AN ex-police officer who contacted prostitutes using the Greater Manchester force's computer system has been jailed for eight months.

Former PC Christopher Taylor also met with one of the sex workers he contacted to have sex while off duty.

Taylor, 35, of Wuerdle Close, Wardle, Rochdale, pleaded guilty to two offences of misconduct in a public office and one charge of misusing a computer.

He had focused on information gleaned as part of Operation Streetshield, an initiative which dealt with sex workers in the Rochdale area.

Investigators from GMP's anti-corruption Unit found that between March 2018 and March 2019, PC Taylor contacted three known sex workers on a number of occasions while he was on duty.

Police say that on two occasions, Taylor also met one of the women for sex whilst off duty. The court also heard that he met other sex workers and used their services.

An inquiry also found that PC Taylor had carried out over 700 unauthorised searches of secure information held on GMP systems between June 2017 and March 2019.

The searches included information regarding family and friends, other police officers, organised crime group members and individuals believed to be sex workers.

Taylor had been suspended from duty since his alleged conduct first came to light in March 2019.

Det Chief Supt Jon Chadwick, head of GMP’s Professional Standards Branch, said: “PC Chris Taylor’s behaviour fell well below the standard rightly expected of a police officer by the public.

“He showed a blatant disregard for his role as a police officer and abused the powers afforded to him, effectively betraying the trust of the public and his fellow officers in the process.

“We take offences such as this incredibly seriously so once his offending came to light he was quickly suspended from duty and his access to any restricted information removed.

“The severity of his misconduct is reflected in the sentence passed today and I hope it will serve as a stark reminder of the consequences people will face if they abuse their position for their own gain.”