A former police officer has been charged with allegedly supplying information to The Sun in exchange for cash.
James Bowes, a former police sergeant with the Neighbourhood Policing team of Sussex Police, has been charged with misconduct in a public office.
It is alleged that in 2010 Bowes provided information to The Sun about three high profile investigations being conducted by Sussex Police at the time in exchange for £500.
Alison Levitt QC principal legal advisor to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), said: “All of these matters were considered carefully in accordance with the DPP's guidelines on the public interest in cases affecting the media. These guidelines require prosecutors to consider whether the public interest served by the conduct in question outweighs the overall criminality before bringing criminal proceedings.
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"Accordingly, we have authorised the institution of proceedings and Mr Bowes will appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court on 26 March 2013.
"May I remind all concerned that proceedings for a criminal offence involving Mr Bowes will now be commenced and that he has a right to a fair trial. It is very important that nothing is said, or reported, which could prejudice that trial. For these reasons it would be inappropriate for me to comment further."
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