Met officer cleared of Southend rape but misconduct review continues

Prosecutors decided there was "no longer a realistic prospect" of convicting the Met Police officer

The Met Police has confirmed one of its officers is still subject to a misconduct review despite being cleared of rape.

PC Jordan Pascal, 34, of Havering, east London, was charged with raping a woman in Southend-on-Sea in 2009.

However, a Basildon Crown Court judge recorded a not guilty verdict in September this year after prosecutors decided to offer no evidence.

PC Pascal remained suspended from duty, the force said.

"A misconduct review continues by the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards," the Met Police spokesman said.

'Without fear'

PC Pascal worked at Essex Police at the time of the alleged offence, but joined the Met in 2012.

He was charged on 2 February, pleaded not guilty in April, and was acquitted on 19 September before the case ever went to trial.

Essex Police led the investigation and said: "We investigate all crime reported to us, whether recent or non-recent, and carry out thorough investigations without fear or favour.

"Victims who report offences to us can be confident that they will be believed."

The force claimed 91.3% of its sexual offence investigations resulted in successful convictions, compared with 84.5% nationally.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it decided not to offer any evidence because "there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction" and said it "gave a full explanation to those directly involved".

"The CPS takes allegations of rape seriously and use specially trained prosecutors from within a dedicated team to work on these types of cases," said a CPS spokeswoman.

"We work tirelessly to provide support to victims and will seek to prosecute when our legal tests are met."