A FORMER police officer from Chudleigh has been jailed for eight years for raping a woman in his home.

Stuart Mines, aged 49, attacked the victim after inviting her over for Sunday lunch in October 2022.

He ignored her repeatedly telling him ‘no’ and raped her in his bedroom.

Mines, of Chudleigh, denied a charge of rape, but was found guilty by a jury following a trial at Exeter Crown Court in February.

He was dismissed from Devon & Cornwall Police following his conviction.

Mines was today [Wednesday 2 April] sentenced to eight years in prison.

He will be on the Sex Offenders Register for life and was also made subject of an order preventing him from contacting the victim.

The offence, which happened while Mines was off-duty, was reported to Devon & Cornwall Police in April 2023 with an investigation immediately launched and Mines arrested and suspended.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Jen Rose, of Devon & Cornwall Police’s Public Protection Unit, said: ‘Mines took advantage of the victim’s trust and committed an horrific crime against her.

‘I am pleased that she found the strength to report the offence, in order that we could investigate and work with the CPS to bring him to justice.

‘I hope today’s sentence goes some way to providing closure for the victim.

‘I would urge anyone who is the victim of a similar crime to talk to us.

‘We will believe to you, we will support you, and we will work together with partners to bring perpetrators to justice.’

An Accelerated Misconduct Hearing chaired by Chief Constable James Vaughan on March 12 found Mines culpable of gross misconduct.

He was dismissed without notice and has been placed on the College of Policing Barred List.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said: ‘Mines has quite rightly been dismissed and jailed for his despicable actions.

‘Our thoughts are with the brave victim who came forward to report this crime.

‘She has displayed tremendous courage throughout this investigation and the justice process.

‘This was a deeply worrying crime and we recognise the concern it will have caused within our communities.

‘We are as committed as ever to reducing sexual violence and predatory behaviour, and to protecting women and girls from harm.

‘We are committed to working with the victim in this case as we continue to strive to improve the service we provide to all survivors of rape and sexual abuse.

‘I hope that seeing Mines jailed, regardless of his position, will remind victims of rape and sexual offences that they can talk to us, that they will be believed and they will be treated with the utmost sensitivity.

‘All officers and staff are expected to abide by the Code of Ethics and ensure the highest standards of behaviour, both on and off duty.

‘Devon & Cornwall Police takes any reports of illegal or inappropriate conduct extremely seriously and we will always take the appropriate action when standards fall below those expected.

‘The public can be assured that the majority of our officers display exemplary behaviour every day and work extremely hard to uphold the integrity of policing.’