A FORMER Essex Police officer will appeal his dismissal for gross misconduct.

Ex-PC Mark Smith was sacked in November for his handling of an allegation of rape.

A woman told the officer she had been drugged and raped but he ignored this allegation and made an arrest for the less serious offence of ABH.

The misconduct panel found said: “This failure to act promptly left a victim alone when she was vulnerable and put at risk the expeditious gathering of forensic evidence.

“This situation was fortunately rectified by the swift intervention of other Essex Police officers.”

A Police Appeals Tribunal will take taking place on July 4 and July 5 at Harlow Appeals Court, The Court House, Harlow.

PC Smith was based in Harlow.