Sutton rape case is to be reopened

Michelle Noble who is fighting for justice after allegdely being raped by a police officer as a child.

Michelle Noble bravely waived her legal right to anonymity in December in order to talk openly about the events that she says happened when she was just 14 years old.

In an emotional interview, Michelle (47) told Chad how the Nottinghamshire police officer allegedly attacked her in her own bedroom after he had driven her back to her family’s Sutton home.

Despite reporting the offence at the time, no criminal prosecution was brought against the officer but he was forced to resign following a disciplinary hearing.

Michelle has now been informed that there is to be a new police investigation into the alleged rape and she hopes it is the first step towards her getting justice.

She said: “When I was told, I was elated.

“I was happy, then the reality started to sink in because of the way I have been treated by the police before and my experience of how it was dealt with before.”

The horrific events that Michelle endured were the start of a downward spiral that led her into drug abuse and depression - problems that she has had to work through with rehab and counselling.

Last year she contacted Nottinghamshire Police in a bid to get the case reopened but was then told this would not be possible.

After seeking help from Ashfield MP Gloria De Piero and speaking to the Chad and national newspapers about her experience, the police and Crown Prosecution Service have now agreed to reinvestigate her allegations.

Michelle said that though it is obviously a positive step, there is still a long way to go.

“I am frightened of saying that something might come of this and setting myself up,” she said.

“I am so grateful for all the newspaper coverage; I feel like it’s highlighted things and put pressure on, saying that I am not going to take no for an answer.”

Michelle is now set to be reinterviewed by police and was told officers will examine the evidence as if it was a fresh case.

A Nottinghamshire Police spokesman said: “The force is to reinvestigate a historic report of a sex offence where it is alleged a former police officer raped a 14-year-old girl in 1980. Officers will now be looking to arrange to speak to the victim and identify any other lines of enquiry.”