A woman who falsely claimed she had been raped by two housemates has been jailed for 15 months.

Natalia Sytnik, 24, alleged that she had been raped by a man and a woman living with her in a multi-occupancy home in St Leonards on November 9, 2013.

The couple were arrested, interviewed and had forensic swabs taken before being bailed.

But police said it became "abundantly clear" that Sytnik was lying and started investigating her instead.

On July 17, Sytnik, of Campbell Drive, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to one count of committing an act or series of acts with intent to pervert the course of justice. She appeared at Lewes Crown Court and was jailed for 15 months.

Detective Constable Naomi Morrison said: "All reports of sexual offences are taken very seriously and fully investigated. In this case it became clear that not only was there no evidence to support the claim, but all the evidence that we obtained pointed to her guilt.

"It is a very traumatic experience to be a victim of a sexual offence, and victims will always be given our full support. However it is also very traumatic to be falsely accused of such a serious offence."

The couple were later released from bail without further action.