A POLICE officer who struck a 17-year-old girl with his elbow while she was handcuffed at Basildon Hospital would have been sacked if he didn’t resign, a misconduct panel has ruled.

Former police constable Toby Bailey left his victim with “severe headaches” and unable to sleep after the incident, a misconduct panel heard.

The girl was handcuffed at the time and had been detained under the mental health act and taken to hospital.

During the misconduct hearing, the officer claimed he was acting in self-defence when he delivered the blow because the girl was “trying to bite him” after becoming verbally aggressive.

However, in a recorded police interview, the girl said “at no point was she trying to attack Mr Bailey” or the three other officers in attendance.

The hearing, held by legally qualified chair Andrew Hearn, ruled that Bailey had committed gross misconduct and breached standards of professional behaviour relating to use of force, authority, respect and courtesy, discreditable conduct.

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Prophet said: “At a time when ex-PC Bailey should have been showing patience, respect and compassion, he failed to do so. Instead of calming and diffusing a challenging situation, his actions meant the situation escalated.

“Very simply, his actions were completely unacceptable and fell well below what is expected of every Essex Police officer.

“We are a force which prides itself on our ability to ensure we are bringing the right people into our organisation and stopping the wrong people from joining. Sadly, there are occasions when people within the force let the public down and let their colleagues down.

“I hope this outcome shows all our communities that we will never hesitate to take robust action when it is required.”

The misconduct hearing panel ruled that the officer would have been dismissed without notice had he not already resigned.

Bailey resigned on January 4, seven days before the misconduct hearing was scheduled to begin.