’s latest documentary, Accused: The Fake Grooming Gang Scandal, has sparked 66 complaints to Ofcom following its broadcast on January 7.
The three-part series explored the controversial case of Ellie Williams, a teenager from Barrow-in-Furness who falsely claimed she had been sexually abused by a group of Asian men.
Her Facebook post in May 2020, accompanied by photos of severe injuries, led to public outrage. This then resulted in targeted harassment of innocent local Asian men, and a wave of online vigilantism.
Ofcom confirmed viewers were left infuriated by the program’s timing and as they claimed the content were offensive to victims of genuine grooming gangs.
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Viewers have complained about a recent documentary series aired by Channel 4 (Image: Channel 4)
Before its premiere, the documentary was already a lightning rod for criticism on social media. Some argued that focusing on a fabricated case risked overshadowing the thousands of victims of real grooming gang abuse in towns like Rochdale, Oldham, and Rotherham.
However, critics like Ben Dowell of The Times praised the series for its balanced approach. Ben said that the documentary was executed “with professionalism and skill”, carefully acknowledging real cases of abuse while shedding light on the destructive impact of Williams’ lies.
The inclusion of a harrowing interview with Rochdale abuse survivor Nathalie underscored the seriousness of genuine crimes.The series painted a vivid picture of the devastation caused by Ellie’s claims.
Innocent men, like local businessman Mohammed Ramzan (known as Mo Rammy), endured threats, harassment, and even police raids after her accusations.
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Mohammed Ramzan faced repercussions after Ellie’s false allegations (Image: Channel 4)
The fallout extended to Barrow resident Jordan Trengove, who spent ten weeks in custody after being falsely accused of rape.While Accused sparked controversy, it also served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of false allegations and the power of misinformation.
Series director Sophie Robinson touched on the complex motivations behind Williams’ actions, with testimony from a forensic psychologist hinting at possible past trauma. The documentary aired amid a renewed national debate over grooming gangs.
Political leaders like Sir and Kemi Badenoch are currently clashing over calls for a new nationwide inquiry into child sexual abuse.
Badenoch has suggested that ongoing abuse remained unaddressed due to authorities fearing they would be seen as targeting minority groups, while Starmer defended his record as Director of Public Prosecutions.