Detectives are no longer investigating an allegation of rape in Brighton after the alleged victim admitted no incident took place.
The 14-year-old girl is now being offered counselling after dropping the allegations following an extensive investigation by Sussex Police.
Detective Chief Inspector Carwyn Hughes said: “On Wednesday 29 October we received a report of a 14-year old girl being raped by a man in Sheep Walk, which runs between Rottingdean and Ovingdean.
“We take all such reports very seriously and were quick to respond. However, an extensive and thorough investigation by local officers and by the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team has now made it very clear, as the girl herself has now admitted, that no such incident took place.”
There have been no other reported incidents in the area before or since 29 October.
No police action is being taken against the girl who made the report and DCI Hughes said; “The girl has been given access to sources of welfare and counselling support.
“We appreciate the public’s support in this investigation and I want to emphasise that we will always investigate fully all such reports. We continue to encourage victims of sexual and other violent offences to contact us and arrange to talk in confidence to experienced detectives.”
