Darwen false claim knife attack woman found safe (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Darwen false claim knife attack woman found safe

3:13pm Tuesday 7th February 2012 in News

A HUGE search was launched for a woman recently convicted of making up three knife attacks.

Tracy Frankcom, 42, of Astley Bank, was reported missing from home at 1.30am on Saturday in freezing conditions.

Mrs Frankcom avoided a prison sentence last month for perverting the course of justice after admitting inventing as series of knifepoint muggings in which she cut herself and claimed an Asian robber was responsible.

Police were concerned for her welfare and scrambled the regional helicopter to scan a large area of Darwen Moor and nearby reservoirs.

A total of 24 members of Bolton Mountain Rescue Team searched areas around Astley Bank Hotel and the Height Side area of Darwen in temperatures of minus five degrees.

Two Mountain Rescue trail and air scent search dogs from the Bowland Pennine team were also used in the search, which finished at 7am without finding Mrs Frankcom.

However, police confirmed just after midday that she had been found ‘safe and well’.

Darwen music teacher Mrs Frankcom, who has also run a shop in Deardengate, Haslingden, for 11 years, must pay £5,000 to the police in compensation, £1,500 costs to the CPS and £500 compensation to a man arrested in connection with her allegations.