False rape claim victim wins compensation

In what was described as a ‘landmark’ ruling, a man falsely accused of rape is believed to have become the first victim to win compensation under the criminal injuries scheme.

Clive Bishop was arrested on suspicion of raping a 17-year-old girl he had picked up in his taxi, though the case was dropped six weeks later. The teenage mother of two was charged with perjury and jailed for making the false claim, however Mr Bishop said he had lost his taxi business as a result of the claim.

Following the result of the tribunal, Mr Bishop can now apply for compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). An initial attempt to claim compensation from the CICA was turned down because he was not a victim of violent crime.

A future hearing will determine the level of compensation to be awarded.