A FORMER police officer has pleaded guilty to stalking.

Kevin Davis, of Seaton, pleaded guilty to stalking and misconduct in public office during a hearing at Exeter Magistrates' Court this week.

The 41-year-old, who was a constable with Devon & Cornwall Police at the time of the offences, repeatedly messaged the woman, approached her at the gym and searched for her 24 times on systems at work, including while on annual leave, the BBC has reported.

District Judge Stuart Smith said Davis would be sentenced on September 17.

Prosecuting, Warjinder Bains said Davis made ‘repeated unwanted comments’ on social media posts to the victim and asked her out several times in January.

She added Davis then turned up at the woman's gym to try and speak to her.

The judge said the offences were ‘very serious’ and ordered a pre-sentence report to be written ahead of sentencing.

Davis was granted bail with a condition not to contact the complainant.