Ex-Met police officer accused of raping teenage girl found dead

A former Metropolitan Police officer accused of raping a teenage girl more than 13 years ago has died, a court heard.

David Campbell was off-duty at the time of the alleged offence in north London in May 2011. 

The alleged crime was reported to the authorities in 2022 and - Campbell who was part of the Frontline Policing command - was arrested and suspended from duty in February 2023.

The alleged victim was aged between 16 and 17 and the matter was reported to police in 2022.

The cause of the former officer’s premature death was not discussed at Westminster Magistrates Court today.

David Burns, prosecuting, told the court: ‘Mr Campbell has passed away, we are waiting for a death certificate.’

Campbell, 46, who was living in Bedford, was charged with rape and misconduct in a public office.

District Judge Daniel Sternberg has set a hearing for December 30, where a death certificate will be produced.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson, speaking in October, said that the former PC Campbell no longer works for the Met, adding: 'We will not be discussing the circumstances around this at this time to avoid prejudicing criminal proceedings.'

His death comes after a damning report by the police watchdog in August claimed that the Metropolitan Police is failing in almost every area of its work.

His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services said it had 'serious concerns' about how Britain's biggest police force headed by Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley is preventing and reducing crime.

Lee Freeman, HM inspector of constabulary, judged too that the service was not managing the risks posed by registered sex offenders and online abusers 'effectively' - with one high-risk offender not being visited by the police since 2017.

Scotland Yard was also criticised for failing in the support it offers to victims.