A Metropolitan Police officer has been found guilty of rape at Southwark Crown Court. PC Rupert Edwards was convicted today for attacking a woman on New Year's Day in 2018 while off duty.
The court heard evidence from two previous trials in which Edwards was acquitted of raping two other women in August and September 2022. Prosecutors used recorded interviews and cross-examination from those cases to highlight similarities in his behaviour, which the Met said played a key role in securing the conviction.
Edwards, who is suspended from duty, was first reported to police in October 2023. He was arrested on April 29, 2024, and charged with rape on March 12, 2025, following further enquiries.
He will now face an accelerated misconduct hearing, where he is expected to be dismissed. Sentencing is scheduled for Friday, July 10.
Chief Superintendent Dan Knowles, in charge of policing for south west London, praised the victim's courage and said: “This was a despicable offence... Dangerous offenders of all types who seek to harm women and girls will be relentlessly pursued and justice will be served.”
