A police officer from the Metropolitan Police has been sentenced to seven years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her home following a New Year’s Eve celebration. Rupert Edwards, 33, committed the assault while off duty. The victim, who had been heavily drinking, fell asleep on a sofa as midnight approached, according to the prosecutor, John Clifford, at Southwark Crown Court.
The woman woke up to find herself covered in chocolates that had been playfully thrown at her by other party attendees. Edwards, who arrived at the party in London after midnight, was said to have been present at the event.
The victim had hazy memories of the night but recalled sharing a taxi with Edwards, finding it odd that he did not exit before her. It was revealed in court that Edwards diverted the Uber ride from his destination to the victim’s residence.
The woman’s next recollection was waking up in bed next to the officer, both naked. Edwards callously mentioned their sexual encounter, leaving the victim feeling repulsed. She stated that she never consented to the act and would not have done so. Subsequently, Edwards propositioned her for another sexual rendezvous via text.
In a statement read in court, the woman expressed feeling emotionally numb following the incident. She described a sense of darkness overshadowing everything, though she was not suicidal. The conviction, she emphasized, did not bring closure as she would continue to endure the impact of his actions.
Edwards, residing in Bexhill, East Sussex, was arrested in April 2024 after the victim reported the assault to the police in October 2023. The assault occurred on New Year’s Day in January 2018. He had served as a police officer for over eight years before his suspension in 2022.
Found guilty of rape after a trial on May 22, Edwards had previously faced rape charges involving two other women. He was acquitted in one case during the initial trial and acquitted in the second case after a retrial. The sentencing judge, Nicholas Rimmer, remarked on the violation occurring in what should have been the victim’s safe space at home.
Edwards, who was emotionless during the sentencing, received a seven-year prison term and a restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim or going to locations where she might be present. Before being escorted away, he smiled at his family in the courtroom.
The Crown Prosecution Service representative, Timothy Greaves, highlighted Edwards’ predatory behavior and exploitation of the victim, asserting that the evidence clearly pointed to rape despite Edwards’ claims of consent. He commended the victim for her courage in coming forward and expressed hope that the sentence would bring solace to all affected by Edwards’ actions. The successful conviction, he noted, was a result of presenting a pattern of behavior to the jury.
