Former police officer in court charged with raping woman while on duty

A former police officer has appeared in court charged with raping and strangling a woman while on duty.

Rikki Hall, 33, from Swansea and who worked as a constable for South Wales Police, attended Bristol Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

He was charged with two counts of rape and one of the intentional strangulation of a woman, causing her to have difficulty breathing in February 2024.

No formal pleas were entered during the hearing.

He also faces two charges of misconduct in public office, including one that alleged he engaged in sexual activity with a member of the public he had met while carrying out welfare and safeguarding checks.

Hall was also accused of arranging appointments with sex workers while on duty.

The sixth charge of possessing a firearm relates to him allegedly having Pava spray, similar to pepper spray, in his possession without permission, the court heard.

The charges follow an investigation by the police watchdog the IOPC who said Hall had resigned from the force during their investigation.

District Judge Lynne Matthews said the case would be sent to the Crown Court due to the seriousness of the alleged offences.

Hall was released on conditional bail and will appear again at Bristol Crown Court on 28 September.