A gay policeman who was sacked after being labelled a sex offender is planning to win back his job in the force.

Dave Jewell, 42, was convicted of molesting a 16-year-old boy in a public toilet earlier this year.

But the Court of Appeal has now thrown out the conviction because of a flaw in the trial judge's summing up.

Now, Mr Jewell, of Cramlington, Northumberland, the first openly gay officer in Northumbria Police, wants to return to work in the West End of Newcastle.

He said: "The past two years have been the most difficult in my life. This ordeal has made me stronger and more prepared to stand up to any homophobic abuse I might get."

Mr Jewell served 24 years in the police force and has two commendations for bravery after tackling a gunman and arresting a violent thug.

But all of that was destroyed by an incident in a public toilet in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

He was accused of trying to molest a 16-year-old boy, who said he pushed the officer away.

Mr Jewell denied the charge at Doncaster Crown Court in February, but was convicted of indecent assault.

He was the first Northumbria Police officer to be placed on the sex offenders' register and was sacked from the force.

He now plans to apply for his £28,000-a-year job back. He said: "It was my life."

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: "We will be reviewing the situation."