Former Brighton police sergeant bailed by court

A former Brighton police sergeant has appeared in court in London accused of selling information to a national newspaper.

James Bowes, 30, a former member of the Brighton and Hove Neighbourhood Policing Team, was accused of misconduct in a public office at Westminster Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Tuesday 26 March).

Bowes, of King’s Stone Avenue, Steyning, was alleged to have sold information about three high-profile investigations to The Sun for £500 while he was working for Sussex Police.

The Crown Prosecution Service said that the offences took place between Friday 9 April and Tuesday 20 July 2010.

He was arrested by the Metropolitan Police as part of Operation Elveden. The investigation has led to the arrest of more than 60 people on suspicion of making corrupt payments to public officials or receiving them.

Bowes was remanded on unconditional bail to appear at Southwark Crown Court on Friday 12 April.