³ÉÈËÂÛ̳

A Devon and Cornwall Police officer who was jailed for sexually assaulting a woman has been dismissed from the force.

Simon Mitchell was convicted of one count of sexual assault on a woman.

Mitchell, who had denied the offence but was found guilty, was sentenced to three years in prison on 31 October and became a registered sex offender for life.

The force said it held a disciplinary hearing at its headquarters in Exeter which determined Mitchell’s actions amounted to gross misconduct due to discreditable conduct and he was dismissed without notice.

Acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell said: “Simon Mitchell’s actions have brought a total discredit to the police service.

"Trust and integrity are basic requirements of behaviour we expect from our officers.

“The conviction is a very serious matter.

"Violence against women and girls is quite rightly highlighted as a serious societal issue and a sexual assault on a female of this nature is entirely inconsistent with the expectation clearly held by the public in terms of how an officer should conduct themselves, on or off duty."

Mitchell's details will be submitted to the College of Policing Barred List, preventing him from working within policing, the force added.

Follow ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Devon on , and . Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk, external.