A FORMER Gwent Police officer has pleaded guilty to entering into sexual relationships with two women he met while on duty.

Paul Chadwick, 51, of Churchwood, Griffithstown, Pontypool, admitted two counts of misconduct in public office amounting to an abuse of public trust.

Newport Crown Court heard how the ex-police constable had affairs with both women after meeting them separately while working for the Gwent force.

The sexual encounters with the first woman took place between January 14 and April 14 last year.

The officer then had a second sexual relationship with another woman in May.

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After entering the defendant entered his guilty pleas this morning, Judge Jeremy Jenkins adjourned the case to December 13 for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

He told him: "You have pleaded guilty to two serious counts as I am sure you are aware."

Chadwick was represented by Susan Ferrier and the prosecution by Roger Griffiths.

The defendant was granted unconditional bail.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct investigated Chadwick following a referral by Gwent Police.

When Chadwick appeared in Newport Magistrates’ Court last month it emerged that on November 24, 2020, one woman was found on "the wrong side of railings over a road”.

After being persuaded to the right side of the railings, officers in attendance found the "root cause of her distress" to be that she had entered into a sexual relationship with a serving officer.

A subsequent investigation into these claims reportedly identified the officer as PC Chadwick.

The court heard that he had come into contact with the woman professionally when she was reported missing.

The pair then entered into a sexual relationship.

Inquiries into Chadwick led to them discovering the officer had a second sexual relationship with another woman, again whom he had also met through work.

Outside the court, Gwent Police's Deputy Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman said: “As soon as we became aware of the allegations against Paul Chadwick, we referred the investigation to the Independent Office of Police Conduct in line with standard procedure.

“Every day the vast majority of our officers work hard to deliver an excellent service and to build the confidence of our communities. 

“Individuals like Chadwick let their colleagues and communities down by not upholding our high standards of behaviour that the force and public expects from police officers.

"There is no place for this type of behaviour in Gwent Police.”