Case dropped against officer accused of raping teen

A criminal case against a Sussex Police officer charged with raping a teenage girl has been discontinued, the force says.

PC Thomas Rendell, 23, was due to stand trial in September 2026 charged with raping a girl aged 13-15, attempting to cause a girl aged 13-15 to engage in penetrative sexual activity, engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15 and engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with girl aged 13-15.

Following a review of the evidence, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) concluded there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction, Sussex Police said.

The officer, who was based on the East Sussex division, remains suspended from duty, the force added.

The incidents were alleged to have happened between 1 February and 30 June 2022 when PC Rendell was not a serving Sussex Police officer.

The matter was referred to the Independent Office of Police Conduct which directed that a local investigation by the professional standards department should be conducted.

The force said it would now commence misconduct proceedings against the officer.

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