Police officer jailed for sexual assault on woman
A Devon & Cornwall police officer has been sentenced to three years imprisonment and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life after being found guilty of sexual assault.
PC Simon Mitchell, 43, of Bideford, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court today, Thursday 31 October.
Mitchell, who had denied the offence, was found guilty by a jury after a nine-day trial in September.
The court heard how in June 2022, Mitchell had been off-duty socialising with colleagues at Devon & Cornwall Police accommodation block when the offence took place.
The incident was reported to police in September 2022 and an investigation was launched. Mitchell was arrested and immediately suspended from duty.
Mitchell denied the charges, claiming a different set of circumstances surrounding the incident, however he was found guilty by a jury with a majority verdict on 12th September 2024.
Today he has been jailed for three years and will become a registered sex offender for life.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said: “The conviction and subsequent sentencing of PC Simon Mitchell for sexual assault follows a full and thorough investigation by the Force.
“We are as committed as ever to rooting out predatory behaviour and protecting women and girls from sexual violence.
“Our thoughts remain with the victim in this case and specialist officers continue to support her. I would like to thank her for giving evidence in court and I hope that this sentence will give her some sense of closure following the ordeal.
“Now that criminal proceedings have completed, Mitchell will now be subject to internal misconduct proceedings. The outcome of which will be published by the Force in due course.”
Support available
If you have been affected by this article there is support available.
You can visit victimcare-dc.org to access support services and information on your rights and how to navigate the criminal justice system.
You can also call Victim Support on 0808 1689 111 or Devon and Cornwall Police’s Victim Care Unit on 01392 475900.
Advice and support can also be found at:
National Rape Crisis Helpline 0808 802 9999
Devon and Cornwall Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) 0300 3034626
For more information please visit: www.dc.police.uk/Rape-SexualAssault
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