A SOUTHAMPTON woman who cried rape has been spared an immediate prison sentence after a judge said she needed help.

Nicole Morrison, 37, claimed the same man had also kicked, punched, put his hands around her neck and intimidated her on different occasions.

Southampton Crown Court heard the man was arrested but not charged over any of the allegations.

Morrison, who hobbled into court on crutches and wept for much of the hearing, had admitted three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Defence barrister Ximena Jones said Morrison was vulnerable and the man at the centre of the allegations also agreed she needed help and didn’t want her locked up.

Morrison, of Court Road, received a 12 month suspended sentence, coupled with 12 months supervision including a mental health requirement.