Police officers protecting us

A former Metropolitan Police Officer who was allowed to join the force after previously being accused of child rape has been convicted of carrying out multiple sex attacks.



Cliff Mitchell, 24, was convicted of ten counts of rape, three counts of rape of a child under 13, one count of kidnap and breach of a non-molestation order following a trial at Croydon Crown Court.



Mitchell was first accused of child rape in 2017, but the investigation resulted in no further action and he was later able to join the Met Police, beginning his training in August 2021.



But he was arrested again in September last year after kidnapping and raping a woman at knifepoint at her home.



His trial heard how after the attack he blindfolded the woman, tied her hands with cable ties and forced her into his car.



But she was able to escape from the vehicle and raise the alarm with a member of the public who stopped to help her and dialled 999.



An alert was put out and Mitchell’s car was stopped around seven miles away in Putney.



Officers who searched his car recovered the hooded top which had been used to blindfold his victim.



Searches at his home also resulted in the recovery of a bag containing cable ties, similar to those the victim had described as being used around her wrists.



‘Brazen abuse of power’

Mitchell was remanded in custody and charged with multiple counts of rape, kidnap and breach of a non-molestation order. He was immediately suspended from the Met.



Detectives then re-investigated the 2017 allegations and passed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service resulting in him being charged with three counts of rape of a child under 13 and three additional counts of rape.



Those six charges related to a second victim and occurred between 2014 and 2017.



Following the verdict, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said: “This is a truly shocking case and I am sickened by Mitchell’s abhorrent behaviour and the pain he has caused the victims, who have shown enormous bravery by coming forward and giving evidence in court.



“It is down to their courage that he has been convicted and faces a significant custodial sentence. I would also like to recognise the brave member of the public who came to the aid of one of the victims as she ran from Mitchell’s car.



“Mitchell not only carried out a sustained campaign of abuse against both of his victims, but he told one of them she would never be believed due to the fact he was a police officer. This brazen abuse of power makes Mitchell’s actions all the more deplorable.



“I know this is another case which will impact the confidence people have in us. We are doing more than we have done in decades to rid the Met of those who corrupt our integrity, including investing millions of pounds into our professional standards team and bringing in additional officers and staff with specialist skills and experience to investigate criminality and misconduct.”