Criminal charges against police officer dropped

Criminal proceedings against a former Sussex Police officer who was charged with assaulting two members of public, being drunk and disorderly and using threatening behaviour to commit harassment have been dismissed, the force says.

Ex-PC Dale Hughes was due to stand trial on 2 February after he pleaded not guilty to the charges, but no evidence was offered by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

The charges were in relation to an alleged incident in Worthing on 2 December 2023, while he was off duty. Hughes resigned from the force on 7 May 2024.

Sussex Police said misconduct proceedings would not be pursued following the conclusion of the criminal investigation.

Sussex Police said that the matter was referred to the Independent Office of Police Conduct who directed that a local investigation by the force's Professional Standards Department should be conducted.

It added that no further action was taken following the CPS's decision to not pursue the charges.

Det Ch Insp Amy Cutting said: "It is right that any allegations made against officers are investigated thoroughly and proportionately.

"These reports were subjected to an internal investigation against a criminal threshold, with a final charging decision made by the Crown Prosecution Service.

"We will continue to investigate allegations against the relevant legislative framework and professional standards of behaviour."

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