A DISGRACED detective has apologised for a “lack of judgement” after advertising himself on adult websites for sex.

Former Detective Constable Richard Holder was found to have a set up a profile on the Adultwork.com where he offered himself as a prostitute and took payments from clients at his home.

The former officer’s conduct was discovered and he resigned from his post before facing a disciplinary hearing at Sussex Police Headquarters in Lewes.

He faced charges of offering services to perform sexual acts for remuneration, which included using his home address, inciting prostitution for gain, and controlling prostitution for gain.

But he chose not to attend the hearing, and instead resigned from the force, only adding a brief statement for Sussex Police Federation chairman Matt Webb to read out.

Mr Webb said: “He fully admits all of the allegations set out against him. He took a pragmatic approach to these proceedings and has resigned. He asked me to express his apologies for his lack of judgment.”

Chief Constable Giles York said the former detective’s actions amounted to gross misconduct and added that people would be “amazed” if the officer was allowed to keep his job.

Mr Holder was described as a poor performer and had a history of being off work with bouts of sickness. He had not been on duty for a “considerable period” when his adult sex profile was found.

Chief Con York added: “From his career profile he seems to have never been an officer of any great glory.”

In December 2016, Hastings-based police constable Daniel Moss was dismissed with immediate effect at a disciplinary hearing after he was caught advertising himself online as a male prostitute and offered to perform sex acts for cash.