A FORMER senior policeman has been disgraced after he admitted abusing his powers by forcing young men to strip at a Hampshire police station.

Gerry Hutchings, 48, pleaded guilty to ten charges of misconduct in public office between March 2006 and July 2007, when he appeared at Hove Crown Court.

The offences took place at Lyndhurst police station in the New Forest.

Hutchings, an inspector at the time, denied ten counts of causing a person to engage in sexual activity by forcing them to strip naked and expose themselves for inspection. He denied one charge of sexual assault.

Hutchings, who appeared in court in a grey suit, shirt and blue tie, asked for a similar offence of misconduct in public office, which happened at Eastleigh police station, to be taken into consideration.

Tim Thompson, prosecuting, accepted those pleas and said: "For the reason of his basis of plea, he at last concedes a real basis of what was going on, the misuse of power and the enjoyment of this misuse of power over young men in custody."

Full details of the case were not disclosed but the court heard that there were 11 male victims, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

Colin Banham, on behalf of Hutchings, said: "He was a police officer for 28 years. On all counts this is a tremendous fall from grace for a man of his stature. Hutchings is no longer a serving member of Hampshire Constabulary. He has been dismissed (in August 2007) on a fast-track hearing."

Hutchings had worked in most areas of the county during his career with Hampshire police.

He had previously held positions in Totton, where he spent two years, and five in both Portsmouth and Basingstoke where he was promoted to sergeant.

In 1994 he moved to Havant and was appointed inspector, serving in Waterlooville, Winchester police headquarters, two years in Yateley and one year in Aldershot.

He then moved to the New Forest where he was posted to Lymington, Ringwood and then Lyndhurst.

Born in Southampton where his father was an insurance manager, at the age of ten Hutchings and his family emigrated to South Africa where he finished his education before working as a housemaster in children's homes.

Hutchings and his family returned to the UK in the 1970s and he joined Hampshire police.

Judge Cedric Joseph adjourned the case for sentencing on Friday, May 9 and ordered pre-sentence reports to be written.

Hutchings was released on conditional bail.