THE daughter of Sussex Chief Constable Paul Whitehouse

has abandoned her appeal against her sentence and conviction for assaulting two of his officers.

Frances Whitehouse, 18, of Brunswick Square, Hove, was due to appeal against her

sentence and conviction for assaulting PC Paul Ashman and PC Tony Spalding at Croydon Crown Court yesterday.

But at the last minute she withdrew the appeal.

The two officers were assaulted by the teenager in Norfolk Square in April when they arrested her after being called to a drunken row between her and her boyfriend.

She was found guilty at Brighton Magistrates' Court in July, when she was ordered to carry out 150 hours' community service and pay £400 in compensation.

Yesterday in court a further £250 costs were awarded against her.

PC Ashman and PC Spalding were visibly relieved after the two-minute hearing when the case was dropped.

Speaking on their behalf, Sgt Howard Hawes said: "Because of this case they have been under intense pressure and worry over the last few months which has affected them.

"They are glad it's over with and are both looking forward to getting back to work as soon as possible."

He added: "The fact the defendant was the daughter of the Chief Constable has made the situation more difficult for them."

PC Ashman, 27. said: "I am very relieved. We were only doing our job."

The witnesses, who did not give evidence at the original trial, were at Croydon Crown Court yesterday to hear the appeal being withdrawn.

Joanna Chiffe, of Norfolk Square, Brighton, said the group had been making a huge racket and it had looked like they were drunk.

Her stepfather Alan Jarvis, of Steyning, said he saw the police officers arrive and thought they did an excellent job.

At the trial in June a stipendiary magistrate heard how the teenager had been arrested following a drunken row in the street with boyfriend Lloyd Smith. They had both had several pints of cider.

PC Ashman had told the court that when he arrived in Norfolk Square and asked the girl if she was all right she flew at him in a rage and pushed him in the chest.

Later, in the police car, she kicked 31-year-old PC Spalding in the head.

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