Top policeman killed himself: inquest

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Torbet was found dead in Peacehaven on October 30 shortly before he was due to answer his bail.

An inquest into his death was held in Eastbourne on March 17.

Mr Torbet had been suspended from Sussex Police with Chief Inspector Sharon Rowe after allegations the pair had stolen wine from Marks and Spencer.

Years before, Mr Torbet, 54, suffered a tragedy when his 19-year-old daughter, Rae Torbet, was stabbed to death in 2003 by a former boyfriend at her flat in Bexhill.

Truck driver Dellwyn James was jailed for 14 years for murder.

Mr Torbet's brother, Fraser Torbet, who was also a Sussex Police officer and now works for the British Transport Police, said at the inquest: "Jim was always bitterly disappointed with the killer's sentence and never felt justice had been served.

"I was always worried about what might happen when the killer was released but he didn't want to talk about it. He never sought professional help to deal with his grief but seemed to be coping."

However, on September 28 Mr Torbet was arrested for shoplifting, became depressed and was diagnosed as suffering from post-traumatic stress.

Fraser picked his brother up from Crawley Police Station on the day of his arrest.

"He started sobbing uncontrollably, clutching his chest and bending over. His breathing was also irregular," said Fraser.

"My concern was to get him home and not ask any questions."

When the brothers returned to Mr Torbet's house he admitted placing a noose in the loft. He told his brother he had sat with electric cables round his neck and then taken a knife to bed with him the night before his arrest.

Coroner Alan Craze was told how Mr Torbet's mental health deteriorated and on October 10, when he answered his bail, he was deemed unfit for interview by Sussex Police medical examiner Dr Robert Sparks.

Dr Anna Moon, Mr Torbet's GP, said he had talked through his problems at the surgery and explained he was also concerned about his affair with Sharon Rowe.

Ms Rowe, 44, has two children and Mr Torbet said she was reluctant to break up the family.

Fraser had been staying every night with Mr Torbet and when he returned to the address late on October 29 he found a note on the front door.

It read, "Do not come in alone, phone the police. I am sorry."

Alan Craze recorded a verdict of suicide and said: "This is a most tragic death. I knew Jim professionally and I had dealings with him on a number of occasions.

"I found him to be a pleasant, efficient and intelligent officer and I was surprised and horrified to hear about his death and the circumstances.

"I knew the awful events surrounding the death of his daughter and I have to say he was never the same man after it as he was before it."

Mr Craze said he would be writing to the operations manager at the Reliance Medical Centre to suggest findings from the force medical examiner be sent to GPs. He said he felt this may help prevent similar fatalities.

After the inquest, Sussex Police Chief Constable Martin Richards said Mr Torbet had given 28 years of service and was a 'loyal and valued' member of the team.