A POLICE officer has been sacked for "betraying" the forces trust following a misconduct hearing.

PC Matthew Oaten, who was based at Banbury police station, was today dismissed without notice at a special case hearing before chief constable Francis Habgood.

PC Oaten was found to have breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour respect of 'Discreditable Conduct' and 'Confidentially'.

He accessed police logs for which there was no legitimate policing purpose for which for him to do so.

The breaches took place between February and May 2015.

In addition PC Oaten sent sensitive police information via email to someone who did not work for for the force.

These breaches occurred on 10 February 2013 and 2 August 2013 respectively.

On June 13 he was sentenced at Winchester Crown court after he admitted three counts of computer misuse and two counts of breaching the Data Protection Act.

Oaten was sentenced to 150 hours community service and £1,000 costs at Winchester Crown Court.

Det Ch Insp Matt Stone of Thames Valley Police Professional Standards Department said: "Our staff are expected to manage information in accordance with legislation and our policies, and adherence to these are vital to maintain public confidence and trust.

"PC Oaten betrayed that trust by accessing data for a non-policing purpose on a number of occasions.

"Following an investigation by the Professional Standards Department, these breaches were so severe that the CPS brought criminal proceedings leading to his conviction at Winchester Crown Court and subsequent dismissal from Thames Valley Police.

"The overwhelming majority of our staff recognise the legal and ethical expectations of managing information we are entrusted with and I hope that today's outcome reinforces the seriousness in which we view this responsibility."