Update: Shoplifting inquiry officer found dead (From The Argus)

Senior Sussex Police officer found dead at home

12:04pm Thursday 30th October 2008 in News By Ben Parsons

A senior police officer has been found dead, a month after his arrest on suspicion of shoplifting.

The body of Detective Chief Inspector Jim Torbet, who was suspended from his post in Sussex Police’s professional standards department, was found at his home in Peacehaven early yesterday.

Rumours circulating around the force were that the 54-year-old had hanged himself. The force was last night accused of putting unnecessary strain on DCI Torbet, who had been on bail for a month without charge over the allegation that he and Chief Inspector Sharon Rowe stole wine from Marks and Spencer at Holmbush in Shoreham.

Friends and colleagues described DCI Torbet as popular and highly regarded, praising his ability and integrity. He had worked in several senior roles before moving to the professional standards department, which investigates allegations against police officers.

His personal life was shattered by the murder of his 19-year-old daughter Rae in 2003. She was stabbed by her ex-boyfriend, forklift driver Dellwyn James, after he lay in wait for her at her flat in Bexhill.

DCI Torbet’s arrest for shoplifting cast a shadow on a 28-year career in which he was commended five times. Both DCI Torbet and Ch Insp Rowe were due to answer bail over the allegations in November.

The force was criticised yesterday for the time the investigation had taken.

Mike Conn, headteacher of Bexhill High School, where DCI Torbet was a governor, said he would write to Martin Richards, Chief Constable of Sussex Police, to express concern.

“I am so incensed by this. The thought of him stealing a bottle of wine just doesn’t seem possible. If the police were going to charge him, why has it taken so long?

“You are in limbo, people don’t know where they stand with you. He wrote to my deputy yesterday to say this wasn’t going to be resolved very quickly and he wouldn’t be coming to our next meeting.

“It put him under incredible strain. If that has resulted in his death there might be people who have to answer some questions.”

Brian Stockham, chairman of Sussex Police Federation and a friend of DCI Torbet, said: “It would be unfair to link this news to an inquiry into an offence of shoplifting.

“Many of us were hopeful that it would be fully aired and resolved. Unfortunately, with Jim’s death, as far as he is concerned it will remain an allegation.

“As a highly professional officer with a strong background in professional standards, Jim knew full well that this matter needed to be fully investigated.”

DCI Torbet held several senior posts, including a leading role in the now defunct crime and drug unit and as head of Eastbourne CID.

He led the investigation into the murder of Billy Carmichael in Brighton in 2000, which led to two convictions.

Mr Stockham said: “A long time ago when we lost a colleague we used the phrase, ‘When one of our colleagues falls, the rest of us stumble.’ Today a lot of us in Sussex have stumbled on this tragic news.”

Chief Constable Martin Richards said: “Jim had given many years of loyal and dedicated service to Sussex Police.

“He was a popular and valued member of our team.”

Sussex Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

The case has been handed to the East Sussex coroner’s office to prepare for an inquest.