Image caption James Bowes passed on information to the Sun in return for cash

A former policeman is facing jail after admitting selling information to the Sun newspaper.

James Bowes, 30, from Steyning, West Sussex, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to one count of misconduct in public office.

Bowes, who was a police sergeant on the Sussex Police neighbourhood policing team, was accused of passing on details of three high-profile investigations in 2010 in return for £500.

Sentencing is expected on 9 May.

Bowes, who was released on unconditional bail, is the fourth police officer to be convicted as part of Operation Elveden, Scotland Yard's investigation into alleged corrupt payments to public officials.

Mr Justice Fulford warned him that the fact he had been given bail was "no indication of disposal".

The BBC's home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said the other police officers convicted as part of the same investigation were given prison terms ranging from 10 to 15 months.

No details of the case were given during the short hearing.

Afterwards, Sussex Police issued a statement saying the highest personal and professional standards were expected of all staff and any allegations of behaviour which did not meet those standards would be rigorously investigated.

Deputy Chief Constable Giles York said: "On being made aware of the investigation into James Bowes in August 2012, Sussex Police immediately suspended him and following an internal disciplinary hearing the following month, he was dismissed for gross misconduct."

In total, more than 60 people have been arrested as part of Operation Elveden, which is being run alongside two other police investigations.

Operation Weeting is an inquiry into alleged phone hacking, while Operation Tuleta is an investigation into computer hacking and other privacy breaches.