A sergeant accused of being derogatory towards female colleagues was described as “professional” and “popular” by his former inspector.

Sergeant Stephen Hughes, of Dorset Police, faces a misconduct hearing this week after being accused of breaching the standard of professional behaviour in his treatment of four female officers over a period of nearly two years.

PCs B, C, D and F have made allegations against Sgt Hughes, and three have given evidence this week behind a screen.

PC B, who has made several allegations against Sgt Hughes, spoke during the second day of proceedings at Dorset Police HQ in Winfrith yesterday.

She described how when Sgt Hughes first joined her squad there were no issues, but over time she found women were treated differently.

She started to record incidents where she thought she had been treated unfairly.

PC B, who is a mother of two, described how she felt Sgt Hughes often made negative comments, undermined the fact she worked part-time hours and didn’t make her feel equal.

She said: “The culture at the station for part time females was ‘put up and shut up and get on with it’. It was awful. It’s hard enough having two young children, and then when you’re at work it’s another battle having to explain why we are part-time.”

When asked why she didn’t challenge Sgt Hughes about his alleged behaviour at the time, PC B said she wanted to “just do her job and go home”.

“I lost all my confidence at work. Before I moved [police station] I was looking at other jobs, I thought I couldn’t do it.”

On one occasion, it is alleged that Sgt Hughes said PC B had ‘nothing between her ears’ while speaking to his former Inspector Steve Marsh and in earshot of PC C. PC C then relayed the comments to PC B.

Mr Marsh, a former Dorchester inspector who was Sgt Hughes’ superior during the period investigated, denies having any recollection of the comment being made. He also described Sgt Hughes as “professional and popular” and “a good sergeant.” He said he didn’t notice any discriminatory behaviour by Sgt Hughes, except when he was informed Sgt Hughes told PC F to make tea because she was a woman.

After this was reported to Mr Marsh, he spoke to Sgt Hughes who accepted he had acted unprofessionally.

Sgt Hughes is accused of breaching standards concerning authority, respect and courtesy, equality and diversity and describable conduct, while based at Dorchester between April 2014 and January 2016. He denies the allegations.

The hearing continues.