Rape-accused Met Police officer says he treated woman well

A serving Metropolitan Police officer accused of raping two women in 11 days has told a court he was "shocked and surprised" when he was arrested.

Rupert Edwards, 30, is alleged to have raped one woman in Epsom, Surrey, and the other in Lambeth, south London.

Mr Edwards, from Ashtead, Surrey, met both women during nights out in bars in August and September 2022.

He told Inner London Crown Court he treated the women well and denied attacking them.

In a prepared statement given to police, Mr Edwards, who is suspended from duty, claimed all sexual activity with the first claimant was consensual and at no point did she indicate that she was not consenting, the jury was previously told.

The woman alleges she and Mr Edwards had consensual sex a number of times, but she had told him she did not want a further encounter. She said he carried on despite her saying no.

Prosecution barrister Robert Brown put to him: "You prioritised your own sexual gratification over her wishes didn't you?" Edwards replied: "No".

The second complainant said she told Mr Edwards she did not want to have intercourse without contraception.

Mr Brown said the woman recalls engaging in consensual sexual activities with him but "told him from the outset there could be no intercourse" because they did not have any condoms.

The woman said Mr Edwards agreed to this but she was later awoken when he raped her, jurors heard.

When pressed by Mr Brown, Mr Edwards said: "At no point was she asleep [during sex]."

Asked by Mr Brown if he had "treated her well and sensitively", Edwards replied: "Yes".

The trial continues.