Former Metropolitan Police Constable Jailed for 16 Years for Rapes and Abuse
A former Metropolitan Police constable, Jake Cummings, 26, of Stevenage, Hertfordshire, has been sentenced to 16 years in jail after being convicted of rape, coercive and controlling behaviour, voyeurism, and stalking against three women. The sentencing occurred at St Albans Crown Court.
Details of the Crimes and Relationships
Jake Cummings was a special constable in Dorset when he committed the initial assault. He later became a police constable in London when the offenses against the other two women occurred. The court heard that Cummings had separate relationships with each of the women over almost five years. Judge Bilal Siddique characterized his actions as "nothing other than a campaign of abuse."
Sentencing and Judge's Remarks
During sentencing, Judge Bilal Siddique highlighted the aggravating factors, stating, "You abused your position as a police officer to control your victims; this was anything but impulsive behaviour." He added that Cummings disregarded "no" from women and that his offenses were "abundantly obvious" to him, given his profession. The judge deemed Cummings "dangerous" and mandated he serve two-thirds of his sentence before parole eligibility.
Investigation and Arrest
An investigation into Cummings was launched in February 2024 following a report from a victim. A second victim then came forward, and a third was identified through mobile device analysis. Cummings, who previously resided in Hemel Hempstead, was arrested at his mother's residence in Weymouth, Dorset. The investigation was led by Hertfordshire Police.
Victim Impact Statements
The prosecution, led by barrister James Thacker KC, presented harrowing victim impact statements in court. One woman stated, "He always had to know where I was and what I was doing… He was constantly texting… it had a significant psychological effect on me." Another victim revealed, "I lost control of my life… I lost a little bit of me really," and recalled being called a "retard." The third woman expressed her fear: "He made me feel awful every day. I was so terrified no-one would believe me."
Convictions and Police Action
Cummings was initially found guilty of coercive and controlling behavior, voyeurism, and stalking in October 2024. While jurors couldn't initially reach verdicts on the rape allegations, he was later convicted of two rapes in July 2025 after a retrial. The Metropolitan Police dismissed Cummings in October 2024 following a gross misconduct finding.
Defense Arguments
Barrister Campaspe Lloyd-Jacob, representing Cummings, acknowledged his client's difficulty accepting guilt but noted his understanding of his responsibilities. She stated that Cummings would participate in rehabilitative programs in prison, aiming for self-improvement. She also highlighted Cummings' youth and the early suicide of his father.
Statements from Police and Prosecution
A Hertfordshire Police spokesperson highlighted that Cummings had made the three women's lives "an absolute misery with his oppressive behaviour" between July 2019 and February 2024. Neil Vaughan, of the Crown Prosecution Service, asserted that Cummings "thought that he was above the law," but his convictions demonstrated otherwise. He emphasized that the women's collective testimony revealed Cummings' "vile pattern of abuse."
