Rape case dropped against former police officer

A rape case against David Parsons has been dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service

A case against a former police officer accused of rape has been dropped because there is "no longer a realistic prospect of conviction", according to the Crown Prosecution Service.

David Parsons, formerly of West Mercia Police, was alleged to have committed the offence in January 2022.

He was due to stand trial in December after pleading not guilty at Birmingham Crown Court in August 2024.

A spokesperson for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: "In this case, a change in the availability of key evidence meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. A decision was therefore taken to offer no evidence."

They added: "Our prosecutors take the greatest care when examining allegations of rape and we are committed to bringing perpetrators to justice whenever we have the evidence to do so."

West Mercia Police previously said the charge related to an off-duty matter.

Mr Parson is no longer a serving police officer, the force has since confirmed.