Former police officer who raped woman jailed

A former Devon and Cornwall Police officer has been jailed for eight years after he raped a woman he met on a dating website.

PC Stuart Mines, 49, was off-duty when he raped the woman at his home in south Devon in October 2022.

He denied rape and said sexual intercourse had not taken place but he was found guilty by a jury at Exeter Crown Court on 14 March.

The victim told the court the attack had "completely destroyed" her faith in men and police.

Mines was suspended from duty when the attack was reported in April 2023 and he was then dismissed from the force after being found culpable of gross misconduct at a separate hearing last month.

The victim was in tears as her impact statement was read to the court by prosecution barrister Josh Ticehurst.

The court heard she had felt safe to go to Mines's home because he was a police officer.

"I will always have to live with what he has done, but I am strong and will continue to move forward away from his vile actions and on with my life," her statement said.

The court heard her faith in men and the police service had been "completely destroyed".

Defence barrister Kelly Scrivener said Mines had letters of support including from former partners and friends.

She said her client had behaved well in prison and his status as a former police officer meant he was less likely to reoffend than others.

Sentencing, Judge Stephen Climie said: "This case is not about you but about [the victim] whose life you tore apart in 2022.

"The full manifestation of that process was plain and obvious to this court sitting and watching [her] give evidence before the jury.

"I am satisfied the impact of this offence can properly be described as severe, some might go so far as to say even extreme."

Speaking to the BBC after he was convicted, the victim said Mines had "dehumanised" her.

"He made me feel like I had no rights, he made me feel like he was all-powerful, all he talked about was being a police officer, and he almost made it very clear that he had the power and I had none."

She said she told Mines several times she would not be having sex with him.

"People say, 'Why didn't you fight him off, why didn't you punch him'... but you can't... it's almost a disbelief of what's happening," she said.

"When I left there, I remember driving and just banging the steering wheel and saying 'I said no, I said no' and I knew that I'd said no on numerous occasions."

She said she had suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder since the attack.

"I've had flashbacks, nightmares... absolute panic attacks being outside," she said.

"If somebody comes too close to me, when I hear police sirens, when I see police cars, anyone in a police uniform, it just, it makes me feel sick."

Det Insp Jen Rose, senior investigating officer, said: "Mines took advantage of the victim's trust and committed an horrific crime against her.

"I am pleased that she found the strength to report the offence, in order that we could investigate and work with the CPS to bring him to justice."

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman described Mines's actions as despicable.

"Our thoughts are with the brave victim who came forward to report this crime. She has displayed tremendous courage throughout this investigation and the justice process," he said.

"This was a deeply worrying crime and we recognise the concern it will have caused within our communities.

"We are as committed as ever to reducing sexual violence and predatory behaviour, and to protecting women and girls from harm."

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