The woman withdrew the rape allegation against former PC James Gage who had denied it
A Met Police officer was accused of raping a mentally ill woman who he met when she reported being a victim of a cyberattack, a tribunal has heard. Former Police Constable James Gage added the woman on Instagram after she attended Acton Police Station in October 2020, then went on to enter a consensual sexual relationship with her, flouting rules officers agree to by signing up.
Days after meeting, the woman, who has bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, agreed to go on a weekend away, where Gage introduced her to a friend, who she had sex with. In March 2021, Gage visited her address and had sex with her too – something he admitted to the misconduct panel. But the woman, who was later sectioned, also accused him of raping her – something he denies.
Gage was arrested and interviewed by police on March 28 2021 when he denied the allegations. In August 2021, the woman asked to withdraw the rape allegation.
This was at a time when the woman’s mental health was particularly acute – the tribunal heard she was sectioned on August 15 and August 27. The Crown Prosecution Service did not proceed with charges.
But when it came to the tribunal held this August, disturbing allegations resurfaced as the woman gave her evidence. She accused Gage of trying to flirt with her and pinning her down in a hotel room in October 2020.
Referring to their sexual encounter in March 2021, she said she was too tired and let Gage have sex while she lay there ‘like a dead fish’, which was ‘a little bit rough’.
Gage admitted having consensual sex with the woman about six months after meeting her, but denied knowing that she had mental health issues and denied breaching professional standards. But the panel rejected this, finding: “Former Officer had sexual intercourse with Ms A, who was a vulnerable person, who he had met in the course of his policing duties.”
Deciding on Gage’s punishment, the panel noted: “Former Officer has made no statement of remorse or apology. He has not demonstrated any insight into his behaviour, he has taken no personal responsibility for his conduct, nor has he taken steps to address it such that it would not be repeated.” Accordingly, Gage would have been sacked if he was still serving.
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