Off-duty Met Police officer 'showed his warrant card to stranger before raping her'

An off-duty Metropolitan Police officer showed his warrant card to a stranger before raping her at the side of a road, a court has heard.

Special Constable Paul Hoile “kept his thumb over where his name was” as he flashed his police identification during a bogus grilling about the woman's driving licence in July, prosecutors allege.

The 40-year-old officer is accused of carrying out the late-night attack when he was drunk during a trip he had made to Shropshire. He denies the charges.

Caroline Goodwin KC, prosecuting, told a jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Wednesday that Mr Hoile and his friend made an “inappropriate” approach to the woman.

At the time, the woman had been preparing to drive away, but Mr Hoile began “hiding behind” his police powers, the court heard.

'He was acting as if he was in charge'

She said: “In drink, he was acting as if he was in charge, like a police officer… questioning her about her (driving) licence.

“She asked for his warrant card and he produced it – he kept his thumb over where his name was.”

The alleged victim, by now confused, began Googling the powers of a Special Constable and other information given to her by Mr Hoile, and he then asked for her name, which she confirmed.

At the time of the alleged offences, Mr Hoile was a serving Special Constable with the Met but was not on duty, the court heard.

Mr Hoile snatched the woman’s phone at one point during their conversation, but she eventually tried to walk away after booking a taxi, instead of driving, the court heard.

Ms Goodwin said: “He followed her on the road. He was drunk and you will hear her say she thought he was capable of anything.”

Mr Hoile is alleged to have said that the complainant would be in “more trouble” if she hit him, before she “did what he wanted” despite being sick.

Victim left 'emotionally distraught'

The prosecutor said of the alleged victim, who cannot be identified: “She was left confused, upset… emotionally distraught.

“But in those moments after, when she thought about what had occurred, she had sufficient about her that, in spite of the deeply personal nature of these assaults, she made an immediate complaint.”

Mr Hoile claims consensual activity took place “without fuss”.

Jurors were told that Hoile was interviewed after his arrest and told officers he had consumed numerous drinks, including around five double vodkas.

According to his account, Hoile had engaged the woman in “general chit chat about sex” before she performed oral sex on him.

Mr Hoile, of The Chase, Benfleet, Essex, denies misconduct in public office, three counts of rape, and a charge of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.

The trial, which is expected to last around a week, continues.