A Cheshire Police officer has been sentenced for harassing his ex-wife after posting pictures of her on a 'swingers' dating website without her consent.

Alan Friday, 42, then went on to 'bombard' his ex-wife with phone calls to stop her from reporting him.

He committed the offence while he was a serving police officer, posing as the woman in the picture on the 'Fab-Swingers' website and talking to men.

When he was caught out, Friday, who is from Liverpool, then emailed his ex-wife in an attempt to stop her from calling the police.

The Crown Prosecution Service said that after she told him not to contact her, he bombarded her and her family with phone calls and repeatedly visited a family address where he knew she would be.

Friday was convicted of harassment following a trial at Wigan Magistrates Court, where he was sentenced today, Tuesday.

He received a two-year community order, along with 20 rehabilitation activity days, attendance at a Building Better Relationships programme and 100 hours of unpaid work.

He was also made subject to a two-year restraining order.

District Crown Prosecutor Chris Maloney, of CPS Mersey Cheshire, said: “Alan Friday had a responsible and trusted position as an officer with Cheshire Police.

“Despite that, he abused his ex-wife’s trust and used her image in circumstances when he knew or should have known that she would have objected to.

“On being found out he desperately tried to prevent her from doing something which she was perfectly entitled to do – tell the police.

“His actions caused serious distress to the victim and the Crown Prosecution Service would like to thank her for her courage in helping us bring this prosecution.

“Society places a great deal of trust in police officers. Alan Friday betrayed that trust and is now facing the consequences.  He has only himself to blame.”

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: "We are aware of the sentence handed Alan Friday who was previously convicted of harassment.

"This relates to an investigation by Merseyside Police.

"At this stage it would be inappropriate for us to comment further due ongoing misconduct proceedings.

"Friday remains suspended from duty at the current time."