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Thursday, 2nd September 2010

BREAKING NEWS: Police gave CPS "enough evidence" to charge Worthing chief inspector

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"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"
Alastair Nisbet, CPS
Published Date:
27 November 2008
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.

Investigations

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."

Misconduct

Chief Insp Rowe may still lose her job over the allegations, with Sussex Police revealing yesterday (Wednesday, November 26) 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."

What do you think?

Share your views by commenting below, email the Herald or write in to Readers' Letters, Worthing Herald, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA.

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  • Last Updated: 27 November 2008 5:44 PM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Worthing
 
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M K OlConnor,

Worthing 27/11/2008 19:00:25
This case should go too the courts and be judged accordingly. Too many power figures seem to avoid judgement in court and are offered Gold plated retirement payments and protected pensions instead. But ordinary people are immediatly in most cases sent to court.
Chief Insp Rowe should not receive any special treatment, if she has suffered a mental collapse which might explain this unusual behaviour then it will become evident in court as it would the ordinary person.
Something sinister is becoming evident recently from the goverment and those it chooses to protect !!!!!!
2

Dan Thompson, RAG,

27/11/2008 22:56:08
Three days ago, the Herald reports, Sussex Police launched a major operation to clamp down on shoplifters in Worthing.

In the report, Sergeant Steve Rayland said: "By increasing the number of police, we hope to discourage people from shoplifting.

"In past years, there has been an increase in thefts at this time of year, and what with the credit crunch at the moment, we want to try to prevent people from losing out."

I presume any shoplifters with a history of public service, community work or of previous good character - or who have lost a colleague recently - can expect that "other public interest factors [will outweigh] those tending towards a prosecution"?
3

Bloke On The Street,

Worthing 28/11/2008 11:57:01
I am just off to Marks and Spencer to steal a bottle of wine. I have always been of good character and helped lots of old ladies across the road and hope that the CPS will take this into consideration when considering my case.

All I can say is that it is a good job I am not a Senior Police Officer or a Politician or surely I would have 'the book thrown at me'. Or not it seems!

Had it been April's Fool's Day I would be writing to the Herald congratulating them on their witty Journalism however pointing out that the story was too far fetched even on April 1st to be believed!

Has Peter Bottomley MP taken leave of all his senses in supporting this outrage? Or maybe he is afraid of receiving a Stalin style raid by the Police Anti-Terrorist Special Ops Unit just as Damian Green MP has just endured for speaking the truth?

I am afraid it is time for the Bloke on the street to stand up and be counted. The CPS must reverse this decision so that my children can at least look at Police 'Persons' and believe that they are not common thieves and that if they are they will be brought to justice.

Lets hope Peter Bottomley MP will be equally supportive in print of the penniless Grandmother who has just been caught shoplifting in Marks and Spencer Worthing as he has been for a well paid Senior Police Officer married to a highly paid Lawyer who should have been made an example of and not been let off by the old boys/girls network!!

No votes won on this one Peter...there are a lot more blokes on the street that just may agree with the above .

4

turkish expat,

28/11/2008 12:30:37
Such ignorance. Surely it's worth remembering the immense dedication that Chief Inspector Rowe gave to both Shoreham and Worthing districts. Bloke on the street who steals has not usually contributed much to society and I fully understand why the CPS decline to prosecute. Isn't losing an outstanding career, the death of a fellow officer and the shame punishment enough?
5

Bloke On The Street,

Worthing 28/11/2008 13:00:33
Interesting that Turkish ex pat sees someones opinion as 'such ignorance' Clearly he/she is a personal friend of the Chief Inspector, a fellow officer. a politician or the CPS himself! I am afraid that to judge 'bloke on the street' as ignorant or having not contributed to society as much as a police person shows a distinct and heavily laden bias. The differance is of course is that 'bloke on the street'generally respects everyones opinions but reserves the right to disagree.

