A 21-YEAR-OLD woman has admitted she lied about being viciously attacked in the Luton area of Chatham over the weekend.

Police launched a full investigation after the alleged victim, who has not been named, claimed she was grabbed from behind by four men and forced to the ground under Luton Arches. She originally claimed that the thugs beat her so badly that she had to be treated at Medway Maritime Hospital for cracked ribs and internal injuries following the alleged attack at about 2.30am on Saturday.

Police sealed off the area for more than five hours while forensic experts examined the scene. Officers also looked at CCTV footage from The Brook, where they suspected the alleged gang had started to follow the woman.

But the woman has since come forward and admitted to officers that no attack had taken place. A police spokesman confirmed: "The allegation has been withdrawn."

The young woman will be charged with wasting police time.