A police officer was dismissed for raping and sexually assaulting a woman.

Thames Valley Police (TVP) sacked Jay Callen after a misconduct panel found "appalling behaviour" had been proven.

The panel determined that the sexual violence inflicted was "amongst the most serious of acts that could be committed by any individual, let alone a warranted officer."

Mr Callen denied misconduct, and his representative claimed the woman and the police had not considered a criminal prosecution, despite the "very grave criminal nature" of the allegations.

Aparna Rao, representing Mr Callen, said he was "concerned" about the woman's "true motivation" for the accusations.

However, the panel stated that TVP approached her after receiving an anonymous referral.

She initially "expressed some concern that the matter had been taken out of her hands" and did not want to report Mr Callen.

The panel, however, found these were "not the actions of an individual who sought to fabricate evidence or pursue some kind of a vendetta or agenda against the officer."

Ms Rao argued the allegations were "vague as to date" and "lacking in detail," which hindered Mr Callen's "ability to answer them."

The panel determined Mr Callen, who joined TVP in 2000, "realised, or ought to have realised" that his behaviour was "improper."

It said the public would be "affronted" if he received a sanction other than dismissal.

His behaviour was described as "intentional and deliberate," and the panel considered the impact of violence against women and girls, which "has been, and continues to be, a matter of local and national concern."

TVP did not disclose the area Mr Callen, who was firearms trained, previously worked.