A POLICE officer has lost his job after having a fight outside a pub whilst off duty.

PC Anthony Simpson, of Cleveland Police, was convicted of a public order offence in July at Newcastle Magistrates' Court following a fight outside the Red Lion pub in Stockton earlier this year.

PC Simpson, who had spent the last decade at the force, had been thrown out of the pub by bar staff but had tried to return on two occasions.

He ended up getting involved in a fight with "several others" outside the pub, where he and others in the group sustained injuries.

PC Simpson then left the scene and was stopped later by a police car.

After being convicted, he was given a one-year community order with rehabilitation activity, and was ordered to pay £300 costs with an £85 surcharge.

It is understood that PC Simpson has appealed against his conviction

Cleveland Police chief constable Mike Veale said PC Simpson's actions amounted to gross misconduct during the special case hearing at Cleveland Fire Brigade headquarters in Hartlepool yesterday morning.

He also said PC Simpson, who did not attend the hearing, had "tarnished the trust and confidence" in Cleveland Police.

PC Simpson had denied using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour during the incident in Stockton, which happened on Saturday, January 27.

He pleaded not guilty on May 10 at Bedlington Magistrates' Court, but was convicted after a trial at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on July 23.

In reaching his decision, Mr Veale said he had reviewed reports, details, and CCTV footage of the night in question, as well as witness statements from the incident.

"Because there has been a criminal offence, the evidence is incontrovertible - there was a breach of standards of professional behaviour.

"The criminal conviction was sufficiently serious to amount to gross misconduct."

PC Simpson, who worked in the Redcar & Cleveland area, joined Cleveland Police in January 2008 and passed his sergeant examinations in March and October 2013.

The hearing heard he had been an "enthusiastic" officer and had "worked hard", but there were times when he had been "lacklustre".

Mr Veale said: "The incident was serious - he has brought the police into disrepute.

"His actions have tarnished the trust and confidence of the public in Cleveland Police.

"When a police officer has a criminal conviction, we have to treat it with the utmost seriousness."

PC Simpson was dismissed without notice and will be notified within five days.