A former Metropolitan Police officer who attacked various girls instructed one sufferer “you’ve met the devil” whereas on the pressure.
Cliff Mitchell, 24, has been convicted six years after an investigation into earlier assaults on a younger lady have been discontinued. Mitchell, of Putney in Wandsworth, south London, approached one among his victims with a knife and instructed her to place her arms behind her again, earlier than tying her up with cable ties and placing tape over her mouth.
He instructed one sufferer no person would ever consider her if she spoke up as a result of he was a police officer. Mitchell was discovered responsible of 10 counts of rape, three counts of rape of a kid beneath 13, one rely of kidnap and breach of a non-molestation order following a trial at Croydon Crown Court at present (Wednesday, February 21).
READ MORE:Met Office points pressing 11-hour climate warning after ‘hazard to life’ discover
Click for extra disturbing information from the Daily Star.
(Image: PA)
The courtroom heard how on September 5, 2023, Mitchell visited the tackle of a lady who he raped at knifepoint earlier than blindfolding her along with his hooded high, tying her fingers with cable ties and forcing her into his automobile. In Longfield Avenue in Hackbridge she managed to flee from the car and was seen operating via visitors earlier than a member of the general public let her into her automobile and referred to as 999.
An alert was put out for Mitchell’s automobile and he was stopped and arrested round seven miles away in Putney. Mitchell was a serving officer on the time and was later dismissed from the Met in December 2023 following an accelerated misconduct listening to.
In a 999 name performed to the courtroom the sufferer instructed the operator: “He’s kidnapped me.” She additionally mentioned Mitchell was within the automobile behind her as she travelled within the car of the passer-by who supplied assist.
(Image: PA)
In 2017 he was subjected to a rape investigation which had resulted in no additional motion. The case was re-opened following his arrest which led him being charged with six counts of rape of a lady referring to a second sufferer, between 2014 and 2017.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundi mentioned it was a “truly shocking” case that marked a “brazen abuse of power”. He mentioned: “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.
“Mitchell not solely carried out a sustained marketing campaign of abuse in opposition to each of his victims, however he instructed one among them she would by no means be believed as a result of reality he was a police officer. This brazen abuse of energy makes Mitchell’s actions all of the extra deplorable.”
(Image: Google)
He continued: “I know this is another case which will impact the confidence people have in us. We are doing more than we have done in decades to rid the Met of those who corrupt our integrity, including investing millions of pounds into our professional standards team and bringing in additional officers and staff with specialist skills and experience to investigate criminality and misconduct.”
Mitchell utilized to affix the Met in 2020 and began his coaching in August 2021. On ending coaching college, he labored as a neighbourhoods officer in Hounslow between June 2022 and May 2023, earlier than becoming a member of the response group.
If you or any person has been affected by this story, contact Victim Support free of charge, confidential recommendation on 08 08 16 89 111 or go to their web site.