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Police chiefs branded a detective’s behaviour “despicable” after he admitted making repeated sexual advances to domestic abuse victims.

Michael McMillan, 32, used his position in Merseyside Police’s Family Crime Investigation Unit to persistently contact five women for his own “sexual purposes”.

McMillan, of Victoria Road, Crosby , appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today, where he pleaded guilty to five counts of misconduct in a public office.

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Cooke said: “McMillan’s behaviour as an officer is beyond comprehension.

“He was in a position of trust in the Family Crime Investigation Unit and he abused that trust when dealing with vulnerable victims of crime.

“He manipulated women who looked to him for professional support for his own sexual gratification and his behaviour is despicable and unforgivable.

“It is vital that we as a police force maintain the public’s trust and confidence and ensure that officers and staff throughout the force realise the importance of maintaining standards and working with honesty and integrity.

“We cannot afford to have officers and staff working for us who do not uphold the highest levels of professionalism, honesty and integrity and will always be robust in dealing with officers, or staff, whose conduct is unacceptable.”

The charges relate to McMillan contacting the domestic abuse victims between June 2011 and June 2014.

Merseyside Police said they followed a “thorough and extensive investigation” by the force’s Anti Corruption Unit (ACU), managed by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

McMillan was suspended from duty when he was arrested and will now face a misconduct hearing.

DCC Cooke said: “The majority of people who work for Merseyside Police do a really good job day in, day out, and joined the force to serve our communities with compassion and integrity.

“Sadly the actions of McMillan have the propensity to seriously undermine the good work of the majority.

“The public quite rightly have high expectations of police officers and Merseyside Police is committed to meeting those expectations by demanding high standards of professionalism, honesty and integrity.”

The court heard McMillan suffers from bipolar disorder and lawyers representing the detective requested a psychiatric report.

Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, agreed to adjourn sentencing until March 11, but warned McMillan of the “inevitability of a significant sentence of imprisonment”.

He remanded McMillan on bail, with the condition that he does not contact any of his victims.