England: Prosecutors pay £35,000 in compensation in ‘sexsomnia’ case
An alleged rape victim whose case was wrongly abandoned by English prosecutors after lawyers for the defence claimed she had “sexsomnia” has received £35,000 in compensation.
Jade McCrossen-Nethercott launched legal action against the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) with support from the Centre for Women’s Justice after the prosecution service accepted its decision was wrong.
Ms McCrossen-Nethercott, who waived her right to anonymity in order to speak about the case, said she woke up after a night out in 2017 feeling that she had been raped in her sleep.
She reported the alleged rape to police within hours and the alleged perpetrator was arrested and charged. However, the CPS withdrew the case just days before the trial was set to begin in 2020.
The CPS apologised in 2022 and said the case should have gone to trial.
Ms McCrossen-Nethercott subsequently launched legal action against the CPS, winning a rare compensation payout.
A spokesperson for the CPS told the BBC: “A settlement has been reached with Ms McCrossen-Nethercott, to whom we have apologised unreservedly, and we continue to wish her the very best going forward.
“We remain positive about the progress being made and recognise there is still a long way to go to improve outcomes for victims, so more people can come forward and report with confidence.”