POLICE have paid businesswoman Sheila Biswas £10,000 after she was brutally manhandled by an officer following a row over a Twix.

Mrs Biswas, a mother of one, cleared her name after a three-year battle, but said the trauma had forced her to sell up and move abroad.

For Cleveland Police, it is the third time in recent months that their treatment of civilians has been criticised, in actions which cost more than £100,000.

Mrs Biswas had built up a successful business selling Italian food from two shops in Middlesbrough.

The incident happened in March 1998 when a customer parked on a single yellow line to pop into her shop to buy a Twix.

PC Andrew Smales issued the customer with a parking ticket and then ordered Mrs Biswas to move her car, which had a business permit.

She said: "I said we were in the right, but we couldn't waste time arguing."

When Mrs Biswas protested, PC Smales grabbed her, swinging her into some steel shutters, before frog-marching her to Middlesbrough Police Station. She refused a caution and was charged with a public order offence.

In court, she denied disorderly behaviour but was convicted and fined £70 with £75 costs. Her conviction was quashed on appeal.

It emerged that PC Smales, a probationer, left the force following other complaints.

Mrs Biswas sued Cleveland Police for assault, false imprisonment and malicious prosecution.

Last week, it paid her £10,000 in an out-of- court settlement, and agreed to pay her legal bills.

In December, mechanic Darren Watson, 32, received £50,000 in compensation and legal costs after he was beaten up by officers in a cell and framed for assault.

In January, council worker Craig Vincent, 21, was awarded £40,000 in compensation and costs after a court heard he was CS gassed and wrongfully imprisoned.

Mrs Biswas said: "They are supposed to protect and serve, but instead they think they are above the law."