A DECORATED police sergeant accused of rape and perjury in the Stephen Lawrence inquiry has finally had his name cleared.

Peter Solley MBE, aged 48, of Bexleyheath, was accused of making a statement he knew to be untrue to the inquiry.

But the case was dropped by the prosecution, last Friday because it depended on the evidence of the rape complainant who was completely discredited on December 10.

The 51-year-old community worker claimed Sgt Solley had raped her nine times and tried to pass off a document as his own work when she had written it.

Prosecutor Patricia May told the Old Bailey: "There was evidence Mr Solley had lied in his interview under caution.

"He asserted he had completed the document on his computer."

Defending, Michael Bromley-Martin insisted Solley had told the truth about the Lawrence document, he did produce the document but with the help of the woman on her computer.

Sgt Soilley is due to retire in 14 months but is likely to face a disciplinary hearing.

December 18, 2001 11:49

Linda Piper