Eleanor Williams' family car was 'torched' after mom Alison defended her over false rape claims
CUMBRIA, ENGLAND: Ellie Williams' family's car went up in flames in what is believed to be an arson attack. The $24,801 Range Rover Evoque burst into flames only a few seconds after her mother Alison Johnston took the handle. The former labor councilor described how her daughter's case tore apart their hometown, leaving her frightened and filled with suspicions that vigilantes may have set it on fire on purpose.
Williams even shared images of her wounds on social media, saying they were the result of the attack. They were only self-inflicted wounds, though. She was found guilty in January on eight counts of acting with the intent to pervert the court of justice and was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison.
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How did Ellie Williams' family's car catch fire?
Allison, 51, got inside the Range Rover Evoque around 8.30 am on Wednesday, March 29. She jumped out just in time to escape before the six-year-old engine caught fire after she noticed smoke right away. When the frightened mother dialed 999, firefighters sped to the scene to put out the fire. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
What was Eleanor Williams' mother afraid of?
Although the exact reason has not yet been determined, she suspects foul play given the vicious reaction that followed her daughter's trial. The fantasist's mother stated, "It's terrifying to think someone might want to do me and my family harm. That's definitely my fear, that someone did this on purpose to cause me harm. I have been told it could have been deliberate and I assume it was torched," as per The Sun. She added, "It’s possible it was an electrical fault and I am hoping that that is the case - I don't like to think there are people out there capable of doing this." She has informed Cumbria Police about the occurrence.
Williams' claims gained global attention
Eleanor Williams, 22, made her first allegations of mistreatment in 2017, but it wasn't until the pandemic in May 2020 that her claims gained widespread attention. Her claims soon gained international attention. A "Justice for Ellie" campaign amassed more than 100,000 Facebook supporters, and protesters took to the streets because they thought the police weren't handling the case properly. However, protesters were unaware that Williams was under suspicion from the authorities at the time of her posts for fabricating facts.
What does the research say about false rape cases?
False claims of rape are uncommon, according to research. According to a CPS report from 2013, there were 5,651 rape prosecutions over 17 months, and at the same time, there were 35 prosecutions for making false rape claims. As per the FBI, 8% of reported rapes were found to be "unfounded" after further inquiry. As per a 2017 report by the US National Institutes of Health, fake accusers "were primarily motivated by emotional gain. Most false allegations were used to cover up other behavior such as adultery or skipping school," reports BBC.