A WOMAN police officer has been cleared of assault and criminal damage at a riding stables on Canvey.

PC Wendy Eydman, 31, was accused of punching Denise Burry and kicking her car at Brick House Farm on September 2, last year.

They both had horses at the stables.

Harwich magistrates heard there was a disagreement over the worming programme and the off-duty police officer threatened to have Miss Burry thrown out of the stables.

Shortly afterwards Miss Burry claimed she had been attacked. She had suffered a swollen lip and blood on her teeth.

PC Eydman admitted voices were raised, but denied punching Miss Burry as she sat in her car. She also denied kicking the vehicle.

She said she did not know how the injuries had occurred, but said it could have been caused by a horse, and claimed Miss Burry had made up the allegations "to get back at me".

But Georgina Gibbs, prosecuting, said "The fact of the matter is you were pretty livid. You kicked that car in anger and you punched her once in the face."

There were no witnesses to the alleged attack.

Donald Oates, defending, said Miss Eydman, who served in the Grays division, had been in the police for 14 years and was of impeccable character.

He claimed Miss Burry had a motive for lying.

He added: "She didn't want to get thrown off the yard for not worming her horses," he said. "But that's what did happen - she was given her marching orders."

Mr Oates added: "These are very easy allegations to make to try to ruin someone's life."

Harwich magistrates cleared Miss Eydman of the assault and criminal damage charges.