Police officer found guilty of rape

A Devon and Cornwall police officer has been found guilty of raping a woman he met on a dating website.

PC Stuart Mines, 49, was off duty when the rape took place at his home in south Devon in October 2022.

Mines denied rape and said sexual intercourse had not taken place, and everything that did happen had been consensual.

He was found guilty by a jury at Exeter Crown Court on Friday, remanded in custody, and will be sentenced on 19 March.

Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Matt Longman, from Devon and Cornwall Police, said Mines' conviction followed a "full and thorough" police investigation.

He said the force was "as committed as ever to reducing sexual violence and predatory behaviour, and to protecting women and girls from harm".

ACC Longman said his thoughts remained with the victim and said specialist officers continued to support her.

Judge Stephen Climie told Mines he was facing an "inevitable immediate custodial sentence" with guidelines starting the term at eight years.

Exeter Crown Court heard the officer, with 23 years of service, had been off-duty when he had invited the woman to his home for Sunday lunch in October 2022.

Prosecutor Joss Ticehurst said the pair had engaged in some intimacy and had both undressed to their underwear.

But the woman had told Mines she did not want sexual intercourse, Mr Ticehurst said.

The jury heard the woman had stayed and eaten a meal with the defendant after the rape, but said she had been "extremely uncomfortable" with what had happened.

She did not report the incident to police until April 2023 – seven months later – because she had feared she would not be believed, the court heard.

Mr Ticehurst said there was no typical response from victims in such situations.

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