Former Sussex Police officer charged with misconduct in public office

He's accused of forming relationships with female victims during investigations

Author: Anahita Hossein-Pour, PAPublished 24th Apr 2024

A former Sussex Police constable accused of forming relationships with female victims in investigations he was involved in will appear in court charged with misconduct in public office.

Jason Catton faces eight counts of the charge after a police watchdog investigated allegations of abusing his position for a sexual purpose.

Two of the charges relate to allegedly developing relationships with the crime victims, while other charges relate to allegedly breaching Covid restrictions and encouraging others to do the same.

The alleged offences took place between September 2020 and January 2021, and Catton resigned in late 2021.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) began its investigations in January 2021 after a conduct referral from Sussex Police.

The IOPC shared a file of evidence with the Crown Prosecution Service in June 2022 which authorised the charges.

Catton will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday (April 25th).

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