Former police officer charged with raping woman before joining the Met released on bail

A former Metropolitan Police officer appeared in court accused of raping a woman five times before taking up his post.

Jade Ebanks, 29, was suspended from police duty following his arrest on May 5 last year.

The former police officer, who joined the Met in June 2021, resigned a week before his indictment on April 28 this year.

Ebanks, with a goatee and hair tied in a topknot, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday wearing a dark suit, white shirt and dark tie.

He stood in the dock to confirm his name, date of birth and address in Kilburn, north-west London.

Ebanks is accused of raping the same woman five times. Her name cannot be used because she is believed to be a victim of sexual assault.

He is said to have carried out the alleged attacks between March 2018 and January 2020 in Greenford and Uxbridge in west London, the indictment says.

Ebanks was not asked to answer any of the charges, which can only be heard in the Crown Court.

District Judge Briony Clarke granted Ebanks, who was stationed at the police’s North West Basic Command Unit, bail on condition that he have no contact with the complainant.

She told the former officer that he would have to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on June 28 for a plea hearing and trial preparation.