A police officer wept as she described how another officer allegedly destroyed her confidence while working as her supervisor.

A hearing is taking place at Dorset Police headquarters this week after an investigation found that the conduct of Sergeant Stephen Hughes 1627 may have fallen below the standard of professional behaviour.

Four female officers, who can only be named as PCs F, C, B and D, have made allegations against Sgt Hughes.

It is alleged that while Sgt Hughes was based at Dorchester police station between April 2014 and January 2016, he behaved towards the four officers in a way that was demeaning, undermined their confidence, made them feel stupid, caused them to doubt their judgement, made them feel inadequate and embarrassed them.

It is also alleged that Sgt Hughes encouraged a negative attitude towards part-time officers.

Sgt Hughes denies the allegations and is due to give evidence at the hearing later in the week.

Proceedings opened at headquarters in Winfrith yesterday, where PCs F and C both gave evidence.

PC F, who returned to the force following maternity leave, told the hearing that the last four years of her life “have been hell.”

She has made several allegations against Sgt Hughes, claiming that he repeatedly “knocked her confidence.”

On one occasion, it is alleged that he asked her to make the tea because she was a woman, a comment which Sgt Hughes has accepted as ‘unprofessional’.

On another, she claims that Sgt Hughes told her she could only go home to look after her ill daughter if she took annual leave and stayed at work for a few hours beforehand.

PC F said she felt that as a part time officer she had to “prove herself” and “didn’t feel strong enough” to challenge Sgt Hughes.

PC F and PC C both allege that they felt Sgt Hughes caused them to be single crewed more frequently than male officers in his squad.

An audit carried out between April 2014 and March 2015 around crewing states that PC F was single crewed 24 per cent of the time, with PC C single crewed 14 per cent of the time.

PC C alleges that she was a confident and pro-active officer when Sgt Hughes took over in 2013, but that over time he used coercive behaviour to undermine her confidence.

She wept as she was asked questions during yesterday’s hearing.

The hearing continues.