A POLICE officer has been sacked for grabbing a teenager round the neck and shoving him into a bush.

The 39-year-old Essex police officer who was based out of the station in Chelmsford could has been struck off by assistant chief constable Julia Wortley following a gross misconduct hearing.

The incident happened in October 2012, when the officer attended the green in Chelmer Village to make an arrest.

He came across a group of youngsters and an altercation ensued.

The officer took hold of the 14-year-old by the neck and pushed him back into a bush. He later gave an account of the event that was untruthful.

After hearing the details of the case on Thursday, January 30, ACC Wortley fired the officer for using excessive and unnecessary force, discreditable conduct and failing to act with honesty and integrity.

Since the fracas 16 months ago, the policeman had been on restricted duties.

ACC Wortley said: "On this occasion the officer’s conduct fell significantly below that which is expected by Essex Police and to retain his services could only serve to undermine public confidence in the force.

"Accordingly the panel was of the view that the only appropriate outcome in this case was to dismiss the officer without notice.

"I would like to thank the victim in this case and a number of young people who willingly gave their time to give evidence throughout the investigation and the misconduct hearing."