A MAN has been cautioned for harassing a police officer online.

The 54-year-old had been posting comments on the Echo website claiming to be PC Nick Burton, formerly of the Leigh focus team.

Many of the comments were critical of the police.

This prompted an internal investigation which revealed these had not been posted by the real PC Burton.

This led to a criminal investigation, which found they had been posted by a man in Benfleet who was a former officer with Essex Police.

He was arrested on Saturday April 14 and cautioned.

Martin McNeill, editorial director, Newsquest Essex, said: "The user posting under the name of the police officer made various comments about Essex Police which were sometimes critical and outspoken.

"However, as far as our records show, the officer did not make us aware of his concerns. We had no reason to believe the comments posted in his name were not genuine.

"As soon as the Echo was made aware of Essex Police's criminal investigation, just a few months ago, we took action to ban the user and gave Essex Police the information they requested."