Marland Yarde, a former England rugby player, revealed the devastating toll a false rape accusation had on his mental health, even admitting he considered suicide. The claim, made by escort Sandra Ntonya, 44, from Manchester, rocked his career and personal life.
The court was told that Ntonya, known as “The Justified Hooker”, falsely accused Yarde of raping a teenage girl after an encounter at her house in 2022. The claim led to Yarde’s arrest and the collapse of his career with Sale Sharks and the England rugby team.
Stalking and Public Defamation
For 14 months, Ntonya stalked Yarde, relentlessly posting on social media and branding him a “rapist” — a claim that was proven false. Prosecutor Jack Troup revealed the profound impact these false allegations had on Yarde’s mental health. Struggling with the stress, Yarde sought psychiatric help and admitted to contemplating ending his life.
“He reports feeling like a complete failure,” Troup said during Ntonya’s sentencing at Manchester Crown Court. “The damage was profound and long-lasting, affecting not only his professional life but his family too.”
Life in Tatters
The impact of the allegations wasn’t just professional. Yarde, who has since moved to France to play rugby for Bayonne, also faced personal turmoil. He was forced to live apart from his daughter, who stayed with her mother in England. His mental health spiraled, leading to a period of excessive drinking and an emotional breakdown.
“I didn’t know how to cope with the stress,” Yarde said in a statement. “I felt completely powerless, and the false accusations made me feel like I had lost everything. It was hard to keep going.”
Ntonya Admits to Lies
Ntonya, who had previously boasted about her relationships with Premiership footballers, admitted to lying about the rape and apologized to Yarde during the court hearing. Despite her apology, Ntonya was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years. She was also ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and undergo mental health treatment.
Marland Yarde’s career was shattered after Sandra Ntonya, a 44-year-old sex worker from Manchester, falsely accused him of sexually assaulting a teenage girl.
Judge John Potter took into account her status as a primary caregiver for a child with significant health issues when deciding to suspend her sentence.
A Career Destroyed
Ntonya’s actions didn’t just affect Yarde’s personal life; they ended his rugby career in England. He was dropped from the national team and forced to leave Sale Sharks. His reputation was severely damaged by the false accusations and the online campaign that Ntonya launched against him.
“His career in England was destroyed,” Troup explained. “He had to move abroad, and his ability to continue playing for England was lost as a result of these false allegations.”
The Power of Social Media
The case highlights the dangerous power of social media in modern defamation. Ntonya’s online posts not only damaged Yarde’s career but also affected his family, with further harassment directed at those associated with him. The posts described Yarde as a “rapist” and spread the false narrative even after he was cleared of any wrongdoing.
“This was not just about false accusations,” said the prosecutor. “It was an online campaign to ruin his life.”
Marcus Johnstone, a UK criminal defence solicitor with over 20 years of experience in defending sexual assault allegations spoke to Lawyer Monthly about defending sexual assault allegations.
“Seek expert advice as early as possible from a specialist law firm. You should avoid a legal aid firm, as these firms are generally set up to deal with legal aid cases – and legal aid is only available after someone is charged. My main aim, from the outset, is to stop my client being charged.”
A Long Road to Recovery
Marland Yarde is still recovering from the trauma caused by the false allegations. While playing for Bayonne, he’s focused on rebuilding his career, though the emotional scars remain. He continues to receive support from close family and friends.
“I’m taking it one day at a time,” he said. “The support I’ve received from my family and those who believe in me means everything. I’m learning to move forward.”
Ntonya’s actions have not only affected Yarde’s career but also sparked a conversation about the damaging effects of false accusations and online harassment.
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