A former police sergeant has been dismissed without notice after he was jailed for 13 years for stalking and raping a woman.

Clive Garton, who was a Kent Police sergeant, from Sittingbourne, with 23 years service, was found guilty of gross misconduct at a fast track misconduct hearing at Kent Police Headquarters in Maidstone this afternoon.

It was chaired by Chief Constable Alan Pughsley.

The panel heard how, in October 2016, officers received an allegation that Garton had raped a woman and attempted to dissuade her from involving police.

They also heard how he had previously harassed his victim and placed listening devices in her home.

Garton was suspended following his arrest in October 2016 and, once a guilty verdict had been returned at Lewes Crown Court in Sussex in May, he was no longer paid by the force.

The 56-year-old, who was found guilty of rape, perverting the course of justice and conduct that amounted to stalking, was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment on June 26 – although the misconduct process to dismiss him was not permitted to begin until after sentencing.

After today's hearing, superintendent Nick Gossett said: "The vast majority of Kent Police officers act with utmost integrity and represent a force that the public should have confidence in.

"In this rare instance an officer has been found guilty of committing serious offences and the force did not hesitate in instantly making an arrest and building a case against him.

"When wrongdoing is reported against officers, there is no leeway given.

"Our Professional Standards Department will conduct a full investigation and present their findings in an open and transparent process to ensure that the public can rightfully have faith in their police service."