Ex-Met police officer jailed 7 years for raping female colleague after New Year's eve party

A former Metropolitan Police officer has been sentenced to seven years in prison for raping a fellow officer after a New Year’s eve party in London.Rupert Edwards, 33, was convicted of raping the woman after accompanying her to her home in the early hours of January 1, 2018. Southwark Crown Court heard that the attack took place while both officers were off duty following a New Year’s celebration.According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the victim had been heavily intoxicated during the party and had little memory of the events leading up to the assault. Prosecutors said Edwards redirected a taxi that had been booked to take him home and instead travelled to the woman’s address, where the rape took place.The woman later recalled waking up beside Edwards and discovering they were both naked. She told the court she had never consented to sexual activity and was horrified by what had happened. Prosecutors said Edwards later sent her a message asking to meet again for another sexual encounter.Sentencing Edwards, the court also imposed a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim or visiting places where she may be present.In a statement read in court, the woman said the rape had left her emotionally devastated and that the conviction would not erase its lasting impact. “A conviction does not bring me closure. I will continue to live with the effects of what he has done,” she said.The victim reported the assault to police in 2023, prompting an investigation that led to Edwards’ arrest the following year. He was later charged and found guilty of one count of rape after a trial.