A MARRIED police officer has been sacked after he sent an indecent photograph to a potentially vulnerable person whilst on duty during a rape trial.

PC Christopher Lintern accepted that he breached professional standards when he sent the image, it was heard at a misconduct hearing on Friday, March 17.

He is said to have embarked on a secret relationship with a woman referred to as X, who he met in 2015 whilst investigating her complaint of domestic violence at the hands of her ex-partner.

The hearing found that Lintern entered into an intimate relationship with the woman within six weeks of the investigation concluding.

In spring/summer 2016, he sent an indecent image to the woman while on duty at Bristol Crown Court, where he was a witness in an attempted rape trial.

Lintern has since been dismissed without notice for his actions following a misconduct hearing.

It was found that prior to the start of the relationship, Lintern understood that X was affected by the behaviour of her ex-boyfriend and was particularly vulnerable as a result.

Findings of the panel, which can be read here, said: “The damage caused by PC Lintern’s corruption is plain for all to see.

“In the course of his work he met a vulnerable young victim who was trying to move on from an abusive past relationship.

“She was doing this with some bravery and resilience.

“The improper relationship with PC Lintern and subsequent investigation has caused X significant setbacks.

“While she was not aware of the impropriety of his actions and the certainty that they would lead to investigation if discovered, PC Lintern was, or should have been.”

Responding to the allegations, Lintern said that other police officers who displayed similar behaviour had been dealt with as a misconduct, rather than a gross misconduct, and asked for consistency to be applied to his situation.

He added that X was not vulnerable when he first met her, nor was she vulnerable at any time during their relationship. 

Speaking at the hearing, X said that she was a willing and equal partner in the relationship and that she knew about Lintern's wife and family.

She added that she did not consider herself in the least vulnerable.

Deputy Chief Constable Gareth Morgan praised Lintern’s colleagues for reporting his actions.

"I welcome the decision of the independent misconduct panel to dismiss Christopher Lintern with immediate effect.

"He has betrayed the trust placed in him by the public and exploited a vulnerable victim of crime. There is no place for him in policing.

"I am grateful to the colleagues who reported this matter for their professionalism and integrity and to the investigators who brought this case to a hearing.

"In contrast to Christopher Lintern they truly represent the values and professionalism of the officers and staff who proudly serve the public in Avon and Somerset.”