Former officer jailed for 16 years for sex offences

Jake Cummings, 26, from Hemel Hempstead, was sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on Tuesday (September 23), following an earlier trial in October 2024, where he was found guilty of three counts of coercive controlling behaviour, two counts of voyeurism and three counts of stalking relating to three women.

At that trial he was found not guilty of one count of voyeurism and a decision was not made on two counts of rape.

Following a subsequent re-trial for the two rape offences in July 2025, Cummings was found guilty of two counts of rape.

He was also given an extended sentence on licence for a further two years, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and barred from working with children.

Sentencing Cummings, His Honour Judge Lieutenant Colonel Bilal Siddique said: “Your relationships with all three women involved extensive coercive manipulating behaviour. You [Cummings] used your position as a police officer to control your victims; this was anything but impulsive behaviour.

“The totality of your offending demonstrates you don’t take no for an answer from women.

“You were a serving police officer. Your offending must have been abundantly obvious to you.”

In summing up, His Honour Siddique also commended all three victims’ courage to come to the trial and give evidence.

He also thanked [investigating force] Hertfordshire Constabulary and victim support services.

Victim impact statements were read out in court demonstrated the pain and suffering that Cummings put his victims through.

One victim said: “It has had a significant psychological toll on me. I struggle to go out alone even now, I have to be on the phone to someone. I can’t walk the dog on my own anymore. I lock the car doors when I am driving.”

Another said: “He [Cummings] made me feel awful on a daily basis. I didn’t have a say in my own life; we did everything he wanted to do. I didn’t get a choice in what we did. I was told what to do constantly.”

A third victim said: “I didn’t feel like I could leave, I felt trapped.

“Every morning, I would dread waking up. I felt helpless as I lost all autonomy and control over my life. He dictated everything for me.”

Detective Inspector Dale Mepstead, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “I am pleased to see that Cummings, a domestic abuse predator has been brought to justice.

“The impact that his offending has had on his victims will live with them forever. I commend all three of them for their courageousness in coming forward and assisting us with our investigation.”

Investigating officer Detective Constable Ellie Cowling, from the Sexual Offences Investigation Team (SOIT), added: “This case has been difficult for the victims who have had to relive the despicable behaviour that Cummings subjected them to. They have shown incredible bravery throughout the trial.

“I hope that this investigation reassures anyone who is a victim of domestic or sexual abuse, that specialist officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary will listen and support you.”