Former officer convicted of sexual offences

A former Metropolitan Police officer has been convicted of a series of sexual offences against a woman he met through his work as an officer.

Former PC Mark Tyrrell, who was attached to Specialist Operations, was convicted by a jury at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday, 27 October for the following offences:

• One count of rape
• Three counts of sexual assault
• One count of perverting the course of justice

He was found not guilty in relation to 13 other charges, including one count of rape.

The former officer had previously pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office and one count of perverting the course of justice at a hearing at Southwark Crown Court on 17 October 2024.

He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at the same court on Wednesday, 16 December.

Chief Superintendent Sara Leach, Commander within Specialist Operations, said: “Former PC Tyrrell abused his position of trust as a police officer by instigating a romantic relationship with this victim, who he then subjected to years of abuse.

“I would like to thank her for the immense strength and courage she showed in coming forward and reporting him, as well as giving evidence during this trial. It is down to her bravery that he has now been convicted and faces a significant prison sentence.

“This kind of conduct is abhorrent but even more so when it is carried out by a serving officer, who had gained the trust of the victim. We remain appalled that someone like this was serving within our organisation and it is right he has been brought to justice.”

Following Tyrell’s conviction, the Met will now consider preparing a report for MOPAC seeking pension forfeiture.

In April 2023, a woman came forward to report she had been in a relationship with Tyrell for a number of years, during which time he raped and sexually assaulted her on several occasions.

An investigation was immediately launched, which quickly revealed Tyrell had met the victim while carrying out a welfare check before consequently contacting her without a proper policing purpose for doing so.

On initial questioning, he claimed that the woman was his landlord, that they had never been in a romantic relationship and denied all of the claims against him.

He was arrested and suspended from duty. He resigned five months later, in September 2023.

The allegations were referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). They carried out an independent investigation, which led to Tyrell being charged with multiple offences.

Background:

Despite his retirement, an accelerated misconduct hearing was held on 7 December 2023. This found that former PC Tyrrell would have been dismissed had he still been a serving officer, and he was added to the barred list meaning he will not be eligible to serve in policing again.

In accordance with the Police Pensions Regulations 1987 and current Home Office Guidance, pensions can only be forfeited for very specific reasons. It is the responsibility of the Mayor’s Office for Police and Crime to make pension forfeiture applications to the Home Secretary for consideration. We will now consider preparing a report for MOPAC to assist with this process.