A Metropolitan Police officer has been sentenced to seven years in prison for raping a woman after a New Year's Eve party. Rupert Edwards, 33, who worked for the force, attacked the woman at her home while off duty following the celebrations in January 2018.
Details of the Attack
Prosecutor John Clifford told Southwark Crown Court that the victim had been drinking heavily as midnight approached and fell asleep on the sofa. She woke to find chocolates on her, thrown by other partygoers. Edwards, who heard about the party and attended after midnight, later diverted an Uber to his own home before going to the victim's residence instead.
The victim had vague recollections of a taxi ride with Edwards, thinking it strange he did not leave before her. She next remembered waking up naked in bed next to him. Edwards made a crass remark about having had sex, leaving the victim disgusted as she had not consented.
Victim Impact Statement
In a victim impact statement read to the court, the woman said she felt 'emotionally numb' after the attack. 'I felt emotionally numb, as if there was a black spot over everything,' she said. 'While I was not suicidal, I often felt that the idea of not waking up the next day was appealing.' She added, 'A conviction does not bring me closure. I will continue to live with the effects of what he has done.'
Investigation and Trial
The victim contacted police in October 2023 to report the incident from January 1, 2018. Edwards was arrested in April 2024 and charged with rape in March 2025, according to the Metropolitan Police. He was found guilty on May 22 of one count of rape after a trial. Edwards, who had been a police officer for over eight years before being suspended in 2022, was previously acquitted of raping two other women in separate trials.
Sentencing
Sentencing Edwards, Judge Nicholas Rimmer said, 'She knew nothing of what had happened until you made clear that you had had sex with her the following morning.' He noted the attack occurred at the victim's home, which 'ought to have been her sanctuary.' Edwards, of Bexhill, East Sussex, showed no reaction as he was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment and issued a restraining order banishing him from contacting the victim or visiting her address.
Timothy Greaves of the Crown Prosecution Service said, 'Rupert Edwards preyed on a woman and took advantage of her. Despite his claims that this was consensual, the evidence clearly showed that it was rape.' He added, 'We recognise that it can be difficult to report these offences and I want to thank the victim for coming forward. I hope today's sentence brings some comfort to all of the women affected by Edwards' conduct.'
