A police officer is due in court after reportedly sending inappropriate texts to a witness.

Margate-based constable Jake Sales has been charged with misconduct in public office following an investigation.

The 29-year-old PC is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court after being referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) by Kent Police.

PC Sales is alleged to have been caught sending inappropriate messages from his work phone to a witness he had met during the course of his duties.

He has also been charged with forgery after allegedly writing an inaccurate witness statement, and falsifying an electronic signature on a separate statement he drafted on behalf of another witness.

An IOPC spokesperson said: “We began our investigation in March 2021 after we received a conduct referral from Kent Police.

“In December 2021 we completed our investigation and sent a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised the charges.”

PC Sales appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, September 4.

He was bailed to appear at Southwark Crown Court on October 4.