Police Officer from Putney Convicted of Multiple Rapes
Cliff Mitchell's offences include those against a child
Cliff Mitchell. Picture: Met Police
February 22, 2024
A 24-year-old former police officer from Putney has been convicted on multiple charges of rape including offences against a child.
Cliff Mitchell was found guilty of ten 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 at Croydon Crown Court on Wednesday, 21 February
He was a serving PC for the West Area Basic Command Unit in Hounslow when a number of the offences were committed and told one of his victims, he was untouchable because he worked for the Metropolitan Police.
On Tuesday, 5 September 2023, he went to the home of a woman who he raped at knifepoint before blindfolding her with his hooded top, tying her hands with cable ties and forcing her into his car. She managed to escape from the vehicle in Longfield Avenue in Hackbridge and approached a member of the public who let her into her car before calling 999.
An alert was put out for Mitchell’s car and he was stopped and arrested around seven miles away in Putney.
An investigation was immediately launched, led by the Met’s dedicated Domestic Abuse and Sexual Offending (DASO) team which has more than 50 experienced investigators targeting any officer or staff member suspected of domestic abuse or sexual offences.
Mitchell’s car was searched and the hooded top was recovered. A search of an address linked to him found a bag containing cable ties, similar to those the victim had described as being used around her wrists.
He was remanded in custody and charged with multiple counts of rape, kidnap and breach of a non-molestation order which had been in place since 20 July 2023 and immediately suspended.
Mitchell had previously been subject to a rape investigation in 2017, which had resulted in no further action. Following his arrest, the case was re-investigated and a file passed to the CPS. This 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 relate to a second victim and occurred between 2014 and 2017.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said, “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. I would also like to recognise the brave member of the public who came to the aid of one of the victims as she ran from Mitchell’s car.
“Mitchell not only carried out a sustained campaign of abuse against both of his victims, but he told one of them 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.
“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.
“Part of that is dismissing officers who should not be here at the earliest opportunity. Mitchell was dismissed from the Met in December 2023 - we did not wait for his conviction today.”
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