Surrey woman cautioned over Ockham Common attack claim

A woman has been cautioned for wasting police time after falsely claiming she was assaulted while walking her dogs.

The 23-year-old, from Ockham in Surrey, said she had been walking back to her car in Ockham Common with the dog lead around her neck when she was attacked.

She claimed a man came up behind her and pulled the lead tight, causing her to fall and leaving marks on her neck.

She admitted making it up after police found the description of her attacker matched that of her ex-boyfriend.

Her allegation sparked a lengthy investigation, with officers releasing an e-fit of the man they were seeking in connection with the offence in October.

Det Con Mike Taylor, who investigated the incident, said: "Wasting valuable police time and resources cannot be condoned, and this woman has been dealt with for what she has done.

"However, we would not discourage anyone from coming forward with a genuine allegation, which we will investigate as fully as possible."