A police inspector who had sex while on duty has avoided being sacked.

Inspector Darren Lane had his police radio on while having sex with a woman he was having an affair with when he should have been working, as well as sending sexually explicit pictures and videos to the woman while trying to keep the affair secret from his wife.

The inspector sent sexual images to the woman and engaged in sexual activity on four separate occasions in April and June 2021.

At a hearing at Sussex Police HQ in Lewes earlier today, a panel concluded that while it was a concern that the inspector had done something to satisfy his sexual needs at work, it did not consider the nature of sexual misconduct to be of the highest national or local concern.

The panel also noted that the officer was a “valuable servant of the public” in his role in the service.

In a “finely balanced decision” after considering evidence and the need to “uphold standards and protect the public”, the panel determined that a final written warning was sufficient punishment.

The panel also ruled that the final written warning would be in place for five years, the maximum amount of time available, after considering the “serious nature” of the misconduct.

Those on the panel had two other options to consider when determining a punishment - a reduction in rank or dismissal without notice.

The hearing heard yesterday that the inspector was sexting the woman when he was on duty.

When asked about an occasion when the inspector called at her house, the woman, who cannot be identified, said: “He had his laptop open and his radio on.

“Listening to the radio whilst we engaged in sexual activity. We were having full sex.”

Inspector Lane denied having sex on duty to the panel and said: “My job and my family are everything to me.

“I admit, I have made mistakes.

“I was naive, but I would never do anything to jeopardise my employment with Sussex Police.”