A serial rapist who served as a police officer in Hounslow has been jailed.

Michael Graham, 49, was handed a 16 year prison sentence on Friday (June 17) at the Old Bailey, following his conviction of seven counts of rape and one sexual assault.

During the trial, the court heard audio recordings of some of the offences which had been captured on a sleep app on the victim’s iPhone which included screams of ‘No’ and ‘don’t hurt me’ to which Graham is heard replying ‘I like hurting you’ and making threats to kill.

The string of violent sex attacks took place between December 23 2013 and September 2 2014, at a houseboat in Uxbridge , whilst the officer was off-duty.

Metropolitan Police chiefs have commended the bravery of the female victim who reported the horrific attacks, along with providing evidence that secured a lengthy jail time.

Detective Constable Stephen Kelly, of the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: “I would like to praise the victim for her bravery in coming forward and reporting her ordeal at the hands of Graham to the police.

“Without her evidence, the offences Graham committed could not have been investigated and he would not be facing a lengthy prison sentence.”

Investigation launched after distressed victim found in park

Police were called to an address in Uxbridge on September 2 2014, where Graham was originally arrested for common assault and threats to kill.

The victim, a woman in her 30s, was found by officers in a distressed state in a nearby park and made a number of allegations of rape.

As a result Graham was further arrested, and subsequently suspended from duty.

An investigation was launched by detectives from the Met’s Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command.

Graham was interviewed on September 3 2014, and again on October 6 and 7, 2015, where he declined to answer any questions but gave a pre-prepared statement denying all the allegations.

He was charged with seven accounts of rape and one account of assault and appeared on bail at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on October 21, 2015.

He denied all charges at his next appearance at Isleworth Crown Court on November 18, 2015, where he was bailed to return for trial on June 6, 2016 at the Old Bailey.

Graham was convicted on all counts on Thursday (June 16).

'Abuse of trust'

Chief Superintendent Matt Gardner, of the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards, said: “Michael Graham targeted a vulnerable woman, and attempted to use his position as a police officer to scare her into keeping quiet about his criminal behaviour.

"The public should be reassured that no police officer can hide behind their occupation as a way to break the law and get away with it.

“Police officers join the Met to protect and serve Londoners, and it is clear from the jury’s verdict that his behaviour fell well short of the high standards that we expect of all our staff.

"This criminal abused the trust that being a part of the Metropolitan Police is all about.”

The Met will now conduct an immediate misconduct review.