A CHAPLAIN at a Catholic college in Birmingham made a false allegation of rape against a parish priest as their relationship came to an end.

Emma Templeton, of Cardinal Newman College, lied to police that she had been raped by Father Patrick Udoma, who she began a relationship with while he was based at St Rose of Lima Catholic Church, in Weoley Castle.

But the 44-year-old mum of four, of Bunbury Road, Northfield, escaped jail after she admitted a charge of doing acts intending to pervert the course of justice at Birmingham Crown Court.

Sentencing Templeton to ten months’ imprisonment suspended for a year, Recorder James Burbidge QC said Fr Udoma’s life had been “completely devastated” by the bogus claim, and that he’d lost his job and home as a result.

The priest was arrested on suspicion of rape and spent 23 hours in police custody being questioned over Templeton’s allegations, Shenaz Musaffer, prosecuting, told the court.