Weaponising the CPS: How False Allegations Are Being Used to Control Family Court Outcomes

By Michael Thompson, Founder – Falsely Accused Network

Over the past year, I’ve seen a sharp rise in a very calculated tactic—false allegations being made not to seek justice, but to influence the outcome of a family court case. And the worst part? It’s working.

We’re talking about a system where one well-timed call to the police can stall or sabotage an entire child arrangements process. No evidence. No charges. Just an accusation—and suddenly you're a "risk" to your own children. Your contact gets suspended. Your housing rights disappear. You’re treated as guilty until proven innocent in a system that was supposedly built around the welfare of the child.

Let’s be blunt: the CPS has become a weapon in family court disputes.

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The Pattern We Keep Seeing

Here's how it goes. A father applies for contact. Things look like they’re moving forward. Then—just days before the next hearing—a fresh police report lands. It’s often historic. Vague. Sometimes completely fabricated. But it's enough to trigger a safeguarding warning or an adjournment.

The criminal investigation gets kicked to the CPS, and the family court grinds to a halt. The accused is left in limbo for six months to a year—during which time they can lose access to their children, their home, and sometimes even their job or mental health.

No trial. No cross-examination. Just the allegation.

Judges Playing it “Safe” – At What Cost?

Family judges are in a difficult position. With no findings of fact and no criminal conviction, they’re left to decide what's best for the child. And under the pressure of "erring on the side of caution," many default to restricting or suspending contact—even when the accused has never had a chance to defend themselves.

The result? Fathers (and sometimes mothers) are punished without due process. Children lose vital relationships. And the person making the allegation gains control of the situation, which is often what they wanted all along.

A Case Example (Name Withheld)

One of our callers, a father from the West Midlands, had regular overnight contact with his son for months. When he applied for shared care, his ex-partner suddenly reported a "historic pattern of coercive control" going back nine years. No police involvement until that point. No evidence. But the mere fact she’d made a complaint meant contact was stopped by the judge until the outcome of the CPS decision—which didn’t arrive for another 11 months. It came back NFA (no further action). But by that point, the bond with his son had been broken, and the mother had successfully alienated the child.

So What Can Be Done?

This is not a rare problem. It’s becoming the go-to strategy for those who want to control the narrative in court without having to prove a thing.

Here’s what needs to change:

Police and CPS decisions must be fast-tracked where they affect family proceedings.

Family courts must demand evidence, not just allegations, before making life-altering decisions.

There must be real consequences for provably false or malicious reports.

Judges must be trained to spot weaponised safeguarding concerns and abuse of process.

If You’re Going Through This

If you're facing allegations that you know are false—especially if they’ve come up during or just before a family case—get in touch with us. Don’t wait. We can refer you to legal professionals who understand the tactics and know how to fight them.

And remember: you're not alone. This isn’t just your fight—it’s happening to thousands of decent, loving parents across England and Wales.

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