Cliff Mitchell: Ex-Met PC found guilty of multiple counts of rape

Cliff Mitchell was convicted of multiple counts of rape, including the rape of a child under 13

A former Metropolitan Police officer has been convicted of 10 counts of rape, including three of raping a child under the age of 13.

Cliff Mitchell, 24, was also found guilty of one count of kidnap after tying up a victim, threatening her with a knife, putting tape over her mouth and forcing her into his car.

Mitchell, of Wandsworth, south-west London, was a PC in the Met when several of the offences happened.

He was sacked by the force in 2023.

A jury at Croydon Crown Court found Mitchell 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.

The Met said Mitchell had previously been subject to a rape investigation in 2017, which had resulted in no further action.

Following his latest arrest, the case was reinvestigated which resulted in Mitchell being charged with an additional three counts of rape of a child under 13 and three counts of rape.

These six charges related to a second victim and occurred between 2014 and 2017, the force said.

'Total system failure'

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy described Mitchell's actions as "deplorable".

"This is a truly shocking case and I am sickened by Mitchell's abhorrent behaviour and the pain he has caused the victims, who have shown enormous bravery by coming forward and giving evidence in court.

"It is down to their courage that he has been convicted and faces a significant custodial sentence."

He said Mitchell had told one of his victims she would never be believed due to the fact he was a police officer.

"This brazen abuse of power makes Mitchell's actions all the more deplorable," he added.

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the case raised questions as to how Mitchell was able to obtain a job in the Met having previously been investigated for rape.

"The fact that the police did not know Mitchell had a non-molestation order out against him whilst he was a serving officer shows total system failure in tackling violence against women and girls," she said.

She also called for "wholesale changes to vetting procedures".