A police officer has been sacked by Kent Police after sexually harassing a colleague at work.

PC John Hetterley, who served on the force in Maidstone, was hauled before a misconduct hearing at its Sutton Road headquarters after hounding a female officer for sexual relationship, both in person and via electronic messages.

The three-day disciplinary panel convened earlier this month and heard how Hetterley's colleague had made it clear in November 2018 that she did not wish to engage in a relationship with him.

Despite this, he continued to harass her - causing what a report of the behind-closed-doors hearing published by Kent Police describes as "distress of an unacceptable kind in her ordinary work environment".

Hetterley was previously brought before a misconduct hearing in 2016 after he inappropriately touched a colleague and lifted up her skirt during a boozy night out.

It was heard that a group of colleagues were having a meal at an Indian restaurant where PC Hetterley was "substantially under the influence of alcohol", having drunk around 10 pints of lager.

The group then moved on to a nightclub, where Hetterley pinched the bottom of a female co-worker.

She swore at him, but he later lifted up her skirt, which she said humiliated her.

Hetterley did not remember his behaviour because he was so intoxicated, but said he must have been childishly trying to get the woman’s attention.

The 2016 panel found Hetterley’s behaviour amounted to misconduct and gave the officer a final warning, which was to stay on his file for 18 months.

However the hearing earlier this month into his advances towards a fellow PC has now led to his dismissal from the force.

It found he had committed gross misconduct in breaching of standards of professional behaviour relating to discreditable conduct and authority, as well as respect and courtesy.

"We do not hesitate to take action when someone's behaviour falls short..."

As a result Hetterley has been dismissed without notice and will be placed on the Police Barred List, which prevents him from being employed in law enforcement in the future.

The short report of the findings of the hearing, which was held behind closed doors despite an appeal to allow the press in, does not make mention of Hetterley's previous disciplinary in 2016.

Ch Supt Rachel Curtis of Kent Police's professional standards department said: "Kent Police officers and staff are held to very high standards of professional conduct, and we do not hesitate to take action when someone's behaviour falls short of what is expected of them.

"Allegations of a sexual nature including the harassment of colleagues or members of the public are extremely rare but among the most serious we deal with.

"Misconduct proceedings are chaired by independent legal professionals who follow national legislation and guidance.

"A number of sanctions are available to them in cases where misconduct has been proven, ranging from management advice to dismissal without notice.

"When deciding which sanction is appropriate, the Chair will consider a number of factors including the individual's previous character, the seriousness of the case presented to them and whether or not they have previously breached the standards of professional behaviour."

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