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A policeman accused of misusing his powers to start a relationship with a “vulnerable” victim of crime told her that he was “a delicious Wotsit”, a court has heard.

PC Paul Higgins also denies forcing her to lie to his superiors about when they had met to avoid losing his job.

Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court was read 40 pages of WhatsApp messages between Paul Higgins and Jessica O’Neill.

In the messages the couple discussed his use of fake tan which he referred to as “gravy browning”.

He called himself “Pablo Badass Higg-uero” and she called him a “Wotsit.”

“I am a delicious Wotsit,” he replied.

Several lengthy discussions were had in the early hours in which they both declared feelings for each other.

In one message, Miss O’Neill told Mr Higgins that she fancied him.

“I don’t feel pressure at all,” she said.

The conversations became sexual in tone and nature and he shared intimate photographs with her.

“I’m literally crazy about you,” said Miss O’Neill.

In another message, she told him: “I don’t feel intimidated by you or your job,” adding: “I’m sure about my feelings for you.”

In later messages, Mr Higgins told Miss O’Neill that he did not want to hide their relationship from his colleagues but was concerned about her violent ex-husband.

“I certainly don’t want to keep you on the downlow,” he said, adding: “I’m so proud to have you as my girlfriend.”

The court also heard from DC Ryan Hartley, who said intimate relationships with victims of crime to be an "imbalance of power" in the force.

Mr Hartley from South Wales Police said an audit concluded that Higgins looked up the progress of the court case against Miss O'Neill's ex-husband.

He also said he found records in another police system of journeys made in a police vehicle by Mr Higgins to the road where she lived in Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf.

DC Hartley said police officers "must have a policing purpose to access police data" and that officers are regularly reminded of the implications of developing "inappropriate relationships" at work.

“Quite often, they’re vulnerable and need protecting,” he said, adding it was important officers were not seen to be “exploiting and taking advantage of that person.

Christopher Richards, a retired police sergeant, told the court that he was based at Aberdare police station and was effectively Mr Higgins’ supervising sergeant.

He said training was given to officers about relationships with people they met in the course of their duties.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) began an investigation following a referral about PC Higgins' conduct from South Wales Police in May 2021.

He has been suspended from the force, the IOPC said.

The South Wales Police officer denies the charges and the trial will continue on Monday.