Police Officer Jailed For Life For 13 Rapes

Former Metropolitan Police officer Cliff Mitchell, who committed 13 rapes and once told a victim, “you’ve met the devil,” as he restrained her and abducted her in a car, has been handed a life sentence. The perpetrator, who was labeled a “pathetic excuse of a man” by his victims, was convicted of 10 counts of rape, three counts of child rape under the age of 13, one count of kidnapping, and breaching a non-molestation order. He will serve a minimum of 13 years and 225 days for offenses committed between 2014 and 2023. Upon release, he will remain on probation for the rest of his life.Mitchell, a 24-year-old from Wandsworth, was serving as an officer at the time of the crimes and was subsequently dismissed from the Met in December 2023 following a misconduct hearing. One of his victims recounted how he forced her and another person into his car, only managing to escape by claiming she felt ill. The court heard that Mitchell laughed at his victim as she cried, calling her a slut and assuring her no one would believe her because he was a police officer. She was eventually rescued by a passer-by who noticed her distress and offered her a ride.A search of an address linked to Mitchell after his arrest revealed a bag containing cable ties, similar to those used to restrain the victim. Despite a previous rape investigation in 2017 that led to no further action, Mitchell was re-investigated and charged with six additional counts of rape involving a second victim between 2014 and 2017. The victim was assaulted on at least 30 other occasions.Mitchell, a PC in the Met’s West Area Basic Command Unit, was serving in Hounslow when some of the offenses were committed. He was suspended from the force after the allegations surfaced and has since been dismissed. During the sentencing, one victim’s statement read, “You have shown no remorse for what you did to us. You deserve to spend the rest of your life in a cell because you are a serious danger to every woman walking the streets.”Mrs. Justice May, during the sentencing, stated that Mitchell’s crimes were so severe that a life imprisonment sentence was warranted. She described Mitchell as a “deeply troubled young man” whose offenses appeared to stem from a desire for control. The judge also commended the bravery of the victims and the police officers involved in the case, as well as the passer-by who helped rescue one of the victims.In February, Mitchell was found guilty of 10 counts of rape, three counts of child rape under 13, one count of kidnapping, and breach of a non-molestation order following a trial at Croydon Crown Court. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy described Mitchell’s actions as “deplorable” and highlighted the courage of the victims and the passer-by who aided one of the victims.