Fake grooming scandal's Eleanor Williams now from cash probe to why she lied

31 January 2024 , 19:55

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Eleanor Williams said she had been raped and beaten multiple times - but it was later proven in court that she had lied (Image: Facebook)

Eleanor Williams' horrific tales of rape went viral online and sparked outrage in her hometown - but few knew they were completely fabricated.

Williams, then 22, was jailed for eight-a-half-years in March last year after lying about being trafficked and sexually abused by a vicious Asian grooming gang. The young woman shared pictures of her injuries and disturbing lies on Facebook back in May 2020, in a post that was shared more than 100,000 times.

Her falsehoods sparked unprecedented protests in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, and fundraising efforts to support her campaign reached £22,000. Now, a BBC documentary titled Liar: Fake Grooming Scandal hears from the officers who treated her as a victim of sex trafficking - until it was proven that she was lying all along.

Williams lied to police officers for years and made serious sexual allegations against a number of men (CUMBRIA CONSTABULARY)

Williams was 17 when she made her first rape allegation, which she denied, and she later withdrew her claim. Eighteen months later, she made allegations against a second man who spent 10 weeks in prison, before being released. She went on to claim an Asian grooming gang forced her to have sex with several men.

In a bid to back up her lies, she fabricated evidence by creating fake social media profiles to send messages to herself, which she claimed were from her abusers. She also deliberately injured herself with a hammer. In a police video in the documentary, Williams describes one 'attack': "He had a knife and was waving it around… [He] pulled me into the bathroom by my hair, stripped me naked and was hitting me with the shower head."

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Her allegations, between 2016 and 2020, led to attacks on members of the Asian community and caused three people to try and take their own lives. In January 2023, Williams was found guilty at Preston Crown Court on eight counts of doing acts tending and intended to pervert the course of justice. She pleaded guilty to one count.

In March, she was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison. She will serve half of her sentence behind bars and the rest on licence once released. At sentencing, Judge Robert Altham said: "It is troubling to say the least that she shows no significant signs of remorse... Unless and until the defendant chooses to say why she has told these lies we will not know."

Williams, 23, is currently serving her eight-and-a-half-year sentence behind bars (AP)

Jordan Trengove said her lies ruined his life and people still don't believe him (PA)

The judge also said: "We are aware the sex trafficking of young females does occur. There is a risk genuine victims will be put off reporting and fear they will not be believed I am sure anyone investigating will do everything they can to support them. It is troubling she appears to show no remorse." It is not public knowledge which prison Williams is serving her sentence.

Since being locked up, furious well-wishers who donated cash to Williams have been demanding answers as to the whereabouts of their money. A private social media page set up for the fake 'justice' campaign collected as much as £22,000.

In April, it was announced the cash would be donated to charities that help the homeless and survivors of domestic abuse. Williams' mum Allison broke her silence on the issue on the Facebook group: "I have been waiting for some time to be able to put out a post on this page in regards to the money raised in 2020 for Ellie."

She continued: "I want to be as open and transparent as I possibly can, however I must be mindful of legal challenges. Based on the legal advise I have received I feel confident that I am finally able to update people safely regarding the situation around the money. The remaining funds I was holding have finally been donated in full."

As for why her daughter stooped to such destructive levels, Alison believes it was part of a desperate bid for attention. She told Sky News: "[I'm] heartbroken. I can't describe it. I still can't take it in really. It just doesn't feel real. The person the press are portraying is not the person I know." While she said she accepted that her daughter had told lies, she added: "I believe she was just trying to get people to listen to her."

Mohammed Ramzan (pictured with his wife Nicola Holt outside court) said he didn't know how his family would recover (PA)

Jordan Trengrove was arrested aged 18 after Williams, who he had only met on a night out once, claimed to police he had raped her at a flat. Eventually, Jordan was released from jail and his charges dropped. He shared how he tried to take his own life in front of his mother - 'but survived' - after locals started to believe Williams' lies.

He told The Sun last March: "She was getting so much support and there was so much grief... I wanted away from it all." Even though he was proven innocent, Jordan said people refused to believe him. He claimed he told his partner that they have two years to move because he "doesn't want to be in the area when [Williams] is released."

Mohammed Ramzan, 43, who Williams claimed had groomed her from the age of 12, put her to work in brothels in Amsterdam and sold her at an auction there, was also proven innocent. The court heard that his bank card was being used at a B&Q in Barrow at the time she was in the Netherlands with her sister and sister's boyfriend.

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Mr Ramzan told the court: "I have had countless death threats made over social media from people all over the world because of what they thought I was involved in." Following the hearing, he said outside court: "There's no winners here today, I feel no sense of triumph, only sadness. I'm not sure how the family and I are going to recover from this. Mud sticks and I fear it may take some time."

• Liar: The Fake Grooming Scandal airs on BBC2 at 9pm and is available on iPlayer.

If you are struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively you can email [email protected] or visit their site to find your local branch.

Nia Dalton