A POLICE Constable has been dismissed from the force after he threatened his ex-wife and forced his way into her home.

Ian Upperton appeared at a gross misconduct hearing today and yesterday at Sussex Police headquarters in Lewes.

The panel, headed by an independent legally-qualified chairman, found all four allegations made against Upperton were proven.

On November 11, 2019, he forced his way into his ex-wife's home, causing her to fall backwards and suffer a minor injury.

Then on January 13 last year, he made threats to his ex-wife in conversation with another officer, and the following day made angry comments about her to another officer.

In the same conversation he made threats against a Superintendent who had issued him bail.

The matters were described as "very serious" and he was dismissed from the force without notice for breaching standards of professional behaviour in respect of discreditable conduct and authority, respect and courtesy.

Detective Superintendent Rachel Carr, head of the force's professional standards department, said: "Sussex Police expects the highest personal and professional standards of anyone who works for us and any allegations of behaviour that do not meet those standards are rigorously investigated.

“This officer’s behaviour fell far short of the standards we expect at Sussex Police.

"He has let himself, his family, the public and his colleagues down."