RAPE is a terrible crime, and at least until recently, an under-reported one.

Yet there is another, mirror-image crime, which can be almost as devastating in its consequences.

Anyone who doubts the appalling impact a false rape claim can have on its victim should study the case of Basildon plasterer Terry Brown.

Terry was accused of rape by Lisa-Jayne Samuels, from Southend. It was a lie.

Sadly, Samuels’ account of the non-existent crime was stitched together with enough cunning for the police to interview Terry. That was enough for the mob.

Terry was attacked by vigilante gangs, his teeth were knocked out with a fence panel, he was stabbed, his home was daubed with graffiti.

A fall while running from a gang caused his girlfriend to lose their unborn child. Terry has been unable to work ever since.

Samuels’ mindless venom has wrecked the life of a completely innocent man.

Cases like this also threaten to do palpable damage to genuine victims.

Slowly the drive to persuade more rape victims to report their experience has begun to bear fruit.

But defendants and defence lawyers are still adept at planting doubt in juries’ minds, and a blatant false rape claim like that of Samuels, only adds to their armoury, and slows down the drive for justice.