An ex-officer who sent sexually suggestive messages through private police e-mail has been found guilty of misconduct.

Former PC Harry Burgess resigned from his post but was told he would have been dismissed for his actions anyway after breaching standards of professional behaviour.

The ex-officer was brought to the hearing at the Civic Centre, Chelmsford, between Monday, December 17 and Tuesday, December 18, with a panel chaired by Independent Legally Qualified Chair Neil Dalton.

Burgess had exchanged personal and sexually suggestive messages with another officer via Whatsapp, texts and the personal Essex Police e-mail system between January 19 and June 8, 2016.

He also engaged in sexual activity at the police station during the same time frame.

The senior officer on the panel, Chief Superintendent Tracey Harman, said: “Former PC Harry Burgess acted in a way that goes against what we expect of our officers.

“He took advantage of a situation with another officer to satisfy his own urges and did so while he was meant to be serving and protecting the people of Essex.”

Another officer, PC Laura Welsh, was also found to have breached the standards of professional behaviour.

She was handed a written warning.

“For PC Welsh’s part, I hope she uses this as a learning opportunity for future behaviour.”