A POLICE officer has been suspended over reported allegations he sold threesomes with his girlfriend while on long-term sick leave through stress.

The Sussex Police officer, based in Hastings, has been placed under investigation by the force's Professional Standards Department.

He is alleged to have taken part in the sexual activities with his girlfriend for more than £200-an-hour, national newspaper reports have claimed.

Some of the liaisons took place in a flat in Hastings, it is alleged.

A Sussex Police spokesman yesterday said: "We can confirm an investigation has been launched into the conduct of an officer based in Hastings.

"The officer has been suspended and the nature of the allegations are still being established at this very early stage."

The allegations would not constitute breaking the law because selling sex as a prostitute in private is not a criminal offence. It is only a criminal offence to solicit prostitution or to profit from running a brothel or pimping. But the officer could be disciplined or even sacked if found guilty of gross misconduct.

The police code of ethics states officers must "avoid any activities that may bring the police service into disrepute and damage the relationship of trust and confidence between the police and the public."