In 1991, Ratcliff's then-boyfriend, Michael Shorey, stood trial at London's Old Bailey, accused of killing two women. Ratcliff gave him a false alibi, claiming under oath in the witness box that they had been making love at the time. He was convicted and is serving two life sentences for murder. His court case was her last public appearance. She was not charged with perjury, however.
In 2005, it was reported that she had kicked her drug habit and was living on a £70 a week disability allowance. The actress battled drugs and booze during her life and trained as a counsellor after beating her heroin addiction.
