A police officer who described a female shoplifter he arrested as a "nut nut" and put a picture of a cannabis factory on the internet without permission has been booted out of Kent Police.

Thanet-based PC Karl Charnick, 45, did not turn up for the hearing on Monday at the police headquarters in Maidstone.

He had previously admitted gross misconduct in a letter to the tribunal, which was going to decide his fate.

Presenting counsel Sarah Ellis QC said Charnick told a friend that another arrested shoplifter was a “whibble”.

The derogatory remarks came to light when Charnick was arrested after an incident in Westgate-on-Sea in April.

Charges against him were dropped through lack of evidence but while he was on bail he twice broke conditions not to contact witnesses.

"This officer has little regard for the feelings of mentally ill people he comes into contact with. He has betrayed force standards" - temporary assistant chief constable Steve Worron

During that investigation, police became aware of the messages and pictures on his phone.

When questioned, Charnick maintained that the messages were private.

One of them showed cannabis plants being grown in a tent at an address in Ramsgate.

Temporary assistant chief constable Steve Worron said the unauthorised distribution of the picture could have compromised a major drug investigation.

On each message Charnick signed off “LOL” or “laugh out loud” which was considered proof he was not worried where the cannabis images would turn up.

Mr Worron said it was not credible that the picture would not go further. He said some of the language used was offensive.

He said: “This was a breach of the code that all police forces stand by. He was not acting fairly and he was not impartial.

“This officer compromised his position and failed to act professionally. This was discreditable conduct which could undermine the public’s trust in the force.

“He sent a picture, and made remarks which were against police policy and practice and his own training. The public have the right to expect the highest standards. This was a complete disregard of those standards.

“This officer has little regard for the feelings of mentally ill people he comes into contact with.

"He has betrayed force standards. There is no evidence that this officer has been remorseful. Given his total lack of engagement there is no way this officer should remain on the force.”

Charnick was dismissed without notice.