Rape-accused police officer convicted of misconduct

Mitchell has been convicted of misconduct

A Northumbria Police officer has been convicted of six counts of misconduct in his dealings with vulnerable woman.

But Stephen Mitchell, from Glasgow, was cleared of a further six misconduct charges and one indecent assault.

He had earlier been cleared of three counts of rape, two counts of misconduct in a public office and two counts of indecent assault.

The jury at Newcastle Crown Court is continuing to deliberate on two rape charges and three indecent assaults.

A further charge of misconduct is also being considered.

The 42-year-old denies all the charges.

During the five-week trial the court has heard that Mitchell was accused of preying on heroin addicts who had been arrested.

But his defence counsel claimed the women colluded against him after a rumour started by one claimant was picked up by others in the city's close-knit criminal fraternity.