Jake Cummings, a former Metropolitan Police officer from Hertfordshire, was sentenced on September 23, 2025, to 16 years in prison with a two-year extension on licence, following convictions for a chilling campaign of abuse against three women. The verdict, delivered at St Albans Crown Court, capped off a complex and harrowing legal case that has gripped the public and shone a harsh spotlight on abuse of power within the police force.
Cummings, 26, originally from Hemel Hempstead and later Stevenage, was found guilty of two counts of rape, three counts of coercive and controlling behaviour, two counts of voyeurism, and three counts of stalking. The offences spanned nearly five years, from July 2019 to February 2024, and occurred while Cummings held positions as a special constable in Dorset and later as a full-fledged police officer in London, according to BBC and other major news outlets.
The investigation began in February 2024, when a woman came forward to Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Sexual Offences Investigation Team with allegations of abuse. Media coverage of the case prompted a second victim to contact authorities later that month, and a third was identified in April 2024 through analysis of Cummings’ mobile phone. All three women had been in separate relationships with Cummings, and none knew each other—yet their testimonies painted a disturbingly consistent picture of harassment, control, and psychological torment.
Throughout the proceedings, Judge Bilal Siddique did not mince words. He described Cummings’ actions as “nothing other than a campaign of abuse” and noted that “there are a number of significant aggravating features.” The judge emphasized that Cummings “abused your position as a police officer to control your victims; this was anything but impulsive behaviour.” He further commented, “the totality of your offending demonstrates you don’t take no for an answer from women. You were a serving police officer. Your offending must have been abundantly obvious to you.”
During the sentencing, Judge Siddique declared Cummings “dangerous” and a continuing risk, ordering that he serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before parole could be considered. The judge highlighted the “strikingly similar pattern of abuse” against his victims, describing how Cummings bombarded them with messages, isolated them from friends and family, and subjected them to degradation and humiliation, especially those he raped.
Evidence presented in court revealed that Cummings used tracking apps such as Life360 and Team Viewer to monitor the whereabouts of at least one victim. He created multiple social media accounts to message her, drove to her residence uninvited, and even used security cameras to watch her. The volume of contact was staggering—just over 5,000 messages were exchanged with one complainant in a single month, most of them initiated by Cummings. According to the prosecution, much of this contact occurred while Cummings was on duty as a police officer.
The emotional and psychological toll on the victims was profound. In statements read by prosecution barrister James Thacker KC, one woman said, “He always had to know where I was and what I was doing. He was constantly texting. I was depressed for a long time over what he did to me… it had a significant psychological effect on me. He clearly does not feel that he did anything wrong. That is terrifying.”
Another victim shared, “I lost control of my life. I lost a little bit of me really. My dad was in tears a lot.” She also recounted being called a “retard” by Cummings, and described a lasting sense of confusion and self-doubt: “The way that Jake would gaslight me… often left me confused and doubting myself. I lost a significant amount of confidence in myself and within social situations.”
The third victim said, “He made me feel awful every day. I was so terrified no-one would believe me. I was so worried he would walk away [free].” She described living in constant fear, unable to let her guard down, and suffering from worsening depression and a perpetual ‘fight or flight mode’.
Detective Inspector Dale Mepstead, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, praised the courage of the victims: “The emotional impact of Cummings’ offending will live with his victims for many years, but it is through their brave testimony that he has finally been brought to justice. My team has worked tirelessly to investigate these crimes and give Cummings’ victims the justice they deserve. I commend all three victims for their bravery and courage in coming forward and assisting us with our enquiries. I hope that the knowledge that he is facing a considerable time behind bars provides a sense of relief and I hope they can begin to move on with their lives.”
Neil Vaughan, of the Crown Prosecution Service, echoed these sentiments, stating, “Jake Cummings thought that he was above the law, but his convictions prove otherwise. These women did not know one another, but together they painted a compelling picture which laid bare the vile pattern of abuse inflicted by Cummings.”
Cummings’ defense, led by barrister Campaspe Lloyd-Jacob, argued that he was young at the time of the offences and pointed to his father’s suicide as a formative trauma. She said, “It has been hard for him to accept his guilt but he does appreciate his responsibilities,” and assured the court that Cummings was committed to engaging with rehabilitation programs in prison. She also noted, “individuals are not fully neurologically developed prior to the age of 25.”
However, the court was unmoved by these arguments, especially given the calculated, persistent nature of the abuse. Prosecutor Tom Little KC described Cummings’ behavior as “extensive controlling, coercive and manipulative,” adding that he “thought he was above the law.”
The case’s complexity led to its transfer from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Sexual Offences Investigation Team to the Major Crime Unit. Cummings was arrested at his mother’s home in Weymouth, Dorset, and dismissed from the Metropolitan Police in October 2024 for gross misconduct.
All three victims were between 19 and 24 years old during their relationships with Cummings, coming from Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Dorset. The abuse continued for some even after their relationships ended, with Cummings’ oppressive behavior leaving deep psychological scars.
Support services for victims of crime in Hertfordshire are available through Beacon, the county’s Victim Care Centre, and for those affected by sexual abuse or violence, the Herts Sexual Assault Referral Centre offers resources and counseling.
The case of Jake Cummings stands as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked authority and the devastating impact of coercive control. The bravery of the victims, and the tireless work of investigators and prosecutors, have ensured that justice was done—and that the voices of those harmed were finally heard.
