Met PC found guilty of multiple rapes, including a child, and kidnap

Cliff Mitchell, 24, A former Metropolitan Police officer has been found guilty of 10 counts of rape, including three of raping a child under the age of 13, one count of kidnap and breach of a non-molestation order.

Mitchell, of Putney, south-west London, was a serving PC when he committed a number of the offences.

The Met said Mitchell had previously been subject to a rape investigation in 2017, which had resulted in no further action.

On Tuesday, 5 September 2023, Cliff Mitchell blindfolded a victim with his hooded top, tied her up with cable ties and threatened her with a knife, putting tape over her mouth and forcing her into his car.

The court was told that she managed to escape from the vehicle in Longfield Avenue in Hackbridge and a female motorist who let her into the car before calling 999.

He was sacked by the force in 2023.

Following his latest arrest, the case was reinvestigated which resulted in Mitchell being charged with an additional three counts of rape of a child under 13 and three counts of rape.

Six of the charges related to a second victim and occurred between 2014 and 2017, the force said.

A jury at Croydon Crown Court found Mitchell guilty of 10 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.

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.

“Part of that is dismissing officers who should not be here at the earliest opportunity. Mitchell was dismissed from the Met in December 2023 – we did not wait for his conviction today.”