Ex-Met cop jailed for rape after victim’s data snooping scandal
Former PC Ireland Murdock, 26, was found guilty of rape at Inner London Crown Court on Monday, 3 April. The ex-officer, once attached to the Central North Basic Command Unit, will be sentenced on Tuesday, 23 May.
Dismissed After Data Breach
Murdock was swiftly booted from the Metropolitan Police last July. This came after he admitted to unlawfully accessing the victim’s name in a police database — a serious breach of trust and protocol.
Shock and Outrage in the Met
Chief Superintendent Andy Carter slammed Murdock’s actions as “absolutely atrocious” and said the victim suffered “a lot of pain and fear.”
“He betrayed everything we stand for and I am disgusted by his actions,” Carter said.
He praised the victim for her bravery and thanked the investigators for building a strong case that led to Murdock’s conviction.
“We took immediate action to suspend and then dismiss Murdock as soon as his misconduct came to light,” Carter explained. “We are determined to maintain a police force the public can trust.”
Details of the Crime and Cover-Up
- On 25 September 2021, Murdock allegedly raped a woman he knew while off duty.
- The victim reported the attack on 9 January 2022.
- Murdock was arrested two days later.
- On 31 March 2022, he was charged with rape and unauthorised access to computer material.
- He pleaded guilty to the data breach but denied rape until the court verdict.
Professional Purged from Police Ranks
After admitting the unauthorised database access, Murdock faced an accelerated disciplinary hearing in July 2022. The panel found his conduct grossly misconducted police standards, leading to his immediate dismissal without notice.
He’s now blacklisted on the College of Policing’s Barred List, meaning he cannot work for any police force, local policing bodies, or related organisations like the Independent Office for Police Conduct or Fire and Rescue Services.
This case shines a harsh spotlight on the standards expected from those sworn to protect. The Met vows swift justice for any officer who betrays public trust.
