Dave Edwards (pictured) is accused of groping three female colleagues at a police Christmas party

A drunk police officer groped three female colleagues at a force Christmas party, a misconduct hearing heard.

PC Dave Edwards, 50, was suspended after the allegations last year, which came weeks after he was given a final written warning for allegedly assaulting his wife.

Edwards, from near Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, was out drinking with a group of 40 in December and had become 'extremely intoxicated', according to a witness.

At one point he even needed help going to the toilet because he could barely walk.

The PC for Cumbria Police later 'inappropriately touched' three female colleagues 'on their breasts and buttocks', the hearing in Penrith heard.

Police confirmed the incident, in Ulverston on December 10, was investigated but that Edwards was not prosecuted, due to a lack of evidence and because the victims didn't want to.

Throughout the hearing the accusers were referred to as Officers A, B and C, to preserve their anonymity.

The misconduct hearing panel's chair, Stephen Chappell, said: 'Officer A approached Mr Edwards and asked where his wife was.

'He said they had fallen out at the weekend and hadn't spoken since Saturday. He became more drunk as the evening wore on.'

When the group moved on to a different bar Edwards 'grabbed' Officer A's breast, it was heard.

Another Cumbria Police officer said in a statement: 'In my opinion I saw him touch her breast.'

The second victim said Edwards squeezed her bum while the group were in another bar.

At one point an officer commented on how drunk Edwards was and Officer B said: 'Yeah he grabbed my bum before.'

The third victim, Officer C, said in Edwards was 'struggling to hold himself up' and on 'more than one occasion' he brushed the side of her breasts.

He then made a comment about their size, the hearing heard.

Mr Chappell said: 'She took this in good humour and was accidental. Following on from this Mr Edwards took his left hand and quickly grabbed her right breast.'

After he was suspended Edwards sent a text to Chief Supf Rob O'Connor saying: 'I've only got myself to blame here as I was far too drunk.

'I don't remember anything and I'm absolutely embarrassed, disgusted and ashamed by what I've done.'

Giving evidence at an earlier hearing Edwards said he couldn't remember what had happened but did apologise to his boss, saying he was 'ashamed', a day later.

Following his suspension the PC resigned from the force and his last working day was on Sunday, just the day before the hearing.

The panel ruled the allegations were proven and amounted to gross misconduct, meaning Edwards would have been fired had be still be in employment.

As a result of the hearing the policeman of 11 years has been barred from taking up any position within the force in the future.

Cumbria Police federation chair Paul Williams said: 'This situation has been a very testing time for all involved.

'This includes the victims and officers who have provided written statements in relation to a colleague they worked closely with.

'The decision not to prosecute was based on the wishes of the victims who did not want to seek a prosecution.

'Those reasons are personal to those officers and the wishes of the victims have to be put first which indicates the lack of evidence for criminal proceedings.'