A crime scene investigator with a "tattoo fetish" has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two women.

Kevin Dowley, 62, targeted the women who were victims of crimes he was investigating and touched them inappropriately.

After a two-week trial, a jury found him guilty of both counts by a majority of 10 to two.

The first incident took place in in July 2016 and involved a vulnerable burglary victim who also had a tattoo.

During one of the visits to her home, he joked to her about her hot pants before commenting on a tattoo.

Prosecutor Emma Nash told Basildon Crown Court Dowley, who worked for Essex Police, said he had a tattoo fetish.

On a separate visit, he approached the victim in her bedroom before running his palm along her dungarees and making contact with her skin before reaching down inside her clothing to her "pubic area".

The vulnerable woman, who was struggling with drug addiction, pushed him away and told him to leave but Dowley returned after she reported another burglary.

In the second incident, which took place at Grays police station, Dowley pulled down the tights of a pregnant domestic violence victim and tried to kiss her while photographing her injuries.

The victim told the court he made her feel "disgusting" as he asked her about her tattoo and removed her leggings to see it in full, which she did not give him permission to do.

The mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said he also tried to kiss her on the cheek as he was leaving.

Dowley joined Essex Police as a CSI in 2013 after a long career with the Metropolitan Police as a police officer where his defence say he had an "exceptional record".

Defence barrister Paul Evans added Dowley may come across as "creepy" due to having a hearing difficulty which meant he gets close to people and focuses on their face to understand them.

He told the jury the women were either "fantasists", "confused" or "deliberately dishonest".

However jurors disbelieved him and found Dowley, of Burgess Avenue, Stanford-le-Hope, guilty on both counts.

The case was adjourned until November 19, when he will return to the same court to be sentenced.

After the hearing, Assistant Chief Constable Nick Downing, head of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “We expect all of our employees to be professional at all times and not to use their position to take advantage of others.  

“These women deserved the utmost respect and compassion, but instead Kevin Dowley assaulted them when they were at their most vulnerable.

“We take all allegations of sexual assault very seriously, regardless of who they’re made against.

“I would like to thank the victims for coming forward and praise their courage throughout this process.”

Dowley is due to be sentenced at a later date.

A misconduct process will take place following sentencing.