A FORMER Detective Constable has been charged with an attempted online child sexual offence.

Damien Cotgreave, 45, of High Street, Hailsham, appeared at Guildford Magistrates Court today.

He faced a charge of attempted online sexual communication with a child.

He pleaded not guilty and the case was sent for trial with a preliminary hearing at a Crown Court on May 17.

The prosecution, authorised by the CPS, follows an investigation by the Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) of Sussex Police.

The investigation began when information was received in February 2020.