A WOMAN who claimed a taxi driver had tried to rape her in a bid to avoid paying the fare has been jailed.

Gemma Hasson, 25, got a taxi home to Wood Walton following a night out in St Ives on Saturday, March 27, last year. She did not have enough money to pay the fare, so the driver took her to several cash points but she was unable to withdraw any cash because the clocks had changed and there was a problem with her account.

He dropped her outside a house in The Green, Wood Walton, where she claimed to live and agreed to return the following day to pick up the money. However, he caught her hiding in the front garden and challenged her.

She phoned a friend who contacted her father who went to the scene where she told him the driver had attacked her by ripping off her leggings and knickers.

The man was arrested on suspicion of attempted rape and spent 17 hours in custody.

However, neighbours had heard the argument and confirmed her clothing had been intact at the time.

She also claimed to have paid the driver �40, but none of the cash in the car was found to have her fingerprints on.

She pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and was jailed for 12 months at Peterborough Crown Court on Friday.

Detective Constable Martin Brocklebank said: “Hasson’s claims led to a lengthy inquiry which cost the force about �4,000.

“She had numerous opportunities to tell the truth but refused and continued with the allegation which nearly cost an innocent man his livelihood.

“This type of false allegation undermines the true victims of such crime and this should serve as a warning that we will prosecute people who make malicious claims.”