbyshire.
He went to stay with an aunt in Birmingham but was arrested again in the October after the person who made the original accusations against him claimed he broke the conditions.
He was sent to Birmingham's Winson Green Prison and was due to appear at Derby Crown Court on November 26 until the charges were dropped. The ordeal left him homeless, jobless and separated from his two children. Before his arrest, he ran a successful business, selling hot food from a van at football matches.
He launched a civil case to recover the money which had been taken from him and Dudley County Court ordered the woman pay it back in full. He is also seeking compensation for his ordeal and losses.
Mr Wilson said: "I am completely innocent and knew all along I was but it seemed to me that nobody really wanted to listen."
6 Comments
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by Voltaire, man who knows everything
Monday, March 08 2010, 3:15PM
“Once again the legal system descriminates against males. This woman [in the loosest sense of the word] should be put before the courts with the prospect of recieving this poor chaps sentence if found guilty.”
by Angela, Derby
Monday, March 08 2010, 2:31PM
“It is time to change the laws that allow the man accused to be named. ALL men accused of rape should be afforded the same anonimity that the victim is given. If or when they are found guilty is the time to name them, until then, innocent until proved guilty.
I really feel sorry for this chap and others who are falsely accused of rape by vindictive women.
The woman should be in court for her actions, named and shamed. By her vicious actions she has made it difficult for real victims of rape.”
by Erez, Derby
Monday, March 08 2010, 1:34PM
“Ahhh, British wimmin.
Seems to be way too much of a risk wasting time with one thesedays.. If it only takes mere words to get you locked up.
Worst thing about it, is this article will put ideas into some minds, the main one being, that there is no real consequence for messing an innocent man's life up.”
by Kieron, Castle Donington
Monday, March 08 2010, 12:25PM
“No name of the woman at all. Bloody typical - man gets accused his name gets splattered all over the place yet the woman who admitted false accusations gets away with it. I feel for the bloke and will buy him a beer in respect. As for the woman, you know who you are, hang your head in shame and come out and admit yourself as the real scum. There are enough rapes going on without being reported etc and you have just let them all down. Shame on you.”
by Pat, h
Monday, March 08 2010, 10:22AM
“This scumbag woman should not only have to pay the money back but should be sent to prison to get a taste of what she put this poor man through. Things like her harm the cases of genuine rape victims as it will be assumed that they are lying as well.”