Jonathan Davies-Brewin, was arrested after contacting someone he thought was a 15–year–old boy on dating app Grindr in on June 14 last year.

Unbeknownst to him the profile was in fact that of an adult man posing as a teenager.

Following a string on messages the two arranged to meet in Braintree on the same day and Davies-Brewin was arrested.

On December 12 2017 he admitted a charge of attempting to meet a child under the age of 16 for the purposed of sexual grooming.

On January 31 2018 he was sentenced to nine month in prison, suspended for two years.

He told to pay £1,200 in costs, was ordered to take part in the Horizon Programme, do 200 houors of unpaid community work and 25 rehabilitation days.

He was also given a Sexual Prevention Order for 10 years and was put on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

Davies-Brewin was suspended from his duties following his arrest and resigned on January 18.

On March 5 Essex Police held a misconduct hearing at Chelmsford Civic Centre.

A panel led by Cheif Constable Stephen Kavanagh found him guilty of gross misconduct, having breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in the area of Discreditable Conduct.

Had he not already resigned, the panel decided Davies-Brewin would have been dismissed.

After the hearing, Chieft Constable Kavanagh said: “I demand the highest level of conduct from my officers and Jonathan Davies-Brewin’s actions have fallen well below what I expect.

“I have no doubt in my mind he went to Braintree with the premeditated intention to abuse a young person.

“The role police officers play in society to protect the most vulnerable is a responsibility which must be taken with the utmost seriousness and is a fundamental pillar in public confidence in policing.

“Jonathan Davies-Brewin’s conduct had the potential to undermine the faith of children and young people in police officers and their intentions and I have no hesitation in handing down this sanction.

“I believe I have some of the best officers in the country here in Essex and Davies-Brewin’s behaviour is not, and should not, be a reflection on them.

“He may have already resigned but it was important this misconduct process took place.

“The outcome and sanction we have agreed on means he will be placed on the barred list and won’t be able to work for another force anywhere in the country.”