A TEENAGER who lied to police that her ex-boyfriend drugged and raped her after he refused to rekindle their relationship has been handed a suspended sentence.

Hannah Sandover, 18, who lived in Southwick at the time of the offence, pleaded guilty to wasting police time last month, and was given a four-month suspended sentence and a restraining order, stopping her from contacting her former lover for two years when she appeared at Salisbury Magistrates Court on Friday afternoon.

Sandover was also ordered to pay £200 in compensation and told to complete up to 15 days of rehabilitation activity requirement.

Defending Sandover, Mr Moses Tawo said: “Miss Sandover has already been punished as she has been the subject of adverse publicity and attention in the news and press.

“She has appeared in national newspapers and been the topic of common gossip in Trowbridge, which is a small town.”

Sentencing Sandover, chairman of the magistrates, Elaine Stallard said: “We have been discussing for some time, as this is a very serious case we want to make sure justice is done.

“You had many opportunities to come clean to either the police or the sexual assault referral centre, but it was only when your foster mother questioned your story you confessed to her.

“We also have to consider the effect this has had on your ex-boyfriend who spent five and a half hours in custody.

“We feel the only fair punishment is a custodial sentence.We are giving you a sentence of four months, suspended for two years, so you are not going to prison today, but if you commit another crime in the next two years, then you will be.”