A DARTFORD police sergeant has been found guilty of flashing at a group of elderly women while visiting his father at an old people's home.

Andrew Chatfield, 45, of Seven Acres, New Ash Green, denied indecently exposing himself at Old Downs Residential Home, in Hartley, in March last year.

He was convicted after a two-day trial at Maidstone Magistrates Court.

Chatfield, a custody sergeant at Tonbridge police station, claimed the zip of his trousers came undone accidentally as he sat down, and he was too fat to notice.

At the time, Chatfield “strenuously” denied deliberately exposing himself even though he had been caught on camera with his penis out facing a group of elderly women.

Kent police fitted the cameras after staff at the home approached them about the married father-of-two's conduct at Old Downs residential home.

He had been warned four months previously about his flies coming undone while he was at the home.

The sergeant, who had been with the police for 26 years and received two certificates of merit, was immediately suspended and an investigation was launched by Gravesend officers.

Magistrates convicted the 21-stone policeman after hearing evidence from a police tailor with 22 years' experience, Barbara Kilbourne, that it was extremely unlikely the zip on Chatfield's green corduroys could have come undone by accident.

Magistrates were also shown the CCTV video of Chatfield exposing himself at the care home.

Prosecuting, Sarah Jones said: “Mr Chatfield enters the room with his father and his trousers are done up.

“He sits down and a few moments later, with his penis protruding from his trousers, stands up and turns towards the ladies. Pulling his trousers out he shows no apparent surprise, pulls his zip up and leaves the room.”

Speaking after the trial, residential home manager Alan Sanderson said: “Justice has been done. I have to protect the welfare of the people who live here and I would do it again if necessary.”

The case was adjourned until May 10 for sentencing. Once sentence has been pronounced Chatfield faces a police disciplinary hearing.