DORSET Police say Matthew Cherry’s actions have “deeply shocked” officers and staff.

Senior investigating officer DI Stewart Balmer said: “This was a dreadful and calculated attack on a pregnant woman, made all the more chilling because Cherry was a police officer at the time he planned and carried out this shocking assault.”

He said Cherry used his police knowledge in an attempt to throw detectives off his trail.

But DI Balmer added that it was testament to the hard work of the investigation team and Miss Craft’s bravery that his “dishonest and wicked behaviour was exposed to the jury”.

Deputy chief constable Debbie Simpson said: “The details of this case have deeply shocked police officers and staff across the force. As an organisation committed to serving and protecting our communities it is appalling to discover that one officer’s actions have fallen so very far short of the high standards and behaviour expected.”