A man who falsely accused British establishment figures of involvement in a murderous VIP paedophile ring, triggering a huge police investigation, was jailed Friday for 18 years.
Carl Beech, 51, claimed that he had been sadistically raped and abused by several famous figures in the 1970s and 1980s, including former prime minister Edward Heath.
The explosive allegations gripped British newspapers, politicians and the police.
But his claims, which led to a 2 million pounds (USD 2.5 million, 2.2 million euro) police probe, were completely fabricated.
Beech, a former children's charity worker and nurse, was jailed on 12 counts of perverting the course of justice, one of fraud, and also voyeurism and possession of indecent images.
Beech claimed three children had been murdered by the group and said his abusers included the disgraced late television presenter Jimmy Savile and the heads of the British intelligence services.
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Judge James Goss told Beech: he had "deliberately, repeatedly and maliciously told lies to the police", following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court in northeast England that lasted more than two months.
"You are an intelligent, resourceful, manipulative and devious person.
"You accused living persons of the highest integrity and decency of vile acts."
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