A former Metropolitan Police officer Paedophile, Adam Provan, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for a string of rapes committed over eight years, during which he exploited his position to target women and girls.
The predatory conduct of former Police Constable Adam Provan originated in the 1990s and remained unaddressed until one of his victims reported it, as presented in Wood Green Crown Court.
From 2003 to 2005, he regularly raped a female police officer and instilled panic in her, causing her to fear for her life, as presented in court.
Prosecutors stated that Adam Provan exhibited an obsession with young women, had accessed underage pornography, and amassed over 700 female connections on his mobile device.
In 2005, another female officer reported that Adam Provan sent her “nuisance” messages, although no action was taken, and the matter was addressed “informally,” as stated in court.
He purportedly reached out to a 16-year-old girl after she provided her information as a witness in 2003.
Two further women lodged complaints; however, a rape case was not pursued, and a sexual assault case concluded with an acquittal.
In 2016, Lauren Taylor said that Adam Provan raped her during a blind date when she was 16 in 2010.
Ms. Taylor, now 29, consented to accompany Adam Provan to the theatre after he deceived her regarding his age, claiming to be 22, and asserted that he was a police officer.
Adam Provan, then 31, instead led her to the woods, where he engaged in sexual intercourse with her despite her repeated refusals.
In an interview with the PA news agency, after relinquishing her right to anonymity, she stated: “Essentially, he raped me.” I recall grasping the tree. I was embracing the tree for emotional support, imagining I was anywhere else in the world but that location. I recall that it could not have been lengthy, yet it seemed protracted.
Subsequently, he behaved as though nothing had transpired and escorted Ms. Taylor to a McDonald’s for a milkshake before coercing her into performing a sexual act in a children’s playground.
Ms. Taylor stated, “I recall observing a distant crowd of individuals.” I was merely hoping that someone would see me, someone would recognise the situation at hand.
Adam Provan even deliberated on which films he may assert they attended prior to escorting her home.
In sentencing him, Judge Noel Lucas KC remarked that the most “troubling” component was his status as a police officer, a role in which the public expects the highest level of integrity.
He informed Adam Provan: “Your actions have brought disrepute to the police force,” further asserting that he exhibited a “callous sense of entitlement to sex” and subsequently acted as though everything was “entirely normal.”
The judge expressed concern with the Metropolitan Police’s management of the female officer’s initial accusations about Adam Provan’s conduct in 2005.
He stated that those who interacted with them at the Met “prioritized protecting one of their own over addressing her concerns,” and had an investigation been initiated, the 16-year-old victim would have been saved.
The judge commended both victims, stating they had exhibited “extraordinary courage” in delivering their impact statements in court.
All offences occurred while Adam Provan was an active officer in the Metropolitan Police’s East Area Command Unit.
The police stated they are attempting to ascertain whether further victims exist and “urge anyone with information to step forward.”
A spokeswoman stated: “We are also examining Adam Provan’s complete history within the Metropolitan Police, as well as prior to his employment, to ascertain any issues and determine if earlier action could have been taken against him.”
His initial prosecution for double rape resulted in a hung jury; nevertheless, he was subsequently convicted in 2018 and sentenced to nine years in prison. Subsequently, he was terminated from the Metropolitan Police the following year.
He served three years and three months in prison before being released on bail following the Court of Appeal’s order for a retrial.
During the new trial, Ms. Taylor testified for a third time, and six additional charges of rape, pertaining to Adam Provan’s prior assaults on the female officer, were introduced.
In June, Adam Provan, aged 44 and residing in Newmarket, Suffolk, was convicted of eight counts of rape involving two women.
In her victim impact statement, Ms. Taylor remarked, “No degree of justice will erase the memory of that horrific date.”
“Despite my efforts to suppress it, I will eternally remember the fear I experienced during the assault, and 13 years later, I am reliving my most harrowing nightmare.”
She recounted feeling “triggered” by conversations on the death of Sarah Everard by a Metropolitan police officer, stating that she was previously aware of “corrupt officers”.
The second victim, who has not relinquished her permanent right to anonymity, said the court that Adam Provan perceived himself as “untouchable” and boasted of being a “trained killer”.
She informed the court that she feared for her life and alleged that the Metropolitan Police failed to safeguard her and address his conduct following her complaints of surveillance and harassment in 2005.
The court was informed that Adam Provan received warnings, but the victim declined to provide a statement at that time and subsequently reported the rapes in 2019.
Judge Lucas characterised the treatment she experienced from the Met as “abysmal,” stating, “I hope it never occurs again.” It is not merely awful; it is astonishing.
Adam Provan was sentenced to 16 years of imprisonment, with an additional eight years on extended licence, at Wood Green Crown Court on Tuesday.
During her interview, Ms. Taylor stated to PA, “I do not perceive my actions as remarkable.” I believe I have fulfilled my personal obligations.
Regarding Adam Provan, she stated: “I am incensed by his actions towards me.” I am displeased with his former identity. He was a police officer, and we rely on them for protection, yet I was not safeguarded.
I am frustrated by his apparent lack of guilt during this entire process.
I have attended court on three occasions. He continues to completely deny his actions, and despite spending several years in prison, he has not had the opportunity to reflect or change; he remains unchanged.
“I conducted the final retrial to ensure he would not pose a threat to others.”
She advised others: “Never feel shame for your experiences, as they are not your fault.”
When you are prepared, consult with an individual. It need not be a police officer; it may be a family member, a friend, or a hotline.
Ms. Taylor stated, “One cannot proceed until one is prepared to confront it.” You may never be prepared to confront it. That is OK as well.
“I could not find peace until I had come forward and addressed the matter.”
Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe of the Metropolitan Police stated, “I am confident the public will be as appalled and disgusted by Adam Provan’s offences as we are within the Met.” He exploited his authority as a police officer to gain the trust of both women. His behaviours are completely reprehensible.
“Both women have exhibited remarkable strength and bravery in providing testimony to the court—remarkably three times for one of them—and ensuring that Adam Provan is now incarcerated.” I deeply regret the anguish and distress he has inflicted upon them.
The court was informed that Provan had numerous women’s names stored on his phone; detectives are examining this list to ascertain potential connections to Provan and to determine if there are further undisclosed charges. We are eager to receive information from everybody, regardless of its magnitude. Adam Provan is a perilous offender, and we are exploring all avenues of investigation.
“We are scrutinising Adam Provan’s criminal and conduct history within the Metropolitan Police to ascertain whether we could have intervened earlier to present him before the courts or prevented his recruitment into the police force.”
This endeavour is in progress; yet, it is evident that there were pivotal instances where we failed to adequately support women. We have informed the Independent Office for Police Conduct that we are conducting a review and have indicated them that we will make suitable referrals.
Evidence indicated that when a victim, an active Metropolitan officer, reported claims against Adam Provan in 2005, they were not regarded with the seriousness they warranted. Consequently, she lacked the confidence to disclose that she had been raped by him.
We very regret that this was her experience and that she was disappointed by a system in which she had placed her trust and was serving.
The Met is undergoing transformation, and I am optimistic that her concerns will not be disregarded today. Although we acknowledge the significant effect of such situations on the trust and confidence of women and girls that we want to cultivate, we urge anyone in a comparable position to report allegations. Over the past year, we have expanded our professional standards teams to enhance our capacity for promptly examining issues, thereby eliminating individuals who evidently should not be involved in policing from the Met.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.