FORMER MET POLICE OFFICER JAILED FOR LIFE AFTER RAPING TWO VICTIMS INCLUDING A CHILD UNDER 13 – SENTENCE LATER INCREASED TO MORE THAN 17 YEARS A former Metropolitan Police officer who repeatedly raped two victims, including a child under the age of 13, has been jailed for life after being convicted of a string of horrific sexual offences. Cliff Mitchell, 24 at the time of sentencing, from Wandsworth, south-west London, was convicted of 10 counts of rape, three counts of raping a child under 13, kidnapping and breaching a non-molestation order. Mitchell was a serving Metropolitan Police constable based in Hounslow when several of his crimes were committed. His offending took place between 2014 and 2023, with the court hearing how he subjected his victims to years of sexual violence, intimidation and controlling behaviour. On 5 September 2023, Mitchell carried out a terrifying attack against one of his victims, arriving at her home armed with a knife. He raped the woman before threatening her, restraining her wrists with cable ties and covering her mouth with tape. Mitchell then forced the terrified woman into his vehicle at knifepoint. During the ordeal, he laughed as she cried and told her that nobody would believe her allegations because he was a police officer. The woman eventually managed to escape from his vehicle in Hackbridge, south London, and ran into traffic desperately seeking help. A passing motorist stopped and helped her into a vehicle before emergency services were contacted. The court heard a distressing 999 recording in which the victim explained that she had been kidnapped and that Mitchell was pursuing her. Investigators subsequently uncovered the extent of Mitchell’s offending, including serious sexual offences committed against another victim when she was under the age of 13. It also emerged that Mitchell had previously been investigated over an allegation of rape in 2017, although no further action had been taken at the time. Following his arrest in September 2023, that earlier investigation was reopened, resulting in additional rape charges. Mitchell was dismissed from the Metropolitan Police in December 2023 following an accelerated misconduct hearing. In February 2024, a jury at Croydon Crown Court found Mitchell guilty of the multiple sexual offences. His victims described him as “the devil” and “a pathetic excuse of a man”, revealing the devastating impact his crimes had on their lives. On 1 May 2024, Mitchell was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 13 years and 225 days. However, the case did not end there. The sentence was subsequently referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme. On 25 July 2024, Court of Appeal judges ruled that his original minimum term was insufficient given the seriousness and extent of his offending. His minimum prison term was increased by four years to 17 years and 225 days. Mitchell will therefore have to serve that minimum term before he can be considered for release by the Parole Board. Even if he is eventually released, he will remain subject to licence conditions for the rest of his life. The case raised further concerns about the Metropolitan Police’s handling of allegations involving its own officers, particularly after it emerged that Mitchell had been investigated for rape years before his eventual convictions. Mitchell’s crimes were a devastating abuse of trust by a man who had been entrusted with protecting members of the public. The courage of the two victims in coming forward ultimately helped bring a dangerous serial sex offender to justice.