Eleanor Williams, 21, on trial for perverting course of justice over assault allegation in May 2020

A young woman accused of lying about being raped and trafficked by a grooming gang probably “self-inflicted” injuries using a hammer she bought from Tesco, a court heard.

Eleanor Williams, 21, was found in a field in Barrow-in-Furness on 19 May 2020 covered in bruises, with a black eye and with a fingertip almost severed.

She posted photographs of her injuries on Facebook, alongside lengthy claims of being sexually exploited and taken to “parties” across the north of England to have sex with Asian men, Preston crown court heard.

But police believe she made up the claims and she is now on trial accused of perverting the course of justice.

On Thursday, the Home Office pathologist Alison Armourgave evidence after examining photographs of Williams’ May 2020 injuries.

She found “bruises too numerous to mention” over Williams’ stomach, legs and left arm, but none on the back of her head or back.

There was no evidence of bone fractures or internal injuries, nor signs of bleeding, which would be unusual in a violent attack, said Armour. “If this was a violent assault by a third party I would expect lacerated wounds,” she told the jury.

The pathologist also noted that Williams’ injuries were in places that she herself could have reached. In contrast, “inaccessible” parts of her body were unscathed.

“The lack of injuries to the back of the head or back in a violent attack by a third...

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