Former Met officer jailed for rape

A former Metropolitan Police officer has been jailed after being convicted of rape.

Former PC Rupert Edwards, who was attached to South West Command Unit, was sentenced to seven years at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, 10 July after being found guilty of the offence in May.

His conviction followed a significant step where the Met and prosecutors worked jointly to bring evidence from two previous cases - despite former PC Edwards’ acquittal – before the court to demonstrate his insidious pattern of behaviour.

Former PC Edwards - who was dismissed from the Met in June following an accelerated misconduct hearing - was found guilty of raping a woman in January 2018 while off-duty. The offence was reported to police in October 2023.

Chief Superintendent Dan Knowles, in charge of policing for south west London said: “This was a despicable offence and I have huge admiration and gratitude for the victim for having the courage to come forward and report former PC Edwards.

“Detectives in this case carried out a diligent investigation, ensuring former PC Edwards was charged at the earliest opportunity and that the most compelling evidence was brought before the courts.

“It was a bold step to use evidence from his previous trial to support this latest prosecution and demonstrates our commitment to supporting victims of police perpetrated abuse.

“Dangerous offenders of all types who seek to harm women and girls will be relentlessly pursued and justice will be served.

“My message to anyone who may have experienced something that didn’t feel right is that you can and should come forward. You will be listened to, and we will do everything we can to support you.”

In October 2023, a woman contacted police to report she had been raped by former PC Edwards on 1 January 2018, following a New Year’s Eve party. An investigation began and Edwards was arrested on 29 April 2024. Following further enquiries, he was charged with rape on 12 March 2025.

During the trial, the court heard evidence from two previous cases involving former PC Edwards relating to allegations of rape on two separate women in August and September 2022.

While juries in those cases returned not guilty verdicts, prosecutors were able to present elements of that evidence – including recorded interviews and court cross-examination of the victims - as part of the prosecution case in this trial. Barristers also provided the jury with relevant context from those previous cases to support their understanding of the evidence. This approach, agreed by the court, revealed concerning similarities in Edwards’ behaviour and played a key role in securing his conviction.

The victim-survivor in this case, alongside those involved in the previous cases, have been supported by dedicated specialist officers.

Former PC Edwards faced an accelerated misconduct hearing on Tuesday, 23 June. He was dismissed without notice and will be placed on the College of Policing barred list, preventing him from re-joining the Met or working for other police-related bodies.

The Met has worked relentlessly and at an unprecedented pace over the last three-and-a-half years to raise professional standards across the organisation, with more than 1,500 officers exited who did not meet those standards.

Alongside our extensive reactive investigations, we have invested in 200 more professionalism officers who are specifically and proactively focused on uncovering and dealing with wrongdoing.