Emotional scenes in court as police officer cleared of raping woman

There were emotional scenes in court as a young police officer was cleared of raping a woman after a night out.

It took jurors less than an hour to acquit PC Callum Utley, 25, of Church Road, Penn, on one count of rape.

The defendant appeared at Amersham Law Courts wearing a suit and tie.

He wept as the verdict was read out, and was seen embracing his family after being released from the dock.

A woman accused PC Utley of performing a non-consensual act on her during sex at his home address.

The incident was alleged to have occurred on an unspecified date between July 2019 and December 2019 - but was reported to police years later.

PC Utley's acquittal came after a week-long trial.

Following the jury's verdict, Recorder Anthony Hawks thanked them for their service.

He said: "The system of justice cannot work in this country unless people like yourselves give up your time and come here to perform an absolutely vital public duty.

"It's a good system, and we've very proud of it in this country.

"It has to be done, and we're extremely grateful to you all."

PC Utley is a Metropolitan Police officer, attached to the force's West Area Command Unit.

He previously served in the British Army, and witnesses - including a military chaplain - were called by the defence to testify to his good character.