A DISGRACED policeman convicted as a phone pest is to remain in the force, it was announced today.

Stephen Lawman has been demoted to the rank of sergeant following a disciplinary hearing at police HQ.

The officer was found guilty by Preston magistrates of making a series of malicious and indecent phone calls last year.

But police bosses decided the 41-year-old father of three could keep his job as an inspector pending an appeal.

The officer, who served in Accrington and Blackburn, then withdrew his appeal and was suspended from duty.

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