Assault claim against Trowbridge man dropped (From Wiltshire Times)

Assault claim against Trowbridge man dropped

6:00pm Sunday 10th October 2010 in Latest News

Colin Callow

Trowbridge man Colin Callow may take legal action against a woman who accused him of sexual assault, after a criminal charge over the false allegations was dropped on medical grounds.

Lucinda Welch, of Millhand Villas, Lower Studley, Trowbridge, denied a charge of perverting the course of justice when she appeared before a judge at Swindon Crown Court earlier this year.

The 36-year-old made allegations to police in May 12 last year, claiming she had been sexually assaulted by Mr Callow. He was arrested but all charges against him were later dropped.

Ms Welch was due to face trial at Swindon Crown Court, charged with perverting the course of justice. That case was dropped last week after the Crown Prosecution Service received a medical report.

Mr Callow, 65, a former Trowbridge town councillor, said: I was on holiday last week when the decision was made and received a letter from CPS telling me that the charge had been dropped.

“I’m a bit annoyed the whole case has collapsed. I didn’t want her to go to prison but some suitable punishment would have sufficed.”

He is considering taking legal action against Ms Welch following his ordeal, adding: “I will be seeking legal advice to the view of private prosecution.”

Mr Callow who works at the Safe and Sound security company in Trowbridge became friends with Ms Welch through work and was shocked when he found out about the allegations.

“On the Monday morning after the (council) elections last year I received a call from six police officers in two cars. They asked me if I knew why they were here and I said ‘I don’t have a clue’.

“They took me to Melksham police station where I spent all day, and then bailed me. They asked for my fingerprints and DNA and I had never had that taken before because I didn’t have a criminal record.”

Mr Callow then saved text messages and a Christmas card sent to him by Ms Welch and handed them to the police.

Following this Ms Welch was arrested and charged with perverting the course of justice.