A Herts police officer from Stevenage manipulated vulnerable young female crime victims into sexual relationships with him, a court heard on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Gregory Perrins told a jury at Luton Crown Court that Simon Salway exploited his professional contacts with seven domestic violence victims and other crime witnesses between 2006 and 2014.

Two of the complainants – who all cannot be named for legal reasons – claim to have repeatedly had sex with the 39-year-old and one allegedly gave birth to his daughter before revealing the relationship to the officer’s wife.

In the trial, PC Salway – who lives in the St Nicholas area but has been suspended from his officer duties in Hatfield while the case is ongoing – denies seven charges of misconduct in public office.

PC Salway – who was specially trained to deal with domestic violence victims – was arrested in March 2014 after a mobile was found in his locker with ‘provocative’ photographs of women, Mr Perrins said.

He told the jury: “The extent of his misconduct was such to amount to an abuse of the public’s trust in the office of police constable.”

Mr Perrins said PC Salway had exploited vulnerable women, whose abuse by ex-partners had caused depression and other psychological problems.

The trial, which is expected to last three weeks, continues.