This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29946823
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
DPP orders inquiry into alleged rape victim suicide case | DPP orders inquiry into alleged rape victim suicide case |
(about 3 hours later) | |
An investigation has been launched into why a woman was prosecuted over an alleged false rape claim - and then killed herself. | An investigation has been launched into why a woman was prosecuted over an alleged false rape claim - and then killed herself. |
Eleanor de Freitas, 23, had bipolar disorder, and left notes saying she was frightened of going to court. | Eleanor de Freitas, 23, had bipolar disorder, and left notes saying she was frightened of going to court. |
She said she had been raped but faced trial for allegedly perverting the course of justice. | She said she had been raped but faced trial for allegedly perverting the course of justice. |
Director of public prosecutions Alison Saunders said she was asking officials for answers. | |
An inquest into Ms De Freitas' death had been due to open on Friday, but her family want it to be treated as a special type of legal case where a jury can consider whether public bodies could have done more to prevent a fatality. | |
Ms De Freitas suffered a mental breakdown during her first year at Durham University. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had received medical treatment. | |
'Full explanation' | 'Full explanation' |
In early 2013 she made a rape complaint to the Metropolitan Police. | |
The force told her there would not be a prosecution because of some inconsistencies in her evidence. | The force told her there would not be a prosecution because of some inconsistencies in her evidence. |
The man she had accused of rape then launched his own private prosecution, accusing her of perverting the course of justice. | The man she had accused of rape then launched his own private prosecution, accusing her of perverting the course of justice. |
Ms De Freitas' solicitors asked the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to halt the private action but it decided to take it over and continue it. | |
Three days before Ms De Freitas was due to stand trial in April, she took her own life. | |
In a statement, Ms Saunders said she wanted to meet the De Freitas family after she had completed her investigation. | |
"I am very saddened by the tragic death of Eleanor de Freitas," she said. | "I am very saddened by the tragic death of Eleanor de Freitas," she said. |
"I have asked the team which dealt with this case for a full explanation which addresses all of the De Freitas family's concerns. | |
"I appreciate the family's unease which is why I am looking at this personally in order to satisfy myself of the detail surrounding all the stages of the case. | "I appreciate the family's unease which is why I am looking at this personally in order to satisfy myself of the detail surrounding all the stages of the case. |
"Prosecuting cases of perverting the course of justice in connection with an alleged false rape allegation is rare, extremely difficult and always complex and sensitive. | "Prosecuting cases of perverting the course of justice in connection with an alleged false rape allegation is rare, extremely difficult and always complex and sensitive. |
'Serious concerns' | 'Serious concerns' |
"This case was one of the most difficult I have seen. To say any more at this stage would be inappropriate until I can answer the De Freitas family's concerns fully and directly." | |
Under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, public bodies must account for their actions if they were either involved in a death or there is a question over whether they could have done something to prevent it from happening. | |
In practice, this usually means holding an inquest before a jury so that it can decide whether or not the state had any role in what happened. | In practice, this usually means holding an inquest before a jury so that it can decide whether or not the state had any role in what happened. |
Deborah Coles of campaign group Inquest said: "This case raises serious issues of concern regarding the prosecution of rape complainants." | Deborah Coles of campaign group Inquest said: "This case raises serious issues of concern regarding the prosecution of rape complainants." |