She posted photos of her injuries online, claiming she'd been beaten and trafficked. A jury found she had inflicted the wounds on herself with a hammer.
The Allegations
Eleanor Williams, of Barrow-in-Furness, England, publicly accused several men of rape and trafficking over a three-year period, including claims that Barrow businessman Mohammed Ramzan had employed her from age 12 and forced her into sex work in Amsterdam and later trafficked her to multiple men in Blackpool. Police investigating that specific claim found she had actually traveled to Blackpool alone, bought a single Pot Noodle, and spent her time in her hotel room watching YouTube.
Real Consequences for Real People
Williams also accused Jordan Trengove of rape following a night out in March 2019; he spent 73 days in jail as a result, sharing a cell with a convicted sex offender, before the case against him collapsed. The word "rapist" was spray-painted on his home. Oliver Gardner, accused after a brief encounter with Williams in Preston, was placed under the Mental Health Act following the allegations against him.
Public Unrest
Williams' claims, amplified through social media posts, triggered significant unrest in Barrow, including organized protests, a vehicle caravan demonstration, and a visit from English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson. Police received threats on social media throughout the period, and officers described the resulting tension as unprecedented in the town's recent history.
The Investigation and Trial
Investigators eventually determined that Williams had caused her own injuries, including with a hammer, to support her fabricated claims. She was convicted in January of eight counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice, having earlier admitted to one further count.
Sentencing
Judge Robert Altham sentenced Williams to eight and a half years, describing her claims as entirely fabricated and noting the extreme lengths she had gone to, including self-harm, to support them. The court heard that three men falsely accused by Williams had attempted to take their own lives during the ordeal. Williams, who has a documented history of self-harm, said in a letter read at sentencing that she was sorry for the "trouble caused" but did not accept she was guilty. She has since filed an appeal.
Aftermath
Jordan Trengove said he intended to pursue legal action against police over how his case was handled. Mohammed Ramzan said he felt no sense of triumph, only sadness, over how long it might take his family to recover from the accusations.
FAQ
What was Eleanor Williams convicted of?
Nine counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice, connected to her fabricated rape and trafficking claims.
How did investigators determine the claims were false?
Evidence showed Williams had caused her own injuries, including with a hammer, and that details of her claims -- such as her account of being trafficked to Blackpool -- did not match her actual, independently verified movements.
What happened to the men she falsely accused?
One spent 73 days in jail before the case against him collapsed; another was placed under the Mental Health Act; the court heard that three men attempted to take their own lives during the ordeal.