Woman lied about kidnapping, rape

A woman who lied to police about being kidnapped, drugged, assaulted and raped by her ex-partner has been ordered to pay $856.65 reparation to the police.

Tracy Michelle Carston, also known as Tracy Hinks, admitted lying about the false claims when police questioned her about "inconsistencies" she had made in her statements.

She told police last year her ex-partner had committed the crimes against her, when she had actually had consensual sex with him and willingly taken recreational drugs.

Carston made the false statement because she did not want her children to know she lied to them about being with the man. Her children did not approve of her relationship with him.

The charge, which carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison, arose after Carston moved from New Plymouth to Wanganui to start a new life after her relationship with the man ended.

Two of her adult children lived in Wanganui and she was trying to reconnect with them, police said.

In late March 2014, Carston's children were expecting to see her, but were unable to get hold of her for two days, the police summary of facts said.

Carston showed up at her daughter's house, upset, saying her ex-partner had found her, kidnapped, drugged, and raped her, and she had only just then been able to escape.

The daughter called police and Carston made the same statement, saying the man forced her to take drugs. She then underwent a forensic medical examination. On March 30 the ex-partner was arrested and charged with assault with intent to injure and threatening behaviour.

After admitting her lies, Carston said she and the man had argued about the relationship and he did assault her by strangling her. Earlier this year, Carston pleaded guilty in the Hawera District Court to making a false claim, and faced a maximum of three years in prison. She appeared for sentencing before Judge Max Courtney on June 3.