A Metropolitan Police officer has pleaded guilty to misconduct after he had sex on duty with a woman he was meant to be helping.

Pc James Formby, 31, and a colleague responded to a suspected domestic abuse incident in Bromley last September.

He stayed with the woman while a man was taken to a police station. He engaged in sexual activity with the woman, who had been drinking.

Formby, who has been suspended from the force, will be sentenced on 1 March.

The officer, based at Bromley Police station, pleaded guilty to one charge of misconduct in public office at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday.

'Vulnerable and scared'

The investigation was carried out by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) following a referral from the Met.

IPCC Commissioner Rachel Cerfontyne said: "Police officers hold a unique position of trust in the eyes of the public and it is disgraceful that Pc Formby abused that trust in this case.

"He should have been supporting a woman who was vulnerable and scared, but instead he exploited the situation and his behaviour was completely inappropriate."

A police spokesman said Pc Formby had been suspended pending disciplinary hearings, which will take place after sentencing.

Det Insp Ralph Hyde, from the Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS), said: "Officers from the Met's DPS conducted a thorough investigation which was managed by the IPCC.

"Undoubtedly it is at least partly as a result of this thorough investigation that today's guilty plea was given.

"It is important to remember that the majority of officers and staff act with professionalism and integrity."