A former Metropolitan Police officer from Meltham, West Yorkshire, has been convicted of serious sexual offences after abusing his position of trust to exploit a vulnerable woman he met through his duties. Mark Tyrrell, 57, was also convicted of attempting to destroy evidence and had previously admitted misconduct in public office.
A former police officer from West Yorkshire has been convicted of rape and other serious sexual offences after abusing his position of trust to exploit a vulnerable woman he met while carrying out his duties.
Mark Tyrrell, 57, of Meltham, was found guilty following a trial at Southwark Crown Court.
The former Metropolitan Police officer was also convicted of perverting the course of justice after attempting to delete messages exchanged with the victim in an effort to destroy evidence.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said Tyrrell used his professional position to gain the woman's trust before subjecting her to a prolonged campaign of emotional manipulation and sexual abuse.
Officer exploited position of trust
The court heard that Tyrrell first encountered the woman while working as a police officer.
He began developing a relationship with her, initially buying small gifts and visiting her home without colleagues present, contrary to police rules.
After the woman contacted police for assistance, Tyrrell obtained her mobile telephone number and began communicating with her privately using his personal phone.
Prosecutors said he gradually became increasingly controlling, pressuring the woman into unwanted sexual activity.
Tyrrell also told her that their contact needed to remain secret because he could lose his job or face imprisonment if it became known.
Sexual offences began in 2021
The court heard that the first attack occurred in May 2021 after the woman rejected Tyrrell's sexual advances.
Despite her refusal, Tyrrell continued his offending.
Investigators later recovered messages from his phone that he had attempted to delete.
In one message, he apologised for his behaviour and referred to himself as a sex offender.
The woman also kept notes documenting the incidents on her mobile phone.
Those records subsequently became important evidence in the prosecution.
Attempts to interfere with police investigation
In April 2023, the woman recorded Tyrrell attempting to persuade her to give false information to police about the abuse.
This followed an incident in which officers discovered him hiding in her bedroom.
Tyrrell had already pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice in connection with pressuring the woman to lie to investigators.
He also admitted misconduct in public office for engaging in a sexual relationship with a vulnerable woman whom he had encountered through his professional responsibilities.
Former officer retired during investigation
Tyrrell had served with the Metropolitan Police's Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command.
He retired while under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct in 2023.
The CPS said his conduct represented a serious betrayal of the responsibilities and trust associated with policing.
CPS condemns abuse of authority
Dominique Burrell, of the Crown Prosecution Service, described Tyrrell's actions as predatory.
She said:
"Mark Tyrrell’s behaviour was indicative of a predator who was willing to do whatever it took to get what he, and he alone, wanted."
She added:
"As a police officer, his actions fell woefully short of the standards rightly expected of those who serve in the police."
The CPS said Tyrrell deliberately took advantage of a vulnerable woman who should have been able to rely on him for protection.
Victim praised for coming forward
Prosecutors highlighted the importance of the woman's evidence, including her personal records and recordings, in securing the conviction.
Dominique Burrell praised her courage in reporting the offences and helping investigators build their case.
The conviction follows the recovery of electronic evidence and the woman's account of the abuse.
The supplied CPS statement does not confirm a sentencing date or the full breakdown of the sexual offence convictions.
Source: Crown Prosecution Service.
Nearly 200 Businesses Back Proposed West London Orbital Railway
Huddersfield Man Found Guilty of Historic Sexual Offences Against Teenage Girls
Bradford Couple Say Harassment Complaints Are Being Ignored
Accrington Drug Dealer Jailed After Crack Cocaine Found Hidden in Deodorant Can
Tour de France 2027 to Race Through Blackburn and Darwen
Vandals Rip Out Bollards at Popular Halifax Beauty Spot
Bradford Council Proposes £50m Savings to End Reliance on Government Financial Support
Hillingdon Residents Face 70% Parking Charge Increase from April 2027
Milton Keynes Council Cracks Down on Scams, Rogue Traders and Unsafe Businesses
Two Men Jailed for 28 Years Over Deaths of Leeds Mother and Daughter
Police Appeal to Two Women Following Indecent Exposure Report in Slaithwaite
West London Family Home Approved for Turkmenistan Embassy
Remix Saturdays
Bhangra Nights
Legal Show
The Golden Era