A former Swindon police officer has pleaded guilty to four charges which centre on an inappropriate sexual relationship with a vulnerable woman.

PC Darren Thorn, 44, who now lives in Devon, pleaded guilty to one charge of corruption, two charges of computer misuse and one charge of misconduct in a public office.

The charges relate to a period between June 2017 and June 2018 when Thorn started a sexual relationship with a vulnerable woman he met while on duty. 

They include accessing police computer systems in order to obtain personal data about members of the public and passing on confidential policing information.

Thorn worked as a response officer in Swindon and was arrested in 2018 when the allegations came to light and suspended from the force.

He appeared at Reading Crown Court today and has been released on unconditional bail until his sentencing on February 4.

The investigation was carried out by Wiltshire Police, supervised by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

A public gross misconduct hearing will be held next month now court proceedings are complete.

Deputy Chief Constable Paul Mills said: “Upon becoming aware of these matters, PC Thorn was arrested and immediately suspended from duty.

“Following today’s guilty pleas, we will now commence a public gross misconduct hearing. At the conclusion of these proceedings, the force will release a full statement concerning this case.”