A Chesham woman who lied about being kidnapped - which saw an innocent man arrested - has been jailed.

22-year-old Paige Chapman, of Overdale in Chesham, was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment at Aylesbury Crown Court yesterday (November 28).

She pleaded guilty to one count of committing an act with intent to pervert the course of justice.

Chapman had falsely reported that she’d been kidnapped and provided two statements regarding her false allegation, leading to the arrest of an innocent man.

On sentencing, Judge Tulk said that Chapman had “only been concerned with herself” during what was a “prolonged deception”, and “continued until she was rumbled” by the police investigation.

Investigating officer Fred Ruffle, of Force CID based at Aylesbury, said: “This sentence stands as a deterrent to anyone who makes light of making false allegations to the police, and I hope this brings a sense of justice to the innocent man who found himself arrested and placed in police custody as a result of Chapman’s false report.

“This should also show that thorough investigations will always be undertaken by police and reports of this nature are always treated with the utmost respect and will be investigated to the fullest.”