A POLICE officer who launched an unprovoked street attack on a young mother as she walked home in Northallerton has been allowed to keep his job.

The Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police has apologised to 22-year-old Kelly Watts and paid her £1,500 compensation following a 20-month battle for justice.

However, he has allowed PC Andrew Langford to remain in the force, despite the Police Complaints Authority upholding Ms Watts' complaint that she was assaulted only yards from her home.

Langford appeared before York magistrates in connection with the assault and agreed to be bound over to keep the peace for 12 months.

However, an internal disciplinary investigation recommended that Langford receive a written warning and be allowed to stay in the force - a punishment the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) agreed with.

Ms Watts' solicitor, Scott Taylor, of the firm Watson Woodhouse, took up the case.

In a letter to Mr Taylor, written on behalf of the Chief Constable of North Yorkshire, a force solicitor wrote: "For no apparent reason the officer struck your client across the face.

"The Chief Constable apologises for the actions of the officer concerned."

Mr Taylor confirmed his client had now been paid £1,500 compensation from the police.

He has written to the PCA expressing concern that Langford is still a serving officer.

"This was an outrageous, unprovoked attack on a young woman who was simply walking down the street,'' said Mr Taylor.

"I think most members of the public would be very concerned to learn a police officer who assaulted a member of the public in this way in still in a job".

North Yorkshire Police confirmed a complaint had been investigated and 'appropriate compensation paid.'

A spokesman for Sir Alistair Graham, chairman of the PCA, confirmed the officer was dealt with by way of a written warning.

"The question of what misconduct action should be taken was carefully considered," said the spokesman.

"Written warnings are the highest form of discipline, short of misconduct proceedings, and are therefore in no way lenient."

Langford declined to comment.