A Sussex Police officer has been found not guilty of corruption following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court.

PC Joseph Aylett, who lives on Blackbridge Lane in Horsham, was charged in August 2024 after being accused of allowing an assault suspect he knew to walk free following an incident in Crawley in 2022.

The charge stemmed from an investigation conducted by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). PC Aylett, however, denied any wrongdoing, and the jury delivered a not guilty verdict on Friday.

Police and IOPC Response

Following the conclusion of the trial, Sussex Police confirmed that internal misconduct proceedings would now be pursued. A spokesperson stated:
“Now the criminal investigation has concluded, the force will progress internal misconduct proceedings.”

IOPC director Emily Barry also commented on the outcome, stating:
“We will be liaising with the force around disciplinary matters.”

Background

PC Aylett was charged with corruption last August after allegations surfaced that he had knowingly allowed a suspect involved in an assault to evade justice. The case was referred to the IOPC, which launched an investigation into the incident. Despite the serious nature of the charge, PC Aylett maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.

After examining the evidence and hearing testimonies, the jury determined that PC Aylett was not guilty.

Next Steps

Although PC Aylett has been acquitted of criminal charges, Sussex Police will proceed with internal disciplinary measures to assess his conduct in line with police regulations.

The IOPC will continue to work closely with the force to determine whether any further actions are necessary.

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