A MOTHER-of-two who bit a policewoman, has been cleared of an assault charge.

Maria Preston, 30, who accepted she bit WPC Karen Hignett's thigh, last July 20, was found not guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm by a Burnley Crown Court jury, after a four-day trial.

The court heard that Preston, then of Whitegate Close, Padiham, was a woman of good character. She was discharged from the dock by Recorder Anthony Sander.

The court was told Preston bit WPC Hignett after police were called to Whitegate Close in the early hours by next door neighbour Paula Martin.

A disturbance had started amid claims Mrs Martin had been having a "sexual relationship" with Preston's husband, Paul.

Mrs Martin - who has always denied she had an affair with him - was said to have left a note with her new phone number on his car.

Preston told the court she had bitten the officer in "desperation" and panic. She said she could not breathe after WPC Hignett put her weight on her on the ground.

She told the jury she suffered a back problem and had been in agony.

Both Maria and Paul Preston, 28, were earlier found not guilty of affray on the judge's direction.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.