A serving Metropolitan Police officer has appeared in court charged with rape and stalking.

Pc Jake Cummings, 23, from Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire, appeared at Hatfield Magistrates’ Court on Friday, police said.

Cummings is accused of rape, two counts of stalking, two counts of controlling and coercive behaviour, and possession of an offensive weapon.

The alleged offences, which occurred while he was off duty, relate to one female victim in Hertfordshire.

Hertfordshire Police are leading the investigation.

Cummings has been suspended from his job in the Met’s Central West Command.

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Both Hertfordshire Police and the Met revealed details of the case on Monday, after Cummings appeared in court on Friday.

He is next due to appear in court in March.

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