Police Officer Corey Alvey who had sex with a “vulnerable” teenager he had helped to find after being reported missing has been sacked for gross misconduct.

Corey Alvey, who served in his voluntary role with Lincolnshire Police, was part of a group involved with the search for the teenager after they were reported missing on April 9, 2017.

A police disciplinary hearing heard that the 26-year-old managed to make legitimate contact with the teenager on Snapchat, before more messages were exchanged on Instagram.

However, conversations continued after the teenager returned home before Special Sergeant Alvey eventually had sex with them within 24 hours of the initial search.

Police have asked the media not to report the teenager’s gender.

Matthew Green, for Lincolnshire Police, told the hearing that the subsequent contact via Instagram was “inappropriate, personal and unprofessional”.

Mr Green said: “It is plain that Special Sergeant Alvey knew or believed this could facilitate a personal relationship with HF.

“The messages were sent during the period when Special Sergeant Alvey was both on and off duty.

“Special Sergeant Alvey appears to be supporting and reassuring the teenager in initial parts of the conversation but then the conversation presents as flirtatious.

“Special Sergeant Alvey collected the teenager the following day and they went to the home address of Special Sergeant Alvey where they had sexual intercourse. That was accepted by Special Sergeant Alvey during his misconduct interview.

“The father of the teenager reported that sexual intercourse to the police after the teenager described it to him.”

Mr Green continued: “Special Sergeant Alvey facilitated contact with a member of the public he knew had been reported as a missing person.

“He knew or ought to have known that the teenager was vulnerable. Despite knowing the teenager had been found, Special Sergeant Alvey persisted in contacting them. Messages were exchanged that were unprofessional and inappropriate.

“It is clear that public trust has been seriously damaged by the actions of Special Sergeant Alvey in these circumstances”

Alvey was not present at the hearing.

Insp Phil Clark, of the Police Federation, who represented Alvey, said “He apologises. He intended to be here but he cannot get time off work.

“He accepts the conduct alleged and fully accepts that it amounts to gross misconduct.

“He has asked that I make no representations on his behalf other than to apologise for his conduct.”

Alvey admitted breaching standards of professional behaviour.

Following a 20 minute hearing Lincolnshire Chief Constable Bill Skelly ruled that Alvey should be dismissed without notice.

Mr Skelly said: “What Special Sergeant Alvey did is entirely inconsistent with their role as a warranted officer.

“I am determined that Lincolnshire Police officers will behave both on and off duty in a manner that is consistent with the values and ethics of the police service and which does not bring discredit on our force.

“I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to all those affected by the actions of Special Sergeant Alvey.”