Chief constable's daughter charged

THE DAUGHTER of the beleaguered Chief Constable of Sussex Police has been charged in connection with an alleged assault on two constables, it emerged yesterday.

Frances Whitehouse, 18, was arrested on Monday night after a fight allegedly broke out between two men in Norfolk Square in Brighton, East Sussex. She is alleged to have punched one of the officers, PC Paul Ashman, in the chest and kicked a second constable, Tony Spalding, in the head.

The teenager's father, Paul Whitehouse,who is considered a progressive police chief, was only reinstated into his job last week after being suspended over the handling of the fatal shooting of a naked man.

Monday night's incident is said to have happened as the officers questioned two men in Western Road, Brighton.

Miss Whitehouse, from Hove, was charged with a public order offence and two counts of assault.

Mr Whitehouse was informed of the arrest at his home in Lewes. "She is my daughter and I will continue to support her. It is a family matter," he told the local newspaper.

A spokesman for Sussex Police confirmed Miss Whitehouse had been arrested, saying: "She has been charged under Section 4 of the Public Order Act and two charges of assaulting police."

Miss Whitehouse has been released on bail and is due to appear before magistrates in Brighton on 6 May.

Her father took up his job again six days ago after being suspended for giving inaccurate information following the fatal shooting of James Ashley who died in his flat in Hastings, Sussex, in January last year.

Mr Whitehouse, 55, was given "strong written advice" by his police authority.

One of his officers has been charged with the murder of Mr Ashley.