Jim Torbet tragedy - new twist

Crown solicitors have admitted they had enough evidence to charge Worthing police chief Sharon Rowe with shoplifting.

But prosecutors say "other public interest factors" in the case persuaded them to recommend against proceeding with the case.

Alastair Nisbet, head of the Crown Prosecution Service Complex Casework Unit, said police provided enough evidence to charge Chief Inspector Sharon Rowe for allegedly stealing wine from Marks and Spencer in Shoreham in late September.

But he said Chief Insp Rowe's job, good character, and the likely sentence if convicted were among factors which "clearly outweighed" reasons to press charges.

He added the apparent suicide late last month of "close friend" Detective Chief Inspector Jim Torbet, who was arrested with Chief Insp Rowe at the time of the alleged offence, was also taken into consideration.

The decision was taken by Hampshire prosecutors, in line with CPS protocol which requires investigations into allegations against police officers to be taken out of the areas in which they served.

In a statement, Mr Nisbet said: "While stealing from shops is always a serious offence, and police officers are in a position of trust, prosecutors have to also decide whether it is in the public interest to proceed with a prosecution.

"In this case, there was sufficient evidence to merit a charge, but the prosecutor concluded that other public interest factors clearly outweighed those tending towards a prosecution.

"Those factors included the likely sentence in the event of a conviction, the suspect's good character and long record of public service and the recent and untimely death of the close friend whom she was with at the time of the alleged offence."

Chief Insp Rowe may still lose her job over the allegations, with Sussex Police revealing that they were considering misconduct proceedings against her.

Worthing West MP Peter Bottomley said he believed people would understand the CPS's decision.

He said: "People want to support the police. We all know that whether you are a politician, a police officer or a general member of the public, people should not jump to conclusions.

"I don't know the details of what's happened but, given the circumstances, most people would accept this is an appropriate course of action.

"I believe if this person had been a publican or an insurance broker or somebody who is unemployed they would have taken the same decision in the circumstances."

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