A MET Police officer has pleaded guilty to a charge of misconduct in public office.

Bromley-based PC James Formby admitted the offence when he appeared at Southwark Crown Court today (January 26).

He was charged following an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission after a woman alleged he engaged in sexual activity with her while on duty.

The charge related to an incident on September 19 last year when PC Formby went to the home of the woman, who is in her 20s, in response to a report of a domestic disturbance.

IPCC commissioner Rachel Cerfontyne said: "Victims of crime must be able to call the police and rely on being dealt with professionally and properly at all times.

"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."

The 31-year-old is due to be sentenced on March 1.