“Good luck, mate”: Police officer sends messages of support for convicted rapist colleague on Facebook

As MailOnline has revealed, a serving police officer pledged his support to a convicted colleague who was a rape victim, writing “Good luck mate” on Facebook just days before the verdict was announced.

PC Andy Collis, who works for West Midlands Police, made the ill-advised comment to show his support for PC Aron May, who was found guilty of two counts of rape and sentenced to 12 years in prison on Monday.

Responding to a photo posted on Facebook on June 5 showing May with his partner and their black Labrador, PC Collis left a message saying “Good luck mate” with a prayer emoji.

May – also a West Midlands police officer – was found guilty of sexual assault in April but appeared at Worcester Crown Court for sentencing earlier this week.

Today, PC Collis, 57, appeared unrepentant at his home in Coleshill, Warwickshire, and confirmed that he had sent the message in support of May and then deleted it.

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Earlier, Judge Martin Jackson expressed concern about some character statements made on May’s behalf by police colleagues, which contained “ill-judged” and “derogatory” comments about both the jury’s verdict and the victim.

PC Collis, who made local headlines in 2013 when he grew a Magnum PI-style moustache for Movember to raise awareness of men’s health, spoke to MailOnline from the doorstep of his detached home in a quiet cul-de-sac, refusing to elaborate on the meaning of his message.

He simply said, “It meant ‘good luck, mate’, that’s all. OK. Thanks. Let’s go.”

Before closing the door, he told the reporter to go to West Midlands Police headquarters, adding: “You must go to Lloyd House. I will not give anything away.”

It emerged that May had abused the same woman twice within a matter of weeks, and West Midlands Police released him before he was sent to prison.

The officer carried out his first attack on August 14, 2019, before striking again at the end of the August bank holiday weekend.

The first time, he picked up his victim and carried her to another room, ignoring her pleas to stop having sex with her.

His second attack occurred while she was sleeping.

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During the trial, the court was told that the victim confronted the police officer about his crimes and secretly recorded him doing so.

In the audio recording, May unleashed a torrent of abuse that was later used as evidence in his conviction.

In sentencing, Judge Jackson May said his position as a police officer was a “serious aggravating circumstance” as it undermined public confidence in police work.

He said: “I note that you continue to deny having held any of these offices. That is your privilege.”

“But it leads me to conclude that your continued denial does not demonstrate any remorse for your actions, and while you may have insight at an abstract level into the seriousness of the crime of rape when committed by others, you have no insight into your own conduct.”

May was considered a rugby star in his youth and even represented Wales at U18 level.

The court was told that the Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, had covered the costs of May’s defence by experienced lawyer Michelle Heeley KC through its insurance.

Referring to the character statements written in support of the officer, the judge warned that the perpetrators often showed “a completely different face” to those who knew them from work or private life, which concealed their true predatory nature.

He told May, from Romsley in Shropshire, that his offences were about “satisfying his needs” and “exercising control over his victim” before sentencing him to seven years for the first rape and five years for the second, both to be served consecutively.

He was also given a restraining order prohibiting him from having contact with his victim.

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His victim, whose identity cannot be disclosed for legal reasons, had explained in an earlier statement to the court how she could get her life back on track, saying: “Once he is convicted, I will finally be able to breathe again.”

“The relief at his conviction was huge and I broke down.”

Although May was a police officer in the West Midlands, the rapes were investigated by police in neighbouring West Mercia.

Following the verdict, Assistant Chief Constable Scott Green of West Midlands Police said: “Aron May was dismissed from West Midlands Police in May 2024 following his conviction at Worcester Crown Court of two counts of rape. He had previously attended a misconduct hearing.

“Today he was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

“The public rightly expects the highest levels of professionalism from our officers and staff, and we are committed to ensuring that those who violate these standards are held accountable.”

“As part of the sentencing proceedings against former police officer Aaron May, two serving West Midlands Police officers provided character statements in his favour.

“They described their previous association with him and made no comments about the victim or other details of the case.”

“Our thoughts remain with the victim of former PC May.”

MailOnline has contacted West Midlands Police.