A LEGAL adviser who shouted homophobic comments at a police officer has been sentenced.

Jade Akehurst, a police station legal adviser, swore and shouted abuse towards the police officer over the phone after someone known to her was being arrested for an unrelated matter.

The audible exchange was captured on the officer's body worn video in St Leonards.

Akehurst was later arrested on suspicion of sending by public communication network an offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing message.

At Hastings Magistrates' Court, the 30-year-old pleaded guilty and was given a community order, with a requirement to carry out 50 hours of unpaid work.

Akehurst, of Fairfield Road, St Leonards, was also ordered to complete rehabilitation activity and pay £180 in compensation.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "Jade Akehurst wrote a letter of apology for her actions, but acknowledged there is no excuse for subjecting another person to such abuse - in this case, a police officer who was simply carrying out their duties.

"Offensive messages can have a serious detrimental impact on a person's emotional and mental wellbeing, and we take offences of this nature very seriously.

"This matter was particularly shocking as Akehurst is of professional standing and should have known her behaviour was wholly unacceptable."