A HAMPSHIRE police officer has ‘betrayed public trust’ after being found guilty of misconduct in public office in connection to sending ‘sexualised’ messages to teenage girls.

PC Keith Burgess, a neighbourhood officer, was convicted of two counts of misconduct in public office, over ‘inappropriate’ behaviour with 16 and 17-year-old girls from 2014 and 2015.

National children’s protection charity the NSPCC has said that the 42-year-old betrayed public trust.

A statement from the NSPCC said: “As a serving police officer, Burgess betrayed the trust placed in him, not only by his victims and their families but by his colleagues and the general public.

“He has been brought to justice thanks to the courage shown by his victims and they should be commended for speaking out.”

PC Burgess was convicted on Wednesday at Guildford Crown Court, but was cleared of other offences including sexually assaulting a 16-year-old in the kitchen of her home, while her mother sat in the next room.

Deputy chief constable Sara Glen said: “We demand the highest standards from all our police officers and staff and the public can rightly expect us to robustly investigate any abuse of their position and power.

“Many of the families he met in the course of his policing duty looked to him for help and support during their times of need.

"They welcomed him into their homes and trusted him to help, but he betrayed that trust in the most appalling way.”

“There is no place in policing for those who ignore their professional duty and moral responsibility.”

The 42-year-old, who was based at Southampton Central police station, was dismissed by Hampshire Constabulary for matters unrelated to the case, and has appealed his dismissal.

When asked about Mr Burgess’ pension, police said that the financial details of any individual is confidential by law under the Data Protection Act.

Judge Jonathan Black told the defendant:”You must realise you face a prison sentence for these matters.

“That means I need a report from the probation service both on the impact of a prison sentence and the probable length of such sentence.”

Mr Burgess has been released on unconditional bail ahead of his sentencing at Guildford Crown Court on June 30.