An award-winning former sea cadet and trainee policeman has avoided jail after police discovered pictures of an underage girl and an “extreme” pornographic image of a horse on his phone.

Detectives started investigating rookie Metropolitan Police officer Stephen McMillian after the 25-year-old sent topless images of his 15-year-old Tinder ‘date’ to colleagues.

The former High Wycombe Sea Cadets lance corporal was yesterday handed a suspended sentence, but faces being dismissed from the police service after being placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for five years.

McMillan was caught out after sending the nude photo of the girl - who told him she was 17 - to friends in what magistrates were told was "a laddish, stupid thing to do."

Police from a neighbouring force were called in to investigate and were shocked to discover a sickening image of a woman performing oral sex on a horse when they examined the contents of his phone.

The former Mayhew Crescent resident, who now lives in Aylesbury, puffed out his cheeks in relief as he left court, having heard that he will not be going straight to prison.

He earlier pleaded guilty to making an indecent photo, distribution of an indecent photo, causing or inciting a child into prostitution or pornography and possession of an extreme pornographic image, having been arrested just three weeks into his police training regime.

Bucks Free Press:

McMillan was sentenced at Wycombe Magistrates' Court, yesterday.

The hearing came 10 years after the former sea cadet was presented with a national award honouring the top marine cadet.

Speaking at Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on Monday, prosecutor Andy Callander said that the disgraced officer started contacting the girl – who cannot be named for legal reasons – via WhatsApp in August, 2014.

He said: "There were conversations between the parties in which he is asking for photos of her breasts, which she declined. Further conversations took place and he encouraged her to send her an image, and an image is sent to the defendant.

"He then distributes that image to his friends.

"When his phone was seized, police found on it an image involving an adult female giving oral sex to a horse, which he had been sent."

Emma Collins, defending said: "He now finds himself in a situation where his career, which hadn't even started, has come to an end.

"He is deeply ashamed and deeply remorseful and admitted that to the police at the very first opportunity back when he was first arrested and interviewed.”

She added that McMillan that there was no evidence to suggest he was sexually interested in children or animal porn, and sharing the image was "a laddish, stupid thing to do".

Addressing McMillan, presiding magistrate Barbara Simpson announced the sex offender would be sentenced to 12 weeks in jail, suspended for 24 months.

He was also ordered to pay £500 in compensation to his victim and £200 in costs, while being ordered to take part in a sex offender group treatment programme.

The two images will also be destroyed.