Ex-Met Police Officer Accused of Rape, Perverting Justice

A former Metropolitan Police officer is on trial accused of raping and sexually assaulting a woman over a period of about two years, a court has been told.

Mark Tyrrell, of Meltham, West Yorkshire, has pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office and a separate charge of perverting the course of justice, admitting to persuading the woman to lie to police about why he was in her bedroom. The prosecution alleges Tyrrell raped the woman by having sex with her after she had repeatedly said no.

Jurors heard that the woman kept a list of incidents involving Tyrrell, including the alleged sexual assaults. In a police interview, she stated she felt pressured by him and feared no one would believe her because she could not prove what had happened. She was also concerned that police might protect him due to his position as an officer.

The court was informed that on several occasions, the woman woke to find Tyrrell penetrating her despite having refused sex the night before. On one instance, when she questioned him about it, he shouted at her and asked if she understood the potential consequences for him, the prosecutor stated.

After his arrest, Tyrrell denied ever having sex with the woman. The prosecution presented evidence of messages between them, including one where Tyrrell allegedly apologized for "being a sex offender" and for ruining her life. When the woman asked him not to say such things, he reportedly replied that they were true.

He is also accused of perverting the course of justice by attempting to delete messages between them. The trial is ongoing.