Broadside fired after death of inspector

SUSSEX Police have been criticised for procrastinating in dealing with a shoplifting allegation against a police chief who reportedly hanged himself at his Peacehaven home last week.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Nov 2008, 14:24 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 04:31 BST

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Torbet (54), who had been accused of stealing wine from Marks and Spencer at Shoreham with a colleague,but had not yet been charged with any offence, was found dead by his brother Fraser, a retired detective constable, early on Thursday morning shortly before he was due to answer bail.

Det Chief Insp Torbet had been arrested on suspicion of stealing wine from Marks and Spencer at Holmbush, Shoreham, along with Worthing district police commander Chief Inspector Sharon Rowe at the end of September.

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The pair were reportedly stopped at the Holmbush Centre in Shoreham by security guards who believed wine had been stolen from the store.

They were arrested and bailed while police investigated further. Both were also suspended pending the investigation.

Chief Inspector Rowe (44), from Hove, is still on bail. Det Chief Insp Torbet had been bailed twice without being charged and was due to answer bail again in the week he died

Sussex Police has refused to comment on criticisms that the investigation into the shoplifting allegation was taking too long and put Det Chief Insp Torbet under unnecessary strain.

For full story see West Sussex Gazette November 5

Related topics:Sussex PolicePeacehavenShoreham