Chief Inspector Sharon Rowe (44) was allegedly caught stealing wine with a colleague at Marks and Spencer in Shoreham. But she will not be charged because 'other public interest factors clearly outweighed those tending towards a prosecution'.

Ms Rowe, who was the district commander for Worthing, was arrested with Detective Chief Inspector Jim Torbet (54). The pair were freed on police bail, pending further inquiries, and suspended.

Mr Torbet was found dead at his home in Peacehaven on October 30, shortly before he was due to answer bail. He had reportedly hanged himself.

Alastair Nisbet, head of the Crown Prosecution Service complex casework unit, 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."

For the full story and comment, see the West Sussex Gazette issue dated December 3.