A FORMER Cumbria police officer who is accused of selling pornographic images and videos on social media is set to face a misconduct hearing.

Jonathan Hodgson, a former police constable, could be barred from policing for life when he appears before a panel.

Mr Hodgson is alleged to have published X-rated images on a Twitter account and connected an online payments platform to allow him to sell the images.

Police bosses are said to have been alerted to his alleged behaviour by anonymous letters.

A hearing was due to take place in April but was pushed back and is now set to take place on October 4.

Setting out the allegations, a misconduct notice said: "On approximately 1 May 2022, former PC Hodgson opened a Twitter account with the name ***************.

"On dates unknown between 1 May 2022 and 22 June 2022, former PC Hodgson published sexually explicit images and videos, including images of an erect penis and of sexual intercourse taking place.

"Former PC Hodgson set up a link to that account with CashApp, a platform that enables the account holder to receive online payments; this was with the intention of receiving remuneration in exchange for access to the pornographic content of that Twitter account.

"Former PC Hodgson was subsequently identified as the publisher of said images and videos, due in part to two anonymous letters received by the Professional Standards Department.

"Former PC Hodgson failed to disclose that Twitter account and its proposed associated remuneration to Cumbria Constabulary as a business interest."

According to the misconduct notice, the former officer is alleged to have breached police standards of honesty and integrity and demonstrated discreditable conduct.

The allegations he faces are said to be so serious that if they are proven Mr Hodgson should have been dismissed.

As he is no longer a serving officer, this sanction would result in him being placed on the police barred list and banned from the profession for life.

The hearing is due to take place at Cumbria Police's headquarters in Penrith and is scheduled to last a day.

Explaining misconduct hearings, Cumbria Police said: "We employ many people.

"Taking that and the nature of our operation into consideration, alleged transgressions of accepted practice or unlawful activity, whether or not they've passed through the legal courts system, are bound to arise.

"It’s our duty to investigate each case, which may result in a public misconduct hearing."