A serving Surrey Police officer who was seen assaulting his partner after a drinking session in Surbiton has been dismissed from the force.

PC James Russell, 28, was found guilty of gross misconduct and dismissed on May 5 after he was found to have breached standards of professional behaviour and to have displayed discreditable conduct.

Police said an "accelerated misconduct hearing" was held after PC Russell was found guilty of domestic assault following a one-day trial at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on March 5.

He was fined £959 after being convicted of common assault following the incident, which happened in Surbiton in July last year.

During his trial, the court heard how Russell became involved in an argument with his partner after he had spent the afternoon of July 22 drinking at a pub on Maple Road, Surbiton.

The argument escalated and a number of members of the public witnessed Russell assaulting the victim, police said, adding that footage of him doing so was also captured on CCTV.

Russell was arrested at the scene by the Met Police and subsequently summonsed to court following advice from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Speaking after his dismissal, Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Alison Barlow said:

"Violent behaviour of any nature will not be condoned, least of all by our own police officers, who play a vital role in building and maintaining trust and confidence in our local communities.

"Unfortunately one case has the ability to undermine the good work we see our teams doing every day to protect the public.

"Any allegations made against our officers or staff will always be treated seriously and fully investigated."