Police detective resigns after 'shocking' assault on man

A former detective of a Welsh police force has been convicted of common assault after attacking a man whilst off duty. Ex-Detective Sergeant Joanne Marston of Gwent Police resigned from her role after she was convicted on March 7, 2025, shortly before a misconduct hearing took place this month.

On Monday, January 12 a misconduct panel at a public hearing in Cwmbran ruled that had the officer not resigned from her role then she would have received a dismissal without notice following her conviction.

Marston was convicted of one count of common assault after it was alleged that the former officer had assaulted a man while she was off duty in Devon in February 2024. 

At Exeter Magistrates Court Marston received a fine of £1,000 and was ordered to pay £100 compensation to the victim as well as costs of the court.

The ex-Detective Sergeant resigned from Gwent Police shortly before the misconduct hearing started and did not attend the hearing in Cwmbran.

It was ruled that Marston would have been dismissed from the force and will now be placed on the College of Policing’s barred list.

Finding the allegation as proven as gross misconduct, Assistant Chief Constable Vicki Townsend who chaired the hearing said: "The actions of this former officer were both shocking and unacceptable; neither we nor the public accept such behaviour from police officers whether on or off duty.

"While the vast majority of our officers, staff and volunteers conduct themselves impeccably while working to protect our communities, it is behaviour like that shown by this former officer which undermines public trust and confidence in policing.

"There is no place in Gwent Police for those who act in this fashion; it is right that the public expects their officers to uphold the highest standards which this former officer has failed to do."