No charges after woman files false sex assault report in Delta
Posted June 17, 2018 9:28 am.
Last Updated June 17, 2018 9:49 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
DELTA (NEWS 1130) – We now know a sex assault said to have taken place in Delta this spring never actually happened.
However, police want you to know any future reports will still be taken seriously.
Despite Delta Police dedicating two months on the investigation by doing things like increasing patrols at Sunbury Park and even calling a public meeting, Chief Constable Neil Dubord says any frustration about this false report won’t affect how they respond to the next sex assault.
“We want everyone to know that we welcome all reports of this type of behaviour and certainly the Delta Police will do everything in our power to investigate them to the best of our abilities.”
Dubord adds the woman who made up the story could be charged with public mischief, but in this case, that won’t happen.
“Investigators have determined it’s probably not in the best interest of the public for us to pursue charges in this matter. It was a very carefully considered decision and it was certainly done in consultation with Crown [Counsel] as well, making sure we understood all of it.”
He explains one reason they’re not looking to recommend charges is because her false statement didn’t target anyone.
“There wasn’t actually a person that was accused or falsely accused, in this particular case, and that was one of the factors that led to this decision as well.”
Even though police were duped, Dubord doesn’t want this example to deter anyone from coming forward in the future.
“We certainly don’t want anyone to feel that as a result of this case or any other case that they can’t come forward and will not be treated with, not only, the utmost respect but the utmost seriousness.”
The silver lining is the false case did lead to some safety improvements to Sunbury Park.
“It allowed us to be able to manage some of the issues that people have felt in that particular neighbourhood for some time being staircases that are too dark, bushes that are overgrown and other factors that actually can help increase the safety of that park. So, we were able to take some proactive action and actually make it better for the community.”
Police say the woman did explain to them why she lied, but they’re not releasing any of those details.
The attack was said to have happened on Apr. 12.
