Policeman was '˜sexting' colleague while on duty

It was also alleged married traffic officer Julian Berry had driven away from the division to engage in a romantic relationship.

He also is alleged to have assisted his wife in running a business selling soiled underwear on the internet.

Further allegations against PC Berry, heard by the panel, sitting at Leyland police station, include:

That he ignored two ‘code one’ emergency calls while on duty as he chatted to clubbers;

That he spent more than 30 hours on duty in a coffee shop at Westholme Service Station, during which time he made inappropriate remarks to staff;

That he made unwelcome and unsolicited approaches to police colleagues and members of the public, over a 10-year period;

That he gave a lift home, in a marked police car, to a woman he had met through the website fabswingers; and

That he sent messages admitted having been asleep on duty.

Oliver Williamson, representing Lancashire Police, laid out four charges relating to discreditable conduct, dereliction of duty being involved in an unauthorised business interest.

He said PC Berry had failed to uphold police values. On January 1, 2015 PC Berry was alleged to have approached a member of Starbucks staff, asking, ‘Where is my new year’s kiss?’ On another occasion, he made a sexually-explicit remark to the same person. PC Berry was said to be a frequent visitor to the coffee shop, where he is also alleged to have made suggestive remarks about the sister of another staff member and made an unsolicited approach to a customer.

Mr Williamson said: “PC Berry’s behaviour made staff feel uncomfortable and intimidated. One member of staff said of him, ‘I think he is just an old pervert’.”