A former Suffolk Police special constable has been acquitted of assaulting a social worker - as she has a new job lined up with the prison service.

Holly Mary Rackham, 43, had been due to stand trial at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court on Thursday after being charged with one count of assault by beating.

The incident occurred at her Fredericks Road home in Beccles on August 22, 2018.

Matthew Edwards, prosecuting, said: 'Because of the public interest, there will be a restraining order on acquittal and a letter of apology offered.

'A social worker attended her address on a routine call in the late afternoon.

'There was some concern about her state, in that she had been drinking.

'She did not want the social worker there and asked her to leave. There was an altercation and eventually the matter came to the attention of the police.'

The former Suffolk Police special constable has since been offered a job with the prison service, magistrates heard.

Mr Edwards said: 'It has been decided that in the public interest the best way to deal with this matter, given her job offer, is to offer no evidence and the parties have agreed to a restraining order and a letter of apology to the social worker and the police officer who attended on the day, who was known to her.'

Mother-of-two Rackham had previously been based in Lowestoft during her time as a special constable.

Steven Paul, defending, said: 'It will allow her to take up a job offer she has got and progress that. That is in the best interests of everyone, including her children.

'She is very grateful and will do exactly what has been asked.'

A one-year restraining order was imposed, ordering Rackham to fully comply with all reasonable requests and requirements by social workers for who it is necessary.

Chris Bowles, chair of the magistrates' bench, said: 'If you do not obey any part of this order, you could be committing an offence.

'You could be fined or sent to prison for a period of up to five years.'