Former Essex Police special superintendent Chris Gliddon due in court on sexual assault charge

A former Essex Police special superintendent is due to appear in court today (Monday, March 3) charged in connection with sexual assault.

It relates to an incident which happened in the Braintree district between January 2019 and July 2021 whilst the former officer, from Great Bardfield, was off duty.

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “When the incident was reported to us we launched an investigation and a man was arrested. A file was subsequently submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

“We have been authorised by the CPS to charge Chris Gliddon, 28, of Bendlowes Road, Great Bardfield, with sexual assault. He is due to appear at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on March 3.”

Specials are volunteer police officers who give at least 16 hours a month for policing duties. They wear the same uniform, have the same powers and perform the same roles as full-time police officers, but on a part-time basis.