A Chinese student who made up false rape claims against a serving policeman has been jailed and told she faces possible deportation.
Hao Li, 29, was warned by a judge that her conduct risked deterring 'genuine victims from coming forward'.
A court also heard the accusation had a serious impact on the police officer, who was arrested and held in cells for 35 hours before being suspended for five months.
It was only due to the 'foresight' of the officer, who had set his phone to record an earlier conversation between the pair and left it on, recording the sexual encounter, that he was not charged.
Li, a master's degree student, was charged with perverting the course of justice but fled Britain before the case could be heard.
She was subsequently arrested at Manchester Airport after arriving on a return flight and remanded in custody last July.
Durham Crown Court heard the pair engaged in sexual activity in November 2024 - with her the 'driving force'.
The officer, who was not on duty, had then driven her home when she rang police, accusing him of rape, and he was apprehended in his car half an hour later.
Li, 29, formerly of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, denied three counts of perverting the course of justice but was convicted after a two-week trial in December.
WhatsApp messages she sent to the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted the rape allegation was false and asked for help to avoid getting into trouble.
Li, appearing before the court via video link from HMP Low...
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