Met police officer charged with rape

A trainee Metropolitan Police detective was charged today with raping a woman at police accommodation.

Detective constable Shahzad Malik, 30, is accused of attacking the woman after meeting her on a website.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) launched an inquiry after the 27-year-old woman contacted police in January.

The offences are alleged to have taken place at a police section house in Brentford on January 8, an IPCC spokeswoman said.

Malik, who was based at Hounslow police station, will appear at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with rape and two counts of sexual assault.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the officer is suspended pending the outcome of the prosecution.