A TRAINEE detective with a "blossoming career" has claimed she was forced out of her dream job because of the way she was treated by Lincolnshire Police, after lodging a complaint of bullying and harassment against colleagues.

PC Natasha Caston made her complaint after being posted to the force's South Division and later went off sick after suffering from an anxiety related illness.

An employment tribunal in Lincoln was told that PC Caston joined the force in April 2001 and had her entire career ahead of her before she made her complaint.

Her barrister, Amanda Hart, said that the way PC Caston was dealt with by the force only made her condition worse and left her in a state where she was unfit to carry out any duties.

Miss Hart said "She was a serving police officer with a blossoming career ahead of her.

"She had received various commendations. She was undoubtedly going to be a successful officer. She ended up becoming disabled because of a situation that happened at South Division."

The hearing was told after lodging her complaint relating to bullying in May 2006, it took the force over a year to complete an investigation into the matter, with much of the delay as a result of the officer herself failing to produce information.

PC Caston was moved from her job at Grantham Police Station to the crime support unit at Lincolnshire Police headquarters at Nettleham with an offer that she could resume her detective training with either East or West division when well enough to do so.

As part of a return to work programme, she worked for just 12 hours a week for nine months, but retained her full pay and holiday entitlement.

By June 2007, she was still not well enough to return full-time.

When Supt Mark Marsden finally produced his 74-page report in November 2007, after interviewing more than 40 people, none of PC Caston's grievances were upheld.

PC Caston said "I could not take it in. I just remember crying uncontrollably. The very thought of it makes me go dry-mouthed and clammy."

The hearing was told she suffered panic attacks

PC Caston was signed off sick in August 2007 and after three months on full pay she was switched to half pay. She subsequently decided that the only way she could get better was to stop working for the force.

Lincolnshire Police are contesting her claim brought under the Disability Discrimination Act.

Paul Rose QC, for the force, said "It wasn't the claimant's disability that put her at a disadvantage in relation to South Division. It was the fact she had fallen out with all the other officers there. That's why she couldn't go back there.

"A reasonable adjustment was made in accommodating her at headquarters."

He said the deterioration in PC Caston's health was not due to the failure of the force to help her overcome her disability.

The tribunal panel reserved judgement on the case and will give its decision at a later date.