A former Metropolitan Police officer has been sentenced

Dear Resident

A former Metropolitan Police officer has been sentenced to 16 years in prison today (Tuesday 23 September).

Jake Cummings, aged 26, from Hemel Hempstead, was sentenced at #StAlbans Crown Court, following an earlier trial in October 2024, where he was found guilty of three counts of coercive controlling behaviour, two counts of voyeurism and three counts of stalking. At that trial he was found not guilty of one count of voyeurism and a decision was not made on two counts of rape.

Following a subsequent re-trial for the two rape offences in July 2025, Cummings was found guilty of two counts of rape.

Today he was sentenced to 16 years running concurrently, he was also given an extended sentence on licence for a further two years. He was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and barred from working with children.

Sentencing Cummings, His Honour Judge Lieutenant Colonel Bilal Siddique said: “Your relationships with all three women involved extensive coercive manipulating behaviour. You (Cummings) used your position as a police officer to control your victims; this was anything but impulsive behaviour.

“The totality of your offending demonstrates you don’t take no for an answer from women”, he continued.

“You were a serving police officer. Your offending must have been abundantly obvious to you”, His Honour concluded.

In summing up, His Honour Siddique also commended all three victims’ courage to come to the trial and give evidence.

He thanked Hertfordshire Constabulary and victim support services.

Victim impact statements were read out in court demonstrated the pain and suffering that Cummings put his victims through.

One victim said: “It has had a significant psychological toll on me. I struggle to go out alone even now, I have to be on the phone to someone. I can’t walk the dog on my own anymore. I lock the car doors when I am driving.”

Another said: “He (Cummings)made me feel awful on a daily basis. I didn’t have a say in my own life; we did everything he wanted to do. I didn’t get a choice in what we did. I was told what to do constantly.”

A third victim said: “I didn’t feel like I could leave, I felt trapped.

“Every morning, I would dread waking up. I felt helpless as I lost all autonomy and control over my life. He dictated everything for me.”

Detective Inspector Dale Mepstead, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “I am pleased to see that Cummings, a domestic abuse predator has been brought to justice.

“The impact that his offending has had on his victims will live with them forever. I commend all three of them for their courageousness in coming forward and assisting us with our investigation.”

Investigating officer Detective Constable Ellie Cowling, from the Sexual Offences Investigation Team (SOIT), said: “This case has been difficult for the victims who have had to relive the despicable behaviour that Cummings subjected them to. They have shown incredible bravery throughout the trial.

“I hope that this investigation reassures anyone who is a victim of domestic or sexual abuse, that specialist officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary will listen and support you.”

Find out how to report abuse to Hertfordshire Constabulary at https://orlo.uk/2xaRG

You can also visit the Herts Sunflower website at https://orlo.uk/H78Tm

Hertfordshire has a range of support available. Beacon is Hertfordshire’s Victim Care Centre and is staffed by professionals from both Hertfordshire Constabulary and Catch 22, an independent organisation commissioned to support victims of crime in Hertfordshire.

For more information on how to contact Beacon in the strictest confidence, visit https://hertfordshirebeacon.org/.

Anyone in Hertfordshire who has experienced sexual abuse or sexual violence can contact Herts Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) for practical and emotional support. The centre can arrange face-to-face support, sexual health referrals, and provide forensic medical examinations for those who want them.

To contact Herts SARC, call 0330 223 0099 or visit www.hertssarc.org.