Ex-Copper Busted for Assault in Spain and Lying to Police
Former police constable Sarah Trewern faced a public misconduct hearing on Tuesday, 26 April 2022 – but she wasn’t there. She had already quit before the hearing began. The panel confirmed she was guilty of misconduct after a string of serious offences.
Assault on Spanish Cop Lands Jail Term
Trewern had a dramatic run-in at Alicante airport, Spain. She was arrested by Spanish police and pleaded guilty to assaulting an officer. She was handed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, plus fines.
When questioned by Devon & Cornwall Police about the incident, Trewern fibbed. She claimed she’d been denied legal advice and forced into signing paperwork without an interpreter. The panel slammed this as dishonest — breaching her professional standards around honesty and integrity.
Off-Duty Arrest and Abuse of Colleagues
That wasn’t the end. In May 2021, off-duty Trewern was arrested again in Redruth on suspicion of assault. Police said she was abusive during her arrest. The four-day hearing confirmed she seriously breached police codes on honesty, integrity, respect, and courtesy.
Dismissal Would Have Followed If Still Serving
The misconduct panel ruled that if Trewern were still in uniform, she would have been sacked without notice.
Detective Superintendent Paul Kessell, Head of Professional Standards, said: “We expect our officers and staff to uphold their standards of behaviour at all times, both on and off duty, and this individual has failed to do so on these occasions.
“Her behaviour brought discredit upon the police service and could undermine public confidence.
“Such conduct will not be tolerated within Devon & Cornwall Police and this clearly was the appropriate outcome from the misconduct proceedings.”
