A former Surrey Police officer who raped a woman while he was serving on the force has been jailed.

Derek Seekings, 66, was found guilty of two counts of rape between 1994 and 2000 and sent to prison yesterday (January 13) for 11 years.

One of the rapes took place during his meal break while he was on duty, the other taking place off duty.

Seekings retired from Surrey Police in 2005, but committed the rapes, both against a single woman, while serving as an officer with the county police force.

The woman, who was commended by those working on the case for her bravery in speaking out, urged others to do the same:

"The support I was given by Surrey Police throughout the investigation gave me the strength to see this case through and I would urge anyone who has been the victim of a similar offence to come forward and report it," she said after Seekings was sentenced.

Judge Stephen Mooney reportedly said Seekings had "betrayed" his role as a police officer by what he had done.

"The fact that Seekings is now facing life in prison for the next 11 years reflects the severity of his offending and the trauma and anguish he inflicted on his victim," Detective Constable Becky Thompson, who worked on the case, said.

"Seekings was a controlling sexual perpetrator who wouldn’t take no for an answer, and subjected his victim to sexual abuse over a six year period.

"Understandably, she has been left extremely traumatised by the ordeal she has suffered and I want to commend her for her bravery in coming forward and giving evidence in court.

"I hope that the fact Seekings is now behind bars will give her some closure and help her move on with her life," she added.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Alison Barlow meanwhile offered her own statement.

In it she praised both the team who worked on the case and the woman targeted by Seekings for helping see him brought before the courts:

"I would like to praise the victim for her courage in coming forward and re-living her ordeal in court.

"I would also like to commend DC Thomson and her team for the excellent investigation which was carried out and ensured Seekings was brought to justice," she said.

Surrey Police deal with any concerns about the conduct of the force via this email address: AntiCorruption@surrey.pnn.police.uk or by 999 calls in an emergency.

The force said they also give advice and information about support available for victims of rape or sexual abuse, available here.