A FORMER policewoman has dropped her claim to be heard by an employment tribunal which has cost the taxpayer £20,000 - because she felt intimidated giving evidence in front of senior officers.

Deborah Wadey, 37, said she could not give evidence in the presence of more than 15 senior policemen.

The former officer from Gateshead, who worked for Northumbria Police child protection unit, had brought the case claiming she had suffered six years of sexual discrimination.

Miss Wadey returned to her job in July 2000 after taking maternity leave.

She suffered post-natal depression and filed a request to work fewer hours, which was turned down.

She continued to work 30 hours a week for five years after being tranferred to Whickham police station, in Gateshead.

She resigned from the police last year and now works in a shop.

She says that since she left the force, she has separated from her partner and says the stress has ruined her life.

At the employment tribunal in Newcastle, Miss Wadey said she had broken down when she realised senior officers would be watching her as she gave evidence.

She said: "If they had investigated my concerns when I first brought them up, all this could have been avoided.

"Instead, I'm a single mother with a minimum wage shop job."

Northumbria Police Deputy Chief Constable David Warcup said: "Miss Wadey was treated properly and fairly during her career with Northumbria Police."