Chief inspector took advantage of officer - court

David Rolls is accused of misconduct in public office

A Sussex Police chief inspector had sex with a vulnerable junior officer in her home, a court has heard.

David Rolls, 46, is accused of misconduct in public office by forming a sexual relationship with another officer, who was struggling with her mental health, between 2016 and 2018.

At Lewes Crown Court on Monday, prosecutor Alisdair Smith said someone in his position should have realised that having sex with someone who was vulnerable was an "improper thing to do".

Jurors heard the pair had exchanged flirty and intimate messages and pictures.

On one occasion, said Mr Smith, the defendant had asked the victim for a hug while aroused and then asked the woman to give him oral sex.

Asked why she did this, the officer, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she did it to "please him", the prosecution said.

“This is a good example of the way in which David William Rolls was taking advantage of his position to get that sexual advantage from her," Mr Smith said while opening the case.

“He succeeded in … involving her sexually with him.”

'Lose his job'

The court heard that, on another visit to her home, Mr Rolls had sex with the woman and allegedly filmed it.

“After that he left, saying he needed to go to the shops for his wife.”

Jurors heard the woman told police Mr Rolls had asked her not to tell anyone about their relationship because he would lose his job.

Mr Rolls denies having any sexual relations with the woman.

He resigned as a detective chief inspector in March 2023.

The trial continues.