Cop Convicted for Faking Sexual Assault Claim to Trigger Manhunt
PC Lauren Evans, a South Area police officer, has been found guilty of perverting the course of justice after falsely claiming she was sexually assaulted by a plainclothes officer. The dramatic case played out at Southwark Crown Court.
False Allegation Sparks Police Manhunt
On 22 March 2023, Evans told police she was stopped on her way to work by an unmarked car and sexually assaulted. She gave a surname and described the vehicle, sparking an urgent search.
Remarkably, officers quickly located a plainclothes police officer with the same surname driving an unmarked car nearby. He was arrested immediately but later cleared as the story unraveled.
Investigation Exposes Entire Claim as Fabrication
Police found no evidence of any stop or assault. Evans had made up the entire story. Suspended in April, she pleaded not guilty on 1 December but was convicted by a jury on 8 December.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cutler said: “Officers should act with integrity at all times and lying about such a serious allegation is completely unacceptable. It undermines the work that takes place across the Met every day to support victims of sexual offences and it will not be tolerated.”
Sentencing Set as Misconduct Hearing Looms
Evans will be sentenced on 9 February 2026 and will also face a misconduct hearing. The Metropolitan Police have made it clear: false sexual assault claims within the force will not be tolerated.
