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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Anthony France

Former Met Police firearms officer charged with rape and sex offences

File Image - (PA Archive)

A former Metropolitan Police firearms officer has been charged with rape, multiple sex offences spanning 12 years and is accused of wrapping a woman’s face in clingfilm during “violent” bondage sex.

Ex-Inspector John Doyle, 53, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Doyle, of Liverpool, is accused of five counts of rape, assault by penetration, coercive and controlling behaviour, actual bodily harm and grievous bodily harm with intent.

Scotland Yard said he further faces charges of misconduct in public office and possessing extreme pornography.

The Crown Prosecution Service added the offences are alleged to have taken place between 2012 and 2024, when they were first reported, and relate to one alleged victim.

According to the charges, Doyle is accused of controlling the alleged victim by telling her what to eat, forcing her into cleaning “rituals”, and instructing her to “source class A drugs” for his own sexual pleasure.

He faces claims he posted intimate images on a public forum, as well as causing the woman to withdraw socially after a barrage of criticisms about her appearance and hygiene.

As part of the one of the controlling and coercive charges, Doyle is accused of “serious acts of violence” during the course of BDSM sex, including allegedly kicking the woman and wrapping her face with clingfilm to restrict her breathing.

Two misconduct in public office counts allege sexual activity on police premises, and in one of the allegations he is further accused of “gaining access to a firearm”.

Doyle, previously attached to the Met's Specialist Firearms Command, was initially arrested on June, 24 2024 and immediately suspended from duty.

On December 2024, he was dismissed from the force at a hearing held in private due to the ongoing criminal proceedings.

Catherine Baccas, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor of CPS London South, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to charge John Doyle with controlling or coercive behaviour, several counts of rape, assault by penetration and misconduct in public office.

“This follows allegations made by a woman relating to a period of alleged abuse spanning 12 years.

“Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court and that it is in the public interest to do so.

“We have worked closely with the Metropolitan Police as they have carried out their investigation into the allegations.

“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that proceedings are now active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial.

“It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

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