A BEAT bobby who pestered shop girls while on patrol has been allowed to keep his job.

A private disciplinary hearing heard how PC Andrew Shearer used his position in Redcar to chat up assistants, and, when his advances were rebuffed, he turned to gross sexual innuendo.

Matters came to light when one shop worker complained to her husband - a serving police officer - and Cleveland Police's complaints department unearthed a catalogue of complaints against Shearer.

Female staff in Bells, Uptons, Etam, Boots and many other shops came forward. In one store, management said Shearer should not be left alone with female staff, while another had asked him to leave.

Other shop girls complained that Shearer used crude language and repeatedly asked for sex.

The disciplinary hearing, chaired by Chief Constable Barry Shaw, was held behind closed doors, but the force yesterday confirmed that Shearer faced 11 charges of discreditable conduct.

After the week-long hearing, Shearer was convicted of all charges, but his victims were stunned when the Chief Constable ruled he could keep his job.

The force has confirmed he was fined £150 for four offences, had a reduction in pay for one and was reprimanded on each of the other six charges. He was also transferred from Redcar to Middlesbrough.

The leader of Redcar council, David Walsh, said: "This punishment seems totally inappropriate and I will be seeking an urgent meeting with the police to discuss this matter.

"Women should be able to go about their work without having to endure this sort of behaviour from anyone, especially a police officer."

A spokesperson for the Redcar Business Association said: "There is surprise that this man is still a serving police officer. He was well known in many shops in the town for his behaviour."

Shearer was suspended throughout the year-long investigation but returned to work at Middlesbrough on Sunday.

One senior officer within the force said: "There is outrage that this man is still wearing a police uniform."