A POLICE officer who ignored radio calls for help from his colleagues because he was cruising the red light district has resigned.

PC Robert Bowen, 45, had 'developed an unhealthy interest in sex workers '  but today walked free from court.

When called over the airwaves to a large fight at a Manchester city centre takeaway he muttered to himself 'what a load of  ****' and drove in the other direction.

Bowen , of Elmsfield Avenue, Rochdale, was caught by secret recording equipment installed in his car Warrington Crown Court heard.

That night Greater Manchester Police were understaffed due to a memorial service for former Chief Constable Michael Todd.

Fight

Maria Masselis, prosecuting, told the court that the defendant was just half a mile away from a fight in Krunchie Chicken on Bloom Street when radio calls came in at around 3am.

Bowen, a GMP officer of 26 years said 'what a load of   ****' then drove in the opposite direction towards Cheetham Hill red light district.

Other officers arrived at the takeaway less than half an hour later and two men were arrested.

They felt “disappointed and left in the lurch“ when the defendant refused to help, the judge said.

Bowen pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office when he appeared earlier this month and was given a conditional discharge yesterday. Three other charges of public misconduct will lie on file.

Commedations

Bernadette Baxter, defending, told the court Bowen had an otherwise clean career and had been awarded three commendations for going above and beyond the call of duty.

Miss Baxter added that the defendant and his wife had been greatly affected by the court case.

There was no suggestion at any time that the defendant used prostitutes.

Judge Thomas Teague QC, gave the defendant a two-year conditional discharge and told him: “You neglected your duty not out of cowardice but out of a disinclination to get involved in the middle of a busy shift.”

Bowen was also ordered to pay £250 court costs.