Survivor star's husband suspended

Charlotte and Mark with John Leslie

The police officer husband of Charlotte Hobrough - the winner of the first Survivor "reality" television show - has been suspended from his job as a sergeant.

It is understood that Mark Hobrough, from the South Wales Police force, is being investigated after an allegation of indecent assault was made against him following a party at a Cardiff nightclub.

Sixteen contestants were stranded on the island

Charlotte Hobrough said on Tuesday that she pledged to support her husband throughout the investigation.

"I've known about this for three months and it's been a difficult time," she said.

"But I trust Mark and I know he wouldn't do anything like that. I feel very angry about the whole business but I cannot say too much while the complaint is still being investigated."

The 26-year-old, who bought her dream home in Sully, near Cardiff, won £1m on the gameshow in July last year after spending 40 days on the island of Pulua Tiga, in the South China Sea.

Following her win, Ms Hobrough, who was a serving police officer at the time, pledged to patch up her marriage to her husband after millions of viewers saw her have an affair with one of the 16 contestants on the show.

The show hit the headlines when it was revealed married Ms Hobrough was having an affair with one of the island inhabitants, causing her to be dubbed "Charlotte the Harlot".

Mr Hobrough, however, had been the subject of news headlines some years before for his involvement as a police officer in the infamous murder of Cowbridge jeweller Gerry Hales.

A 25-year-old probationer at the time, he spotted Orlando Sir - who stabbed to death Mr Hales before stealing £140,000 worth of jewellery - running away from the scene of the killing on Cowbridge High Street in May 1997.

Sir waved a blood stained knife as the officer approached.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that Pc Hoborough drew his baton, but he lay it on the ground in a bid to persuade Sir to give himself up.

He then made the arrest without a struggle and was later commended for his actions.

A spokesman for the force said: "A 30-year-old police sergeant has been suspended in connection with an indecent assault matter."