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A Metropolitan Police officer who punched a suspected shoplifter before pinning her to the ground has been dismissed from the force.

PC James Kiddie, 46, was found guilty in February of common assault at the Uniqlo store in Regent Street, London in November 2012.

CCTV footage showed him pushing the woman, grabbing her by the hair and punching her as she lay on the floor.

The Met said he had been now been dismissed without notice.

Westminster Borough Commander Ch Supt Paul Rickett said: "Police officers join the Met to protect and serve the public and I was extremely shocked to learn and indeed see what happened.

"Where an officer's behaviour falls short of the very high standards that we and the public expect of them, then it is only right that they are held to account and PC Kiddie has paid for his actions today.

"Behaviour such as this casts a shadow over the thousands of officers who are on duty right now demonstrating bravery, compassion, integrity and professionalism."

Kiddie was sentenced to a 150-hour community order.

The officer had previously been the subject of two substantiated complaints, one in 2008 for lack of courtesy and respect and another in 2011 for discriminatory comments.