A WOMAN who claimed she had been raped in her home is to appear in court accused of wasting police time.
More than 300 hours of police time were spent on the case after the 36-year-old claimed a bogus workman forced his way into her home, in Hartlepool.
After the alleged rape in the Elwick road area of town on November 1, other women were warned to be extra-vigilant.
The woman claimed that the man said he had been sent by her husband to fix the central heating boiler.
She alleged that, once inside, he threatened her and punched her in the face before raping her in a downstairs bathroom.
Two weeks after the claim was made, it was withdrawn.
The woman, who has yet to be named, yesterday answered police bail, and was charged with wasting police time.
She is expected to appear at Hartlepool Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.
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