A British woman, Isabel Rose, 26, from Hackney, east London, has been sentenced to six years in prison in Hong Kong for blackmail and perverting the course of justice after a court found she made a false allegation of rape against a British banker.

Rose alleged that the banker raped her after she traveled to Hong Kong to visit him in January 2024. The man was arrested but later released without charge. Rose was subsequently arrested and charged.

According to local media, Judge Adriana Tse sentenced her to five years for blackmail and three years for perverting the course of justice, with one year to be served consecutively. Rose had denied the charges.

Prosecutors argued that Rose fabricated the allegation in an attempt to extort £100,000 ($134,000) from the man. Key evidence included WhatsApp messages where Rose demanded money, and the man transferred £5,000. In one message, Rose wrote: "You've given 10% of what I'm owed."

At sentencing, Judge Tse described Rose's actions as "cruel and evil" and said she "took advantage of [the man]'s kindness, naivety, friendship and romantic interest." Rose reported the rape on February 3 but was arrested the next day for false allegations.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk