PC David Elliott, 31, of Cheshire Police, was found guilty after a six-day trial by unanimous decision of the jury at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday.

Elliott was convicted of trying to drag a female officer into the bedroom of his home in Crewe, Cheshire, while they were on patrol together.

He also assaulted a female prisoner in cells, two women civilian Cheshire police employees and a petrol station attendant.

Cell attack

Elliott, who lives with his girlfriend, was sentenced to two years for an incident involving a woman who had been detained in cells following a nightclub brawl.

After releasing her from cells, he pressed against the woman, and tried to kiss her while grabbing her buttocks.

He was given a further six months for kissing a petrol station attendant, and two months for each of the other assaults, all to run concurrently.

Elliott lifted the skirt of a civilian worker at his Cheshire police station after walking her home, and also tried to kiss her.

'Doubly unpleasant' sentence

The woman, who cannot be named, described how he came in for a glass of water, then pulled up her skirt and started kissing her.

"He didn't seem to feel he'd done anything wrong. It was as if it was what men usually did," she said.

He also tried to pull a second woman into a lift with him at the station while making sexually suggestive comments.

Representing Elliott, lawyer Campbell Tait asked Judge Gerard Humphries to take into account the fact that his client would face a difficult time in prison.

"The sentence you will impose will be doubly unpleasant for him by virtue of the nature of the offences of which he has been convicted and the career he has hitherto followed," he said.

'Below standard'

The judge said he had passed the lowest term possible, based on Elliott's good references.

Speaking after sentencing, Cheshire Assistant Chief Constable John Dwyer said: "We have an individual who has been positively dealt with, who was not of the standard expected by our officers.

"We have shown as a force we are prepared to deal with people who let the side down.

"It is quite clear that any organisation - be it police or any other - will have its problem people. This officer was a problem person. He has been properly dealt with."

Elliott is expected to serve at least 12 months in jail before being eligible for parole.