A SERVING police officer ‘sexted crime victims he met in the course of his duties’, a court heard.

Ihsan Ali appeared at Preston Magistrates’ Court charged with misconduct in a public office — along with further charges relating to two vulnerable women.

Ali, a response officer with Lancashire Constabulary’s East Division, which covers East Lancashire, was arrested in April following an investigation by the force’s Professional Standards Unit.

The 40-year-old was immediately suspended from duty.

It is alleged between May 26 and April 8, while acting as a police officer, Ali used his police issue smartphone to befriend women to whom he was assigned to in the course of his duties.

He went on to use his personal mobile to send sexual messages to them, the court heard.

In further charges, Ali is accused of kissing one of the women and squeezing her bottom.

Ali, from Bacup, is also accused of visiting one of the women’s homes.

Appearing in the witness box wearing a dark suit and pale yellow tie, he spoke only to confirm his identity to the court.

He did not enter any plea to the charges which magistrates said were so serious they can only be dealt with in the crown court.

Magistrates committed the case to Preston Crown Court where Ali will appear for a preliminary hearing on August 29.

Until then he has been granted bail on the condition he does not contact any woman he dealt with in his capacity as a police officer.

Following his arrest, a spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary, said: “PC Ihsan Ali, who is based in east division, was arrested in April, following an investigation by Lancashire Constabulary’s Professional Standards Department.

"PC Ali has been charged with the offence of Misconduct in a Public Office which relates to allegations of inappropriate contact with female victims of crime.”