Cliff Mitchell: Met officer told rape victim the attack was planned - court

Cliff Mitchell was an officer with the Metropolitan Police

A former police officer who allegedly raped a woman at knifepoint told his victim that he had pre-planned the attack as he ignored her pleas to let her go, a court has heard.

Cliff Mitchell, 24, from Wandsworth, south-west London, is accused of assaulting the woman in September 2023.

The court was told he repeatedly told his victim: "I'm smarter than you think. This has been pre-planned."

Mr Mitchell denies 13 counts of rape and two counts of kidnapping.

He also pleaded not guilty to breaching a non-molestation order.

Croydon Crown Court heard that Mr Mitchell approached the woman with a knife before tying her up with cable ties and putting tape over her mouth.

In a police interview played to the jury, the victim said Mr Mitchell threatened he would kill her.

The woman alleges that Mr Mitchell forced her and another person to get into his car.

She said she escaped by saying she had to get out of the car because she felt sick.

The court heard that she was seen running through traffic by members of the public.

'I was so scared'

In an earlier police interview, the woman said: "He chased after me with the knife and said 'come back to the car otherwise I'm going to kill (the other person in the car) right now'.

"I was so scared."

A passer-by noticed what was going on and managed to get her in her vehicle, the court heard.

Mr Mitchell was a PC in the Met's West Area Basic Command Unit.

He was a a serving officer with the Metropolitan Police during the "latter part" of the alleged offences, the jury has been told.

He was suspended from the force after the allegations came to light and has since been dismissed.

The charges against Mr Mitchell include six counts of rape against a girl, including three when she was under 13, between January 2014 and April 2017.

Mr Mitchell is also charged with seven counts of rape against a woman between April 2020 and September 2023.

The defendant says the allegations have been fabricated against him.

The trial continues.

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