On the basis of good service to the community a sliding scale of good deeds will have to be created and what misdemeanours that counteract. What good deeds would Turkish expat suggest to get off murder rape and grand theft auto?
6

Mrs Karen J Johnson,

East Preston Sussex 28/11/2008 18:59:06
Apart from the comment from the Turkish ex pat I fully agree with all the other comments. This woman Sharon Rowe no matter what way you look at it has broken the own law she is employed to up-hold. Fot her other partner in crime to go off and comit suicide to me is the result of a guilty conscience. Too ashamed to face his crime.
It seems to me that this is not the only offence that police employees are guilty of, how many times even in the past year have Traffic Police been involved in FATAL road accidents to always get off? They really do get away with murder.
I truly believe that in the not too distant future this Sharon Rowe will start proeedings to sue the Police Force fo some serious amounts of compensation due to the fact she must be innocent of her crime because she was not prosecuted. That her career has been ruined as her name has been splashed all over the newspapers and as she was not prosecuted she is obviously not guilty of any shoplifting crime.She will win absolutely thousands of pounds and retire with a HUGE pension and a very nice sum of money in the bank to see her through the rest of her life.
I reckon the whole thing stinks, and is corrupt but as I always say "Every Dog Has It's Day"


7

Peter Bottomley,

Worthing and the House of Commons 28/11/2008 19:22:23
"Bloke on the Street" says I will not gain votes by my response to this CPS decision. Probably right but it is a long time since I was last accused of the opposite - saying something just to be popular.

When I was entrusted with the position of Member of Parliament, it was clear that as well as understanding the life and the views of men and women on the street, I could say what I beleive to be right, whatever the consequences.

As it happens, most people may prefer that to a "whateverist" - the kind of person who contacts this anonymous bloke on the street (a challenge in itself) to find what will be popular and what should be said.

If The Bloke want a quiet word and discussion, he is welcome to call me at the Westminster office 020 7219 5060.

On the merits or demerits of what I said, the precise words I intended to use and think in effect I did use were that if we could believe that the CPS would in similar circumstances have made the same decision for people other than a police officer, then we could understand and accept it. In other words, no special treatment just because the people involved were police officers.

I am glad to make this clearer and apologise if I did not do so earlier.
Peter Bottomley
8

Bloke On The Street,

Worthing 28/11/2008 20:50:57
I saw the earlier post of Turkish ex pat and whilst wildly wide of the mark and out of step with the majority I am not sure it was unsuitable and not sure why it was removed. I was not privvy to the second post that was removed and unaware if was from the same person. Whilst I am plaesed to see that other opinion is the same as my own we must be carefull not to act in the same 'dictatorship' style that we are complaining about. I am new here and not sure if the forum is moderated but if so I would urge the moderator to consider reinstating the turkish ex pat post so the comments folowing it have some meaning. The second post I am unaware of and its content so cant comment.
It is important that if you agree with any of the above that you show your support for the views as we are living in difficult times and it is important that Police and Politicians alike are aware we are monitoring them and not just the other way around


9

turkish expat,

29/11/2008 08:05:37
To be clear I am not a personal friend of Sharon Rowe just an ex resident of West Sussex. Nevertheless I am aware of this officer's endeavours to improve policing in the local area by simple observation.
10

Voice of Worthing,

Worthing 30/11/2008 12:02:29
No charges preferred for shoplifting! Yet, on another page, a Worthing man was fined for being drunk at 1am in the morning. He "blamed the incident on the fact it had been a bad year for him, during which he had lost his mother and other relatives. He also claimed he had been suffering from depression."

A great pity Martin James was not a serving police officer since clearly he would not have even gone to court let alone be fined.

Where is the consistency in the treatment of offenders. Police officers, above everyone else, are supposed to hold the public trust and should therefore be even more accountable for their actions.

In my opinion, this case was definitely IN the public interest. She should have been prosecuted. Let the courts decide her innocence or guilt.
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