A Metropolitan Police detective from Kent who sexually assaulted two women in their own homes while on duty has today been jailed for a year.

DC Clifford Earl, 57, molested a vulnerable and distressed innocent woman after police had arrested her partner in a dawn raid, having remained behind alone to comfort her and take a statement.

The married father-of-two, of Harvey Drive, Sittingbourne, also kissed and begged another woman for sex in her own kitchen - while touching himself - after she went to police for help to solve the violent theft of her 11-year-old son's bike.

Earl's wife of 33 years was suffering with bowel cancer and chronic leukaemia at the time of the offences, the court heard.

Judge Michael Gledhill said the sentence at Southwark Crown Court was an "act of mercy" because of his wife's ongoing illness and berated him for his behaviour.

Earl will serve six months before being released on licence.

The court heard both offences were committed in 2011 but Earl, who worked out of Walworth police station in east London, was only charged in January this year.

He admitted two charges of sexual assault at a court hearing in May.

The court heard he was sacked by the Metropolitan Police last week after a career of 33 years.