A Metropolitan Police officer from Hemel Hempstead is appearing in St Albans Crown Court this week where he has pleaded not guilty to nine charges – including three counts of controlling or coercive behaviour, three counts of voyeurism, two counts of rape, and one count of stalking.
PC Jake Cummings, 25, has previously admitted to two counts of stalking relating to different women.
Prosecutor Tom Little KC was heard telling the jury: “We say that it [the case] involves extensive controlling, coercive, and manipulative behaviour and sexual violence committed during the course of three relationships by a man who thought he was above the law.
“That is despite the fact that he was, in fact, a police officer for much of the time you are considering.”
The jury was also told that PC Cummings served as a special constable, which is a volunteer role, for Dorset Police in April 2018 before joining the Metropolitan Police as a regular officer in November 2019.
The alleged offending began in 2019. Mr Little said the evidence he will bring forward to the jury during the trial will include WhatsApp messages, text messages and social media. It is alleged the defendant created new accounts and profiles using false names to continue pursuing his victims.
The alleged victims are in their 20s, and the jury heard that the defendant met one of them when she spent time at the Met because she was interested in becoming a police officer.
The victim told police that PC Cummings began isolating her from her friends, would ask if she slept with any man she spoke to, and once tripped her up deliberately and proceeded to laugh when she fell.
Jurors heard that the victim felt she had lost control of her life.
In a message shared with the jury, PC Cummings had allegedly sent a message to a victim which read: “I will kill you with spam, but I love you.”
During their relationship, the couple had access to each other’s Facebook accounts and mobile phone passcodes. They also both had access to a tracking app that lets the user share their location with others.
The court was also told that PC Cummings had photographs where the alleged victim was semi-clothed, which the victim told the court they had not consented to.
PC Cummings is currently suspended from duty from Metropolitan Police.
The trial is ongoing.
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