A policeman had sex in his patrol car with a 17-year-old boy he met and drove to a stately home, a court heard today.

PC Mark Martin, who has since resigned from Thames Valley Police, appeared before a judge today (Monday) where he admitted a charge of wilfully misconducting himself.

The 36-year-old former officer was charged after details of his encounter leaked out to colleagues and he was suspended from duty.

Martin appeared before Judge Edward Burgess at Reading Crown Court where he admitted being the holder of a public office who wilfully neglected to perform duty/wilfully misconducted himself.

The judge ordered a pre-sentence report to be compiled on the ex-policeman who had been based at High Wycombe police station.

The defendant offered the teenage boy a ride in his police car on November 8 and drove him to a secluded car park at Hughenden Manor, where the two engaged in consensual sex, a court heard.

He was arrested weeks later - on November 28 - and charged on February 15, after he had submitted his resignation to police bosses in December. He finally left the force on January 31.

Appearing before Judge Burgess this morning, the charge was read to Martin as he stood hunched in the dock wearing a smart grey suit.

It said: “On November 8, while active as a police constable, you wilfully conducted in a way which amounted to abuse of trust by engaging in sexual misconduct with another male while on duty,” a charged which Martin admitted.

The ex-constable had previously admitted the offence during a previous appearance at Reading Magistrates’ Court on March 1, and following the hearing, Deputy Chief Constable John Campbell slammed his former officer's "outrageous" behaviour.

Mr Campbell, who today became the Thames Valley's Chief Constable, added that Martin’s conduct would have seen him dismissed from the force had be not already resigned.

In a statement released following the former officer's previous admission, he said: "In acting in this manner he has let down all his colleagues from Thames Valley Police and the community he was meant to be serving.

“He invited the male out with him in a police vehicle and engaged in consensual sexual activity with him in a car park near Hughenden Manor."

Martin, of Brickhill Way, Calvert Green in Buckingham, appeared dressed in a grey suit with purple tie and white shirt. He was of small and thin stature with dark facial hair and was prosecuted by Jonathan Sanic.

He spoke only to confirm his name and enter his plea, after a reluctant pause, admitting to one count of being the holder of a public office who wilfully neglected to perform duty/wilfully misconducted himself.

The case was adjourned by Judge Burgess until May 13, on which date Martin was set to be sentenced at the same court following his admission. A pre-sentence report was required before his sentencing, defence counsel Peter Eguae suggested to the judge.

Judge Burgess said: “Stand up Mr Martin. In light of your admission you made under caution, you did the right thing and pleaded guilty. But make no mistake, this is a serious matter and custody remains an option.

“I hold no promises to the type of sentence you will receive as I adjourn for May 13. I will release you on unconditional bail.

“I am told you are to be interviewed by police on further matters and require a pre-sentence report... I adjourn sentencing until May 13, and you are now free to leave the court.”