A former special constable, who lives in Oakham, and was convicted of having indecent images of children, resigned from Northamptonshire Police before he faced disciplinary action, it has emerged.

Courtney Ravenscroft, 24, who served across the county, was subject to a fast-track gross misconduct hearing just before Christmas.

This follows him being convicted before Northampton Magistrates' Court last year.

He resigned before the December 17 hearing, which was chaired by chief constable Nick Adderley.

In a statement issued this week, Northamptonshire Police said on August 3, 2020 his conduct breached standards of professional behaviour in respect of his conviction for criminal offences before Northampton Magistrates Court.

They were for making a Category B indecent image of a child during December 27 2012 and October 31 2014 and making a Category C indecent image of a child over the same period.

Ravenscroft, of Primrose Close in Oakham, Rutland, was sentenced on September 25 after pleading guilty to the charges and magistrates sentenced him to a community order with 100 hours of unpaid work.

He would also be put on the register for sex offenders for five years.

Consequently, Northamptonshire Police charged Ravenscroft charged with gross misconduct as such conduct 'tends to do significant damage to the reputation of Northamptonshire Police.'

The police statement added: "The former special constable had resigned from Northamptonshire Police prior to the hearing being held, and did not attend the hearing.

"The Chief Constable considered the available evidence and found the allegations proven and amounting to Gross Misconduct.

"The Chief Constable determined that, had the former special constable still been a serving officer, he would have been dismissed without notice."