Wellington, April 15 NZPA - A Nelson woman has been jailed after instigating false accusations of sexual assault against a mentally impaired man.

Tracee Marie Deane, a 39-year-old mother and stepmother of five, was yesterday sentenced to two years eight months in prison after admitting a number of charges, including conspiring to bring a false accusation, fraud and theft, the Nelson Mail reported.

The false accusation charge related to an incident in May last year when Deane and her daughter were at the library with a friend when they saw a mentally impaired man with whom Deane had bad blood.

They called police and said the man had grabbed Deane's daughter's breasts and groped her. The man was arrested and charged with indecent assault.

Police began to have doubts as security camera footage at the library failed to back up the story.

Deane's daughter and her friend, who was also mentally impaired, were re-interviewed and both said the woman had told them to lie.

Judge Tony Zohrab said the serious nature of Deane's offending meant a sentence of over two years was warranted.

Her dishonesty offences were against other vulnerable people and included stealing from a woman in a community home.

Deane's husband told the newspaper the sentence was too harsh.

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