An award-winning police officer has been sacked for engaging in an improper relationship with a witness.

Paul Osmond was dubbed a hero for preventing a violent man from killing himself in 2012.

The 50-year-old police constable, who received the eastern region Police Bravery Award two years later, was dismissed without notice following a tribunal at Suffolk Constabulary headquarters, in Martlesham Heath.

He was found to have breached standards of professional behaviour by abuse of position to engage in an improper relationship with a witness of a crime last year.

The alleged misconduct took place between April 26 and May 3, 2017, when the officer was stationed at Mildenhall.

Concerns about the nature of his conduct were reported to the police by a family member of the other party, who had been witness to an incident involving an alleged assault and criminal damage involving neighbours.

A misconduct hearing, chaired by Siobhan Goodrich and concluded following an adjournment on January 9, found that the officer had breached standards in the areas of discreditable conduct; authority, respect and courtesy; honesty and integrity; confidentiality; and duties and responsibilities.

He was dismissed without notice but now has a right to have the case heard by a police appeals tribunal.

In October 2014, Pc Osmond and Pc Rebecca Gardiner won the eastern region Police Bravery Award at a ceremony attended by the Home Secretary, police minister and Met Police commissioner.

On July 3, 2012, they were called to the scene of a three-car road traffic collision in Newmarket, where one of the vehicles had failed to stop.

The drunk driver was later traced to a property, where he armed himself with a large kitchen knife and plunged it into his stomach, before threatening and assaulting the two officers.

Following a struggle, the officers managed to arrest him without sustaining injuries.

Before the awards ceremony in London, Pc Osmond and Pc Gardiner joined 64 of their colleagues from 31 forces for a reception at 10 Downing Street with then Prime Minister David Cameron as a mark of recognition for their acts.