’Rape victim’ threatened officer

Feb 2 2008 by Wendy Horton, South Wales Echo

THE victim of an alleged rape threatened to kill a woman police officer because she thought her case was not being dealt with properly.

The 40-year-old woman from the Caerphilly area, was so upset the case was not proceeding that she sent a “nasty” letter to the Pc who had investigated it.

She also went into the police station where the police officer worked with a knife and on another occasion became abusive and aggressive with the Pc.

Caerphilly magistrates heard the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, sent the letter to the police office while on remand in prison for charges relating to threatening behaviour.

There she wrote a letter to the officer threatening to kill her but it was intercepted by the prison service.

Penny Palmer, prosecuting, said once the letter had been disclosed to the officer she became fearful for her life.

Rhyddian James, defending, said although there was no criticism of the police, the woman had found it difficult to cope with the fact that the man she claimed raped her was not going to be prosecuted.

“She has got a history of mental health problems and found it difficult to deal with it,” he said.

Magistrates sentenced the woman, who pleaded guilty to making threats to kill, to an 18-month community order after revoking a previous order.

The woman was also ordered to attend 20 drug- aid sessions and told to pay £45 costs.