A FORMER Basildon police officer who was found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman after a night out has been jailed for four years.

Steven Tissier, 37, who worked in Basildon, has been sentenced today for four years after being found guilty on two counts of sexual assault and one count of voyeurism.

As part of his sentence, he will be on the sex offenders’ register for life.

The offence took place in March 2022 and related to an assault whilst off duty that was investigated by the Essex Police Professional Standards Department.

Steven Tissier, aged 37, denied the charge but was found guilty in February. 

Back in February, Chelmsford Crown Court heard Tissier took the victim home following a night out and touched her leg, thigh and bottom whilst he thought she was asleep on the sofa on March 10, 2022.

The former officer also sexually assaulted the victim by groping her breast under her top.

During the investigation five short videos were found on Tissier’s phone showing him assaulting the victim. He sent them to a friend a few hours after the victim went home.

Essex Police say the victim cannot be named for legal reasons. 

Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said: “I want to pay tribute to the bravery demonstrated by the victim in the case for coming forward and telling us what happened.

“No-one should have to experience what she has gone through, and she has shown great integrity and dignity throughout the investigation and court case. I have been left disgusted by the actions of Steven Tissier, as has everyone at Essex Police.

“Tissier’s criminal behaviour and his gross misconduct undermines the commitment of the people in Essex Police who work tirelessly every day to protect and serve the people of Essex.

“There is no place for people like Steven Tissier in policing and his actions do not represent the vast majority of good officers and staff in the force.

“I hope that the investigation by Essex Police, the successful prosecution and his prompt dismissal will reassure the public that we hold our integrity and the trust and confidence the people of Essex with the highest regard and that we will act swiftly and decisively to deal with those whose actions undermine that trust.”

Although Tissier had already resigned, he was found to have breached standards of professional behaviour at gross misconduct for unrelated matters at an Accelerated Misconduct Hearing ahead of the trial. 

The hearing chaired by the Chief Constable of Essex Police, Ben-Julian Harrington, found that had he still been serving, he would have been dismissed without notice.

He has also been placed on the College of Policing Barred Register ensuring he cannot re-join policing in any capacity.