TWO police officers who are charged with raping a woman in Grays will face trial after pleading not guilty – six years after the alleged incident took place, and four years after they were arrested and charged.

In August Thurrock Nub News reported on a magistrates court appearance by former Essex Police officer Harry Croot, 29, and suspended Metropolitan Police officer Charlie Raeside, 29, both of Witham. Both were charged with rape and released on conditional bail pending a further hearing at Basildon Crown Court.

They were arrested in September 2024 following an investigation led by detectives from Essex Police's Public Protection Investigations Unit into an incident reported to have taken place in Grays in 2022.

The pair have now appeared before a judge when they pleaded not guilty. A trial date has been set – again at Basildon Crown Court on 10 January 2028.

Raeside is charged with rape, intentional suffocation, and failing to disclose a phone PIN code when lawfully required to do so. Croot is charged with rape.

Croot was suspended following his arrest and was dismissed from Essex Police in January 2025 over unrelated misconduct matters. He had a record of poor behaviour within the force and had already been given a 'final chance'.

Raeside was suspended following his arrest.