Christopher Mallet, a former Sussex police officer aged 40, is facing 18 new charges in addition to existing rape and sexual assault allegations. The ex-Horsham officer is accused of corruption, data breaches, and misconduct in public office.
The new charges allege that Mallet abused his police powers to access and retain personal data about women he encountered while on duty. After leaving the police force in 2019, Mallet is scheduled to appear at Guildford Magistrates’ Court on 19 May 2025 to respond to these allegations.
The specific charges include:
- 3 counts of corrupt exercise of police powers
- 5 counts of unauthorised computer access
- 5 counts of unlawful disclosure of personal data
- 5 counts of unlawful retention of personal data
These charges stem from an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which began in May 2019 after Sussex Police referred the case.
In addition to the new charges, Mallet is due to stand trial in March 2026 at Guildford Crown Court for rape and sexual assault related to an alleged off-duty incident in May 2019. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) authorised these charges in October 2024 following evidence submitted by the IOPC. Further investigations led to the additional corruption and data misuse charges being brought forward last month.
The IOPC issued a statement saying, “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.”
The next court date for Mallet is 19 May 2025 at Guildford Magistrates’ Court. The trial for the rape and sexual assault charges is set to begin on 23 March 2026 at Guildford Crown Court.
The case has sparked calls for police reform, particularly concerning vetting procedures and digital access controls within UK policing. Data protection organisations and police watchdogs are closely monitoring the developments in this high-profile case.
Originally published by UKNIP.
