A Metropolitan Police officer has been jailed for nine years following the “despicable” rape of a teenage girl.

Adam Provan, 39, of Kirtling, near Newmarket, was found guilty of two charges of rape after a nine-day trial at Wood Green Crown Court and was sentenced today.

The court heard how Provan and the victim – aged 16 at the time – had exchanged messages and photos before deciding to go on a date.

He told her he was a police officer and that he was 22, when in fact he was aged 31 at the time.

On their first date in late August 2010, Provan took the girl to some woods where he raped her.

He then took her to a fast food restaurant in Harold Hill where he looked up films on his mobile phone, encouraging her to lie to her father and tell him that they had been to the cinema.

Provan then took the girl for a walk in Central Park, Harold Hill, London, and forced her to commit a sex act. The victim told the court she had said “no” several times and it would have been absolutely clear that she was not consenting.

Provan was arrested on June 1, 2016, and was charged on September 26, last year.

He admitted he had been on the date but denied anything sexual had happened.

DS Sian Thomas, of the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command (CASO), said: “PC Provan abused his position to win the trust of his victim and deliberately deceived her, she felt reassured he was a police officer and had no idea of the large age gap between them.

“This assault was brazen and calculated, with clear indication he had planned it beforehand.

“The victim has been incredibly brave in giving evidence in court and I commend her courage in reliving what happened to her in court.

“I would like to praise the efforts of the investigators involved whose dedication and thorough work has helped secure this conviction, and the sentence reflects the severity of his offending.

“The Metropolitan Police Service expects its officers to uphold the highest standards of behaviour both whilst on and off-duty. PC Provan has been suspended from duties, and will now face misconduct proceedings.”

An NSPCC spokesman said: “As a police officer Provan’s duty was to uphold the law. Instead he used his position as leverage to gain the trust of his young victim before subjecting her to two terrifying attacks.

“Had it not been for the victim’s bravery in speaking out about her ordeal Provan may well have gotten away with his despicable crimes.

“We hope this case gives other sexual abuse victims the courage to report their experiences and serves as proof that they will be listened to and their allegations investigated, no matter who the perpetrator is.”