'Resign and this will go away' rape accused told

A POLICE officer accused of raping vulnerable women was offered a "get-out-of-jail-free card" and told his own force would stop investigating him if he quit, a trial heard.

PC Stephen Mitchell, 43, was told Northumbria Police detectives would "stop digging" if he stepped down, a jury at Newcastle Crown Court was told.

Mitchell, who is said to have attacked a string of women he met while on duty in and around Newcastle, was told he risked jail and being put on the sex offenders register if he refused, the court heard.

The offer meant Mitchell, originally from Glasgow, should "resign and this will go away," his barrister said.

Mitchell, formerly of Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, secretly taped a conversation with senior investigating officer DCI Chris Sharman in which the offer was made, Toby Hedworth QC told the trial yesterday.

DCI Sharman is said to have told Mitchell that if he was charged, he would "probably be front page of the national newspapers and they are horrible".

By not taking up the offer and fighting the claims, Mitchell had shown he was innocent, Mr Hedworth told the jury.

Prosecutors denied the recording was an offer to have the investigation dropped.

Mitchell has denied all the charges against him, which include five counts of rape.

The trial continues.