Former Cumbria Police Officer Appears In Court Facing Rape And Strangulation Charges
A former Cumbria Police officer has appeared in court facing four serious charges relating to alleged sexual offences against two women, including rape, sexual assault and intentional strangulation.
Matthew Stewart, aged 31, previously worked for Cumbria Police in several roles during a period spanning almost a decade. His service included positions as a special constable, police community support officer and police constable before he left the force in 2024.
Stewart, who is from Harrison Street in Carlisle, appeared before Carlisle Magistrates’ Court as part of an investigation into allegations which are said to have taken place while he was employed by the force. Some of the alleged incidents are also said to have occurred while he was off duty.
The prosecution relates to an investigation which began in April 2025. Police enquiries have subsequently resulted in four charges being brought against Stewart, with the allegations concerning two women.
One of the charges alleges that Stewart raped a woman. The allegation relates to an incident said to have occurred during the period covered by the investigation, and the charge will now proceed through the criminal justice process.
A second charge alleges that Stewart sexually assaulted another woman. The prosecution therefore concerns allegations involving two separate complainants, with the charges relating to conduct that is alleged to have taken place while Stewart was associated with Cumbria Police.
The remaining two charges allege intentional strangulation. These charges form part of the same prosecution and concern allegations that have been investigated by police following the commencement of the wider investigation.
Stewart attended the hearing at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court to face the four allegations. The proceedings dealt with the charges and the next stage of the case rather than determining whether the allegations were proved.
No pleas were entered during the hearing, although Stewart indicated that he would plead not guilty at a later stage. The case was subsequently sent to Carlisle Crown Court for further proceedings. Stewart is due to appear at Carlisle Crown Court on September 21 for a plea and trial preparation hearing. The hearing will provide the next stage in the court process as arrangements are made for the case to proceed.
The former officer was granted bail subject to conditions. These include restrictions preventing him from having contact with the complainants involved in the case while the proceedings continue.
Stewart's previous employment with Cumbria Police forms part of the background to the prosecution, although the allegations concern his alleged conduct and are not allegations against the force itself. He left policing in 2024, before the current court proceedings began.
The charges remain allegations at this stage and Stewart has not been convicted of any offence. The case will now continue through the Crown Court, where the evidence and allegations will be considered as part of the criminal proceedings.
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