A MAN cried rape and sparked a six month police hunt because he regretted having sex with a homosexual couple he met after a night out at the pub.

Craig Ramell, 21, claimed he had been attacked in the early hours in Clayton-le-Moors and maintained the allegation when questioned twice by officers.

The area of the alleged crime, near the Lamb Inn, was secured, scenes of crimes officers were called in, and almost 50 police man-hours were wasted.

And one of the two men could have ended up in the dock after forensic tests showed he and the defendant had had intercourse, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Ramell, who works for Trutex Ltd, and said to have been confused and vulnerable at the time, was given 200 hours community punishment after admitting attempting to pervert the course of justice last June.

Sentencing, Recorder Alan Booth told Ramell, of Horsfall Close, Accrington: "It may well be you did things you regret but that's no excuse for maintaining a very serious allegation which could have caused other people to be arrested and possibly be brought before the courts."

Sara Dodd, prosecuting, said Ramell alleged he had been dragged from the main road, forced to the ground, subjected to a sex act and then raped more than once.

He did not know if one or more people were involved.

The defendant got home, tried to run a bath at 3am and broke down in front of his mother.

She alerted police. Officers found the defendant very upset but he was able to take them to the area where he claimed the rape happened.

Miss Dodd continued: "Officers initially dealing with it thought there was something strange about his account.

"He was even at that stage challenged about it. He maintained his account."

Miss Dodd said Ramell was medically examined.

Police spoke to two friends who had been with him and they said he had gone back to a pub because of a girl.

The young woman told police she had taken the defendant home.

A gay couple, had also been there. They were spoken to by police and it emerged the three men had had consensual homosexual intercourse.

One had had sex with Ramell and the defendant then had sex with the other.

The girl had watched part of it. The defendant was arrested on July 2.

Miss Dodd said police went to great lengths to secure the scene of the alleged rape, scenes of crimes officers took photos, medical and forensic tests were carried out and an identity parade was held.

John Woodward, defending, said only Ramell truly knew the reason why he chose not to come clean with the police at the very outset.

He had brought shame on himself and his parents.

Speaking after the case a police spokesman said: "Massive resources were spent investigating his claims.

"It meant that officers were diverted away from other areas where they could have been better deployed.

"His allegations also caused a lot of worry in Clayton-le-Moors.

"I would like to assure residents that the sexual assault offence did not happen."