A FORMER police worker who was sacked after he helped a prostitute "save her life" said he did not regret his actions.

The Cleveland Police employee lost his case for unfair dismissal after the hearing ruled that his actions could have compromised his position with the force.

The hearing heard how the former civilian worker, who cannot be named for legal reasons, let the vice girl live at his home, drove her to and from work in local red light districts, and produced a letter of support for her in court.

The woman, who had convictions for drug offences and shoplifting, was living with the former civilian worker when officers arrived to search his house for an alleged bogus police ID card. No card was ever found.

Despite the panel ruling against him, the former civilian employee said he saved the woman's life and would do the same thing again, even if it meant losing another job.

Speaking after the hearing, he said: "I expected this to happen, but I wanted to get my say across.

"I absolutely bear no grudge against the police. I am glad I did what I did. I could have dumped her, but she would have been dead. I would do it all again."

He admitted once having sex with the woman many years ago, but denied ever paying her.

It was said he made an unauthorised prison visit to see the prostitute and impersonated a detective chief inspector at a probation office.

His sacking followed criminal and internal investigations, although the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to bring charges against him because of lack of evidence.

The chairman of the hearing, Tudor Garnon, said: "The investigation was certainly not timid.

"If they had not investigated this rigorously, the police would have clearly been open to criticism."

Mr Garnon also praised the claimant's previous excellent good character and did not deny his intentions were good, but said he had been naive in doing what he did. He said: "It is nothing short of a tragedy as a person that he has lost his job in circumstances such as these.