A former policewoman from Tiptree who claims her career was wrecked by injuries suffered in a road accident is facing an anxious wait for the outcome of her High Court battle for damages.

Hayley Burton, 25, of Bainbridge Drive had been with Essex Police three years when a car driven by Adrian Cannon of Harcourt Avenue, Dovercourt collided with the rear of her Volkswagen in September 1996.

She suffered acceleration and flexion injuries to her spine that she says have not been resolved since the accident despite extensive treatment.

She is seeking damages in excess of £50,000 for injuries. Mr Cannon's motor insurers are not disputing liability for the accident but are taking issue over the amount of damages being claimed by Mrs Burton.

Closing her case Mrs Burton's counsel, Richard Nussey denied defence claims that video surveillance by private investigators showed she had a greater range of movement than she had told doctors.

"I question whether she has any motive to lie," he told judge William Crawford QC.

Mrs Burton had wanted to resume her career following the accident but police doctors had ruled against it and she was discharged on medical grounds in 1998.

"The only logical basis for her to have symptoms now is that they were caused by the initial trauma."

He said all the video showed was Mrs Burton making an attempt to get on with her life and he urged the judge to award Mrs Burton substantial damage on the basis that she has "continuing symptoms" from the accident.

Mr Nussey said: "It is not as if she is the only person who had any input into her medical discharge.

"People can actually be in considerable pain without it being obvious to those who look at a video or who see them standing, or walking about or doing other things," he said.

Judge Crawford reserved his decision in the case saying he would give his ruling "as soon as possible."

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