A POLICE officer has been sacked after being found guilty of assault by beating.

PC Ben Howes was dismissed today with immediate effect after a special case hearing with Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Francis Habgood.

The misconduct hearing comes after Howes was found guilty by a jury at Basingstoke Magistrates Court on August 15 of one count of assault by beating.

It happened on May 17 when the officer was off-duty.

He was given a community order and a restraining order was made to protect his victim.

Deputy Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police John Campbell said: “PC Howes has been dismissed from Thames Valley Police with immediate effect. "He had been found guilty of a crime and given the circumstances it is unacceptable for him to continue serve with the force."