Darwen former police officer claims ‘rape was made up after spurned advances’ (From Lancashire Telegraph)
When news happens, text LT and your photos and videos to 80360. Or contact us by email or phone.
Darwen former police officer claims ‘rape was made up after spurned advances’
1:39pm Thursday 10th January 2013 in News
ACCUSED Paul Sandham
AN ex-police officer accused of rape took the stand to claim the allegation against him was a consequence of him spurning his alleged victim’s advances.
Paul Sandham told a jury at Preston Crown Court that the single charge of rape he stands accused of was malicious and made up.
The 42-year-old catholic church-goer told the court, while giving evidence, that he had been shocked to hear his alleged victim had been telling people he had raped her.
Sandham, of Harwood Street, Darwen said: “On one occasion, she (the victim) wanted to start a relationship with me, but I was unable to do so.
“After I told her I didn’t want this, she became very angry and started shouting, ‘I will make you suffer’.
“I then heard about the allegation she was making, saying I had raped her.
“I decided to go and see a solicitor for advice.
“The solicitor suggested issuing a letter stating if she didn’t stop spreading the allegations, I would have to seek a non-molestation order through the courts.”
Sandham told the court that after he had been arrested on suspicion of rape, he was taken to Greenbank Police Station, in Blackburn, where he had worked during his two-year police career.
He told the jury that during his detention, he had had to suffer the indignity of seeing many of his former colleagues.
He told the court he answered ‘no comment’ to all questions put to him throughout his inter-view because he was following the legal advice of his solicitor.
Asked directly by the pros-ecutor why he would not admit committing the rape, Sandham said: “I am not able to admit something that never happened.
“I didn’t misread any signals, no incident of this nature took place.
“I am not the sort of person who would commit rape.”
Sandham also denied admitting to an ex-girlfriend that he had forced himself upon the victim, who is in her 30s.
(Proceeding)
