Police Officer Cliff Mitchell Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Catalogue of Rapes
A shocking case of police misconduct has come to light as Cliff Mitchell, a 24-year-old former Metropolitan Police officer, has been sentenced to life in prison for a series of horrifying rapes.
Found guilty of 10 counts of rape
Mitchell was found 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 at Croydon Crown Court.
The court heard how Mitchell kidnapped one of his victims in September 2023, telling her “you’ve met the devil” as he tied her up and threatened to stab her. He cruelly taunted her, laughing at her tears and calling her derogatory names, while also warning her that nobody would believe her because he was a police officer.
It was revealed during the trial that Mitchell had previously been investigated for rape in 2017, but no further action was taken. Despite this, he was allowed to join the Metropolitan Police in 2021.
Following his arrest in September 2023, the case was reopened, and he was charged with six counts of raping a child, including three when she was under 13.
The victims express their trauma in court
The victims of Mitchell’s heinous crimes spoke out in court, expressing their trauma and the lasting impact of his actions on their lives. They described suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and living in constant fear due to the ordeal they endured at the hands of Mitchell.
Mitchell, who was serving in Hounslow at the time of the offences, was suspended from the force and later dismissed in December 2023. The judge, Mrs. Justice May, described him as a “deeply troubled young man” whose serious offending stemmed from a desire for control.
The case has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the vetting process for police recruits. All serving officers and staff identified as having been arrested for rape before joining the force are now being dealt with under Operation Onyx, in response to this appalling case.
