A police officer who was nominated for a bravery award after saving people from a tower block fire has been banned from policing for sexual misconduct.

Former PC Justin Robbie, who was based in Bristol, was one of the first on the scene Twinnell House fire in 2022 and rescued two men who were hanging from the ledge of a top-floor window.

He has now been dismissed without notice from Avon and Somerset Police for serious misconduct following inappropriate solicitations and messages he sent to a female colleague.

Sup. Acting Constable Sharon Baker said: “There can be no place in the police force for someone who acts in such an inappropriate way.”

The former police officer was found to have breached four professional standards after a two-day hearing at the force’s Portishead headquarters.

The panel heard that Mr Robbie sent “inappropriate requests, communication and an unsolicited image” to a female colleague who was also working at Avon and Somerset Police at the time.

Sup. Baker, the force’s head of professional standards, said Mr Robbie’s conduct “fell well below the standards required of anyone serving in the police”.

“He has behaved in a way that brings the police service into disrepute and will undoubtedly undermine public confidence,” she said.

“His actions towards the woman violated her dignity, who he knew did not want him to behave in this way.

“We hope this decision to prevent him from ever policing sends a strong message to the public that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated at all.”

In 2023, Mr Robbie’s actions were celebrated by the force when he was nominated for a National Police Bravery Award.

It came after he entered the burning Easton tower block in September 2022 without protective gear and directed residents to exit the building.

One man died in the fire, but, assisted by a fireman, Mr. Robbie helped pull two men to safety.

Mr Robbie attended an awards ceremony in London and, although he did not win an award, his nomination was something Avon and Somerset Police said at the time he was “proud of”.