A police officer who started a sexual relationship with a woman he initially met when she was a victim of crime has been dismissed.

PC Dermot Dunne was instantly dismissed on Thursday (September 7) at the conclusion of a four-day misconduct hearing and will be placed on the barred list. He had been suspended prior to the hearing.

The case brings the number of officers dismissed by the force in the last 12 months to 10 – five of which were for sexual offences.

Following the dismissal, Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst said the outcome reinforced the force's zero tolerance for misconduct, particularly sexual offences.

He said: "The behaviour of PC Dunne was appalling and completely unacceptable.

"There is simply no place in our organisation for anyone capable of such abhorrent behaviour and we will continue to do everything possible to root out any individual who falls short of the high standards I demand of our officers and staff.

"We are working hard to build an inclusive culture which does not tolerate such behaviour or attitudes, and we actively encourage colleagues to call out concerns so we can take action or address behaviour at an early stage.

"Likewise, the public should know that their concerns and reports of misconduct and unethical behaviour will be thoroughly investigated.

"We know behaviour and cases such as this will concern our communities. But I want to reassure people that we are determined to identify anyone in our ranks who behaves like this and get them out of policing for good.

"We are committed to keeping women and girls safe and expect the highest standards of professionalism and integrity from our officers and staff."

PC Dunne was found to have started a sexual relationship with a victim of crime in 2005, which continued for a few months. She alleged that he had attacked her one night after plying her with a sedative.

The victim did not want to support a criminal investigation when the matter was reported last year, therefore the investigation was taken on by the force's Professional Standards Department (PSD).

PC Dunne was found to have used a police computer system and obtained the victim's mobile phone number, where he pursued a sexual relationship with her.

Several years later the relationship was rekindled and continued, when PC Dunne was being investigated for a similar matter. 

He failed to notify PSD around these circumstances and continued a sexual relationship with someone who he knew was now vulnerable.

The allegations with regards to sexually attacking the victim and use of a sedative was found not proven by the panel. 

A four-day hearing at King's House chaired by a Legally Qualified Chair determined that PC Dunne had breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour for Integrity; Authority, Respect and Courtesy; Duties and Responsibilities; Orders and Instructions, and Discreditable Conduct, and that his behaviour amounted to gross misconduct.

He will be placed on the College of Policing barred list, banning him from returning to policing or other similar professions.