A SERIAL liar walked free from court yesterday after making her FIFTH false rape claim.

Tracy Brooks, 26, accused two friends of sexually assaulting her last summer.

A court heard she had made three similar allegations in the past. In 2001 and 2002 she accused two former boyfriends of rape.

And in 2004 she told police she had been raped by a friends boyfriend. None of the men were arrested and she was not charged or cautioned over the claims.

But she was charged twice with perverting the course of justice over her latest claims.

The court heard that last July 31, she told police she had been attacked by a pal at his home. He was arrested and made to give intimate samples while she was examined by a doctor.

A month later Brooks, of North Shields, North Tyneside, said another friend had raped her at her home.

He was also held.

Allegations against both men were formally withdrawn in September when she was arrested.

Yesterday Brooks admitted perverting justice at Newcastle Crown Court.

Judge David Hodson told her: Two men were subjected to humiliation and anxiety that they were being charged with an offence that could have resulted in imprisonment.

But after hearing that binge drinker Brooks was receiving help for mental health problems, the judge sentenced her to 32 weeks jail, suspended for two years.

He added: You have escaped custody by a hairs breadth.