A former Metropolitan Police officer has been sentenced to seven years in prison for raping a fellow officer after a New Year’s Eve party in London.Rupert Edwards, 33, was convicted of raping the woman after visiting her at her home in the early hours of January 1, 2018. Southwark Crown Court heard that the attack occurred while both officers were off duty following New Year celebrations.According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the victim was highly intoxicated during the party and had little recollection of the events leading up to the attack. Prosecutors said Edwards redirected a taxi that was booked to take her home and instead drove to the woman’s address, where the rape occurred.The woman later described waking up next to Edwards and discovering that they were both naked. She told the court that she had never consented to sexual activity and was horrified by what happened. Prosecutors said Edwards later sent her a message and asked to meet again for another sexual encounter.In sentencing Edwards, the court also imposed a restraining order, preventing him from contacting the victim or going to places where she might be present.In a statement read out in court, the woman said the rape had left her emotionally broken and the sentence would not erase its lasting impact. She said, “A conviction doesn’t give me closure. I continue to live with the impact of what he did.”The victim reported the attack to police in 2023, prompting an investigation that led to Edwards’ arrest the following year. He was later charged and found guilty of one count of rape after a trial.