Metropolitan Police officer denies rapes and kidnapping

It comes as suspended Pc Cliff Mitchell, 23 appeared for the hearing via a video link from HMP Wandsworth to deny the eight counts.

The preliminary hearing at Croydon Crown Court saw the Met officer accused of raping the same woman on occasions between April 2020 and September 2023.

As well as claims of kidnapping her and another person last month.

Metropolitan Police pleads not guilty to rape and kidnapping charges

Mitchell was not on duty when he was arrested in September, Scotland Yard has said.

The Met Officer was from the West Area Basic Command Unit and has been suspended from duty and a referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct watchdog, the force has said.

Mitchell previously appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on September 7 charged with six counts of rape, one count of making threats to kill and one count of breaching a non-molestation order.

The CPS has been asked for comment on the reason for the changes to the indictment.

At that earlier hearing the court heard allegations that Mitchell approached the woman with a knife last month and that she was then bundled into his car.

He will stand trial at the same court from February 5, 2024, though Judge Michael Evans KC indicated that the case may be tried by a High Court judge.