A police officer will face no more action and return to work after being found not guilty of assaulting a suspect.

PC Christoper Wentworth was cleared of assault by beating at Westminster Magistrates Court yesterday.

It was claimed he assaulted a man who bit him during the arrest in Westcliff on March 20 last year.

Essex Police referred its self to the independent office for police conduct and now the force and office says he will face no action.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "A serving Essex Police officer has been cleared of assault after an incident in Westcliff last year.

"PC Christopher Wentworth was found not guilty after a two-day trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court yesterday. The officer had been charged by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in relation to an incident in Grosvenor Road on March 20, 2021.

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"During the incident PC Wentworth was bitten on the hand whilst he arrested a man on suspicion of drink driving. A complaint was subsequently made regarding an excessive use of force by the officer.

"This matter was referred to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) and the officer placed on restricted duties. The CPS later authorised an assault charge. PC Wentworth denied any wrongdoing and was subsequently found not guilty at court.

"The officer will not face any conduct proceedings, either internally or through the IOPC, and will return to his substantive role in Essex Police without restrictions.

Assistant Chief Constable Glen Pavelin said: “Our officers find themselves in challenging and potentially dangerous situations every day and are trained in the use of force, which is used only when it is deemed necessary.

“In this instance, it has been proven that PC Wentworth acted proportionately to the situation he faced.

“We have endeavoured to support him throughout the last year, which has no doubt been challenging for him. “I know that he wants nothing more than to carry on keeping Essex safe.”