Two former Sussex Police officers, Daniel Lott and Daniel Groves, have successfully overturned their convictions for common assault after a ruling by Hove Crown Court. The appeal hearing, which took place on Tuesday, October 8, allowed their appeals, meaning the previous convictions no longer stand.
The original charges stemmed from an incident in Bognor on May 29, 2022, when both officers were transporting an arrested man to custody. The Crown Prosecution Service had authorized charges of common assault, and both officers were found guilty at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on May 15, 2023.
Following their conviction, Lott and Groves were dismissed from Sussex Police during an accelerated misconduct hearing in July 2023. However, the officers challenged the verdict, and their appeals were upheld at the Crown Court, clearing their names.
