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An investigation has been launched into the conduct of Warwickshire Police after they charged a woman with perverting the course of justice following her accusation that a police officer raped her. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed it will examine how Warwickshire officers handled the case.
The woman, referred to as Ruth to protect her identity, was charged in November 2020—approximately nine months after she initially reported the alleged rape. She then spent three years fighting to clear her name and was ultimately exonerated in 2023. Warwickshire Police have declined to comment on the matter, citing the ongoing investigation by the IOPC.
Ruth initially came forward in early 2020, seven months after her separation from her ex-partner. Her allegation was taken by two female officers, and the accused—who was a constable from West Midlands Police—was arrested and questioned. However, the investigation quickly took a turn: the suspect was informed that no further action would be taken against him, while Ruth herself was investigated instead. The IOPC’s current inquiry is in its preliminary phase and is expected to consider whether any disciplinary action is warranted for officers involved in Ruth’s case.
During the trial in April 2023, the prosecution argued that Ruth’s initial consent, her previous WhatsApp messages, and her subsequent behavior disproved her claim. They presented a transcript of a secret recording, made by her ex-partner during the encounter, which was submitted as evidence that she had consented throughout and even appeared to enjoy the act. However, Ruth’s defense counsel played the actual audio recording, revealing that the laughter heard on it came from actors in a pornographic film playing in the background—not from the conversation itself. Ruth acknowledged initially consenting but can be heard on the tape saying she wanted her partner to stop if it hurt, then later expressing pain and telling him “no” and “get it out.” Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, consent can be withdrawn or conditions laid down, and violating such conditions makes the sexual activity non-consensual. The jury cleared Ruth in just over an hour.
Following the verdict, Judge Andrew Lockhart KC urged Warwickshire Police to refer the case to the IOPC, but this referral never took place. Afterward, Ruth submitted an official complaint alleging that her initial rape report had not been fully and properly investigated, that officers failed to consider all relevant evidence, and that she had been wrongly charged. Though the original report was reviewed, the male officer was still not charged. He has been suspended since 2023 and is due to face a misconduct hearing later in the year for secretly recording Ruth without her consent.
In July 2025, Warwickshire Police concluded that its officers had acted “satisfactorily” but noted some areas for organisational learning. A charity representing Ruth approached the IOPC in October of the previous year, requesting they review the case. The IOPC stated that after assessing Warwickshire Police’s management of the complaint, it decided an independent investigation was warranted. The scope of this inquiry remains to be defined.
Warwickshire Police have reiterated that the IOPC is in charge of investigating the original complaint and that they cannot comment further. The force previously stated that the decision to charge Ruth had been made with input from the Crown Prosecution Service, emphasized how seriously they take all rape reports, and highlighted their increased investment in handling such allegations
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