A Herts police officer from Stevenage who manipulated vulnerable victims of crime into having sex with him has been officially sacked for bringing ‘mistrust’ to the force.

Former PC Simon Salway, 39, who was based at Hatfield Police Station, took advantage of women who had contacted the police for help, including one who had a baby by him.

He was found guilty of six counts of misconduct in public office and was sentenced to three years in prison in January.

PC Salway was absent at a public misconduct hearing held earlier today at Bedfordshire Police HQ.

The hearing was chaired by Beds police chief Jon Boutcher, who condemned the actions of the disgraced PC.

Chief Con Boutcher said: “Each victim was vulnerable, and PC Salway used his position as a police officer for his own sexual gratification when those victims needed his help. This amounts to gross misconduct and clearly breaches standards of behaviour.

“He brought mistrust to police at a time when we need people to come forward for the type of crimes they were victims of. I have a responsibility to protect the public and he abandoned the trust we gave him. On behalf of the police force, I apologise to the victims.”

Assistant Chief Con Bill Jepshon said: “PC Salway’s dismissal is a symbolic step in ridding the force of a corrupt officer who callously took advantage of the position of trust placed in him without any concern for the consequences of his conduct.

“Sitting in his prison cell Simon Salway will now have plenty of time to reflect upon his actions.

“As an organisation we will continue to support his victims in any way we can.

“Consideration is being made to seize his pension.”

The 39-year-old – who had sex while on duty – was specially trained in domestic violence cases, and often won the trust of his victims by flirting with them before sending them sexual texts and messages.

One victim believed she was in a relationship with him, and ended the relationship when she found out he was married. She later discovered she was pregnant.

Another victim said she doesn’t know if she will be able to trust the police again.

Police misconduct hearings have been held in public since the Police Conduct Regulations 2015 came into effect in May last year.

Herts police and crime commissioner David Lloyd said: “It is essential that police uphold the highest standards of conduct throughout their duties and in their private lives. I welcome the fact that these misconduct panels are now open to press and public as the transparency will contribute greatly to public confidence and reassurance. They bring even greater levels of fairness and openness to police misconduct matters.”