A customs officer from Abbots Langley has gone on trial after allegedly making a false accusation of rape.

St Albans Crown Court heard today that Michaela Scott, 42, of Berkeley Close, told police she had been raped by her former boyfriend. She later admitted by email she had given her consent.

The former boyfriend was arrested and interviewed by police, and later suspended from his job as a British Gas engineer, before all charges were dropped.

The court heard he went to the police with Ms Scott’s email and she was later charged with perverting the course of justice for making a false claim of rape.

Prosecutor Camilla De Silva, said: “Michaela Scott told the police she had been raped by her partner.

“We say it was false and has perverted the course of public justice.”

The six women and four men of the jury were told that Ms Scott claimed to have been raped at the home they shared on December 11, 2008.

She reported the offence 12 days later on December 23 at north Watford police station and was later interviewed by officers at her home.

Ms Scott told police her ex-boyfriend had forced sex, despite asking him to stop more than once and had hurt her in the process.

During interview he claimed the couple had had a “normal” evening culminating with consensual sex.

The following day he texted Ms Scott to say he did not think the relationship was “going anywhere” and wanted to end it.

Miss De Silva said: "She then sent a text back saying he had hurt her during sex and it was rape and that she was going to report him to the police."

After officers received the potentially incriminating email, Ms Scott was interviewed by police. She claimed that at the time of the statement she was not sure if she had been raped, but since realised the sex had been consensual.

Miss De Silva said: "As a customs officer she has given statements to police many times.

"She knows the importance of being accurate and by making a false allegation of rape an innocent man has been arrested.

"These false allegations undermine genuine victims making complaints.”

Ms Scott, represented by Michaela Bonsu, denies perverting the course of justice between January 5 and February 15, 2009.

The trial continues.