A Sussex police officer charged with sexual assault has appeared in court. 

PC Lee Willis, from Worthing, is accused of three counts of sexually assaulting two women known to him.

The offences are alleged to have happened between January 2023 and February 2023 while the 48-year-old officer was on duty.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on May 20 and was granted conditional bail until his next hearing on June 17 at Southwark Crown Court. 

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: "The case was referred to Southwark Crown Court on June 17 when he will be arraigned and a trial date fixed.

"He was released on conditional bail. He remains suspended from duty."

The matter was referred to the Independent Office of Police Conduct which directed that a local investigation by the Professional Standards Department should be conducted.