In a disturbing revelation from London’s Metropolitan Police Service, former officer Cliff Mitchell, 24, has been found guilty of 13 counts of rape, including against a child, and has had his prison sentence increased upon appeal. The initial conviction at Croydon Crown Court, which resulted in a life sentence with a minimum term of 13 years and 225 days, was deemed unduly lenient by the Court of Appeal, leading to an extended minimum term of 17 years and 225 days.
Mitchell’s heinous crimes, committed between 2014 and 2023, include over 50 sexual assaults against two female victims. His most horrific act involved kidnapping a woman in September last year, during which he bound her with cable ties and silenced her with duct tape. The brutality of his actions came to light during his trial, where he was described as attempting to control and dominate his victims, using fear and physical restraints.
The Court of Appeal’s decision came after the Solicitor General’s referral, emphasizing the severity and premeditated nature of Mitchell’s crimes. Representing the Solicitor General, Paul Jarvis argued that the initial sentence did not fully reflect the gravity and systematic nature of Mitchell’s offences, describing his campaign of rape as particularly egregious.
Mitchell’s defence, which cited his previous good character and the stress and depression he purportedly experienced during the period of the rapes, was insufficient to mitigate the extended sentence. The appellate judges dismissed these claims, focusing instead on the impact of his crimes on the victims, who continue to suffer from severe psychological trauma.
This case has added to the ongoing scrutiny of the Metropolitan Police’s internal culture and procedures, following other high-profile misconduct cases within the force. The Met’s Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy expressed deep regret over Mitchell’s actions, acknowledging the damage such cases do to public trust in the police.
Mitchell, who was dismissed from the police force following his arrest, now faces a significantly longer period behind bars, reflecting the courts’ commitment to addressing serious abuses of power and ensuring justice for victims of sexual violence.
