A WEST Midlands Police officer has been sacked for attempting to pursue personal relationships with four female victims of domestic abuse.

PC Colin Noble has been dismissed with immediate effect after an eight-day misconduct hearing concluded today (Monday April 19).

The panel heard how Noble, an officer of 20 years - with three years spent in the Public Protection Unit, had used his position to visit a victim of domestic abuse in her home on several occasions from June 2017.

When the woman became uneasy with his behaviour, she began to record their conversations which contained wholly inappropriate sexualised comments and advances. Noble continued to visit and phone the woman even when he had no policing reason to do so, the force said.

In August that year, the woman complained and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) began an independent investigation which resulted in Noble being charged with misconduct in a public office.

He appeared at Birmingham Crown Court in June 2018 but was found not guilty after a trial.

However, publicity of the case prompted two further women to come forward who said they had experienced similar advances from Noble who was posted to a non-public facing role while the force investigated.

The allegations were not enough to bring a criminal prosecution, but the IOPC deemed his behaviour amounted to gross misconduct and a hearing was set.

The panel heard testimony from four women and the case for gross misconduct was proven and Noble, aged 50, was dismissed with immediate effect.

Deputy Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said: “PC Noble is not representative of our organisation.

“The behaviour he carried out will never be acceptable or tolerated in this organisation whose core value is to prevent crime, protect the public and help those in need. We will be relentless in routing out individuals who behave in this way.

“I am pleased that PC Noble has now been dismissed from the force but remain saddened by his actions."

Anyone who has been a victim of harassment or unwanted sexual attention is urged to visit https://west-midlands.police.uk/your-options/harassment https://west-midlands.police.uk/your-options/harassment for advice on what to do.

Further advice is available online at victimsupport.org.uk/crime-info/types-crime/sexual-harassment/.