A FORMER Avon and Somerset special constable has been found to have committed gross misconduct after being cautioned for sending private sexual photographs and video without consent.

A hearing at police HQ today (Wednesday), chaired by Chief Constable Andy Marsh, was held in private following a direction from the chair.

The outcome was that the special constable - known until now as Special Constable A - would have been dismissed without notice if they’d not already resigned.

The special constable was issued with a caution following a criminal investigation into allegations they disclosed private sexual photographs and video with intent to cause distress to a third party.

Following the hearing, Supt Richard Corrigan said: "This former officer committed a serious offence amounting to a gross breach of someone else’s privacy.

"Their actions are directly opposed to the values we expect of all our officers and staff.

"They resigned prior to the special case hearing, but they’ll now be placed on the National College of Policing’s barred list preventing them from working within policing and certain law enforcement bodies."