Rapist British cop sentenced to life in jail

LONDON - A British policeman was sentenced to a life term in prison after a court found him guilty of raping women in custody.

Police constable Stephen Mitchell, 42, originally from Glasgow, raped and sexually abused heroin addicts, shoplifters and a disabled teenager by offering them help while in custody, then demanding sexual favours afterwards, The Independent reported.

Mitchell was posted at the Pilgrim Street police station in Newcastle.

He was given two life sentences by the Newcastle Crown Court and told he would not be eligible for parole for at least seven and a half years.

During his five-week trial, Mitchell claimed he was the victim of a conspiracy hatched by the criminal underworld, and labelled his accusers liars.

But the jury convicted him of raping two women and carrying out three indecent assaults.