My case is tip of iceberg, says man falsely accused of rape
THE businessman who endured nearly eight months in jail because police failed to disclose text records that proved his innocence of crimes including rape, fears his case “is the tip of the iceberg”.
Robert Adlington saw his life ruined and lost his landscape gardening business as he was locked up on remand in the wake of what he says were false allegations.
But police failed to disclose crucial evidence from his and his accuser’s mobile phone until the day of his trial.
A judge dismissed the case and the 53- year- old father of two teenage sons was declared innocent and set free.
Yesterday’s Daily Express expose sent shockwaves through the criminal justice system, where a nationwide review of all sex assault cases by the Crown Prosecution Service is now under way. It follows a series of failures to disclose vital information that would exonerate men charged with rape.
The CPS was unable to say how many cases were being reviewed, but it is thought to be several thousand.
Mr Adlington, of Buxton, Derbyshire, said: “If a policeman said or claimed something, I would have backed them all they way, as most people of my generation would. But now that has gone completely out of the window. I have no trust in them at all.
“I cannot believe my case is unique. I would imagine there are other people who have just decided to try to put the matter behind them and not speak out. But I believe it is essential to try and ensure things change and other people don’t have to endure the nightmare that I have experienced.
“I fear my case might be just the tip of the iceberg. It is a crucial that newspapers like the Daily Express are able to shine a light on police wrongdoing.”
During his first police interview after his arrest last May, Mr Adlington and his lawyer were told that phones had already been seized but their contents were withheld for months.
In one message after an encounter his accuser later claimed had been rape, the woman wrote: “Oh darling, that was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. Let’s do it again.”
Mr Adlington was originally told he would be kept in custody over the bank holiday weekend until an appearance before Chesterfield magistrates, where he would be bailed and allowed home. But in court, prosecutors described him as a “serious danger” and his application for bail was refused.
Mr Adlington was sent to Nottingham Prison, where he endured a “living hell trapped alongside “robbers, rapists, killers and drug addicts” where he was told he was charged with four counts of rape.
He is now planning to launch a claim for compensation, saying he has lost his home, business and good name at a cost of around £ 200,000.
Detective Chief Superintendent Kem Mehmet of Derbyshire Police said: “We have already referred our investigation into this case to an independent regional review team.” He added: “We would welcome the opportunity to discuss the situation with Mr Adlington directly, should he wish to do so.”