Crime Solicitors

A jury at Southwark Crown Court in south London has convicted a 46-year-old Army sergeant of ten sexual assaults, two rapes and one count of assault – and is still deliberating over four counts of sexual assault and one charge involving rape.

BBC News reports that Edwin Mee – originally from Glasgow – worked as an Army recruitment sergeant interviewing prospective recruits at Mitcham Barracks Army Careers and Information Office in Croydon, southeast London.

The court heard that in 2010 and 2011, Mee used his position to “bully and groom” young female cadets aged between 16 and their early 20s.

The jury was told that at first Mee spanked the recruits – and this eventually led to him raping a prospective recruit.

Mee – who is divorced and has five children – used to stay late at the Army recruiting office to interview young female recruits and deliberately targeted them. A recruit said in a statement that at first she saw Mee as a father figure – but he went on to rape her.

The prosecution told the court that Mee had disregarded normal Army recruitment procedures to keep the women to himself and “gauge their vulnerability” – including talking to them about sex and touching them.

“This is a pattern of bullying sexual behaviour that was repeated again and again to the female cadets, to make them feel that he had power over them and control over their future,” the prosecution told the court.

It was also alleged that Mee particularly targeted young black women – possibly because he thought they were more unsure of themselves because of their immigration status, or because he pretended he had power over them.

In one case, he asked a 16-year-old if she had body piercings and then asked to see her stomach when she replied that she had. It is alleged that when she showed the piercing to Mee, he slapped her.

When the teenager complained, it is alleged Mee replied:

“It's you who needs the Army.”

At an earlier court hearing in April, a woman told the court how she became pregnant – and later miscarried – after Mee raped her in a locked room at the recruitment office.

The woman said that when she told Mee she had fallen pregnant as a result, he replied:

“Oh, I did not think you would get pregnant.”

Mee of Tavistock Road in Croydon denies all 21 charges against him.

The jury will continue its deliberations on Wednesday (06/05/15).

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of criminal defence solicitors able to advise at any stage of a charge, including charges relating to sexual offences such as rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, grooming, child sex exploitation, revenge porn – and making, distributing or downloading indecent images.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and a criminal defence solicitor can usually be with a client within an hour to advise on criminal charges at a police station or court.

For expert legal advice on all criminal charges – including sexual offences – call Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors on 020 7923 4020.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Emergency Hotline on 020 7275 2036.