Senior police officer found dead

Det Ch Insp Jim Torbet was found dead at his home in the early hours

A high-ranking Sussex police officer whose daughter was murdered has been found dead.

Det Ch Insp Jim Torbet was 54 and had been with the force for 28 years.

His daughter, Rae, was stabbed to death in her Bexhill flat in 2003 by ex-boyfriend Dellwyn James who was jailed for her murder.

The force confirmed that Mr Torbet was suspended over allegations of theft last month. He was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting wine.

His colleague, Worthing district commander Sharon Rowe, was also suspended and arrested on suspicion of shoplifting from a Marks and Spencer store.

The pair were bailed pending further inquiries after the alleged incident in Shoreham, West Sussex.

Chief Constable Martin Richards said: "It is with the greatest sadness and regret that I have to tell colleagues of the sudden and untimely death overnight of Det Ch Insp Jim Torbet."

He said Mr Torbet was a "popular and valued" member of the team who had given "many years of loyal and dedicated service" and had received five commendations.

He said there were no suspicious circumstances concerning the death, which had been referred to the coroner.

'Intolerable' situation

The police inspector was also vice-chairman of governors at Bexhill High School.

Chairman of governors, Brian Kentfield, said: "Jim was a guy who I had an enormous amount of respect for and he was a great figure.

"He was a fantastic guy and a great supporter of the school.

"He gave us very long and distinguished service at the school and I held him in high regard and as a very close friend."

The principal of Bexhill High School, Mike Conn, said he would be writing to police chief Martin Richards with concerns about how Mr Torbet's case was handled.

The police inspector's daughter was stabbed to death by an ex-boyfriend

Mr Conn said he believed "procrastination" in dealing with the shoplifting allegation led to Mr Torbet facing an "intolerable" situation.

He said: "I would like to know why the allegation, which was relatively minor, took so long to investigate and secondly how it came into the public domain before he was even charged."

A spokesman for the local education authority, East Sussex County Council, said: "We are very saddened by the news. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time."

Mr Torbet was found at his home in the Lewes area of East Sussex in the early hours of Thursday.

His daughter was 19 when she was stabbed more than 15 times by Dellwyn James, a fork-lift truck driver, at her flat in Cantelupe Road.

James, who had made two suicide bids, was found guilty and given a life sentence in October 2003.