A former Sussex Police officer, already facing trial for rape and sexual assault, has now been charged with 18 additional criminal offences, including corruption, data breaches, and misconduct in public office.
Christopher Mallet, 40, who served as a police constable based in Horsham, is accused of abusing his powers to access and retain personal information about women he encountered while on duty. He left the force in 2019 and is due to appear at Guildford Magistrates’ Court on 19 May to face the new charges.
New Charges Detailed
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorised the following charges against Mr Mallet:
- 3 counts of corrupt or other improper exercise of police powers and privileges
(Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015, Section 26(1)) - 5 counts of unauthorised access to computer material
(Computer Misuse Act 1990, Section 1(1)) - 5 counts of unlawful disclosure of personal data
(Data Protection Act 2018, Section 170(1)(a)) - 5 counts of unlawful retention of personal data
(Data Protection Act 2018, Section 170(1)(c))
These charges stem from an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation launched in May 2019, following a mandatory conduct referral by Sussex Police.
Ongoing Rape and Sexual Assault Case
Mallet is also awaiting trial for charges of rape and sexual assault related to an alleged off-duty incident in May 2019. That trial is scheduled to begin at Guildford Crown Court on 23 March 2026.
The CPS initially authorised those charges in October 2024, after receiving a case file from the IOPC in March 2021. Following further investigations, a second file submitted in March 2025 led to the 18 new charges confirmed in April 2025.
Statement from the IOPC
A spokesperson from the IOPC said:
“These charges reflect the seriousness of the alleged abuse of position for a sexual purpose. Police officers hold privileged access to personal information and powers, and any misuse is a significant breach of public trust.”
Next Court Appearance
- Date: Monday, 19 May 2025
- Location: Guildford Magistrates’ Court
- Further Trial: 23 March 2026, Guildford Crown Court (Rape/Sexual Assault)
Public Interest and Accountability
The case has prompted calls for stronger vetting processes and digital access oversight within UK policing. Data protection campaigners and police watchdogs continue to monitor developments closely.
