A Sussex Police officer has been found not guilty of corruption following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court.
PC Joseph Aylett, who lives on Blackbridge Lane in Horsham, was charged in August 2024 after being accused of allowing an assault suspect he knew to walk free following an incident in Crawley in 2022.
The charge stemmed from an investigation conducted by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). PC Aylett, however, denied any wrongdoing, and the jury delivered a not guilty verdict on Friday.
Police and IOPC Response
Following the conclusion of the trial, Sussex Police confirmed that internal misconduct proceedings would now be pursued. A spokesperson stated:
“Now the criminal investigation has concluded, the force will progress internal misconduct proceedings.”
IOPC director Emily Barry also commented on the outcome, stating:
“We will be liaising with the force around disciplinary matters.”
