Police Scotland has apologised to a male domestic abuse victim for his treatment by Angus officers.

The force’s professional standards Department in Glasgow upheld the complaint and blasted PC Kirsty Hawkes for being “rude and unprofessional”.

The victim said it was “abhorrent” that it has taken Police Scotland nine months to apologise for what he described as “needless pantomime behaviour”.

Angus area commander David McIntosh was one of three Angus police officers slated for their handling of the man’s initial complaint by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc).

The man went to Arbroath police station to report harassment after a woman posted his address on Facebook but was told it was “not a police matter”.

His protest that PC Hawkes was dismissive, rude and unprofessional was thrown out by Mr McIntosh, who denied his colleague had called the man a frequent complainer.

But Pirc said Mr McIntosh’s statement was “entirely at odds with the evidence available”.

The professional standards department has concluded its own investigation into the recommendations which were made by Pirc.

Chief Inspector Derek Hiley told the victim: “The CCTV footage obtained was reviewed and clearly shows that Constable Hawkes was not rude during the majority of her engagement with you.

“However, she is overheard responding to a comment made by you in relation to making a complaint as you were leaving stating, ‘you do that, you like to make complaints’.

“I deem this remark unnecessary, rude and unprofessional and offer you an apology on behalf of Police Scotland. I am in a position to uphold the allegation and will ensure this matter is dealt with through line management to Constable Hawkes.”

A spokesman for Police Scotland’s Tayside Division said the matter had been dealt with.