A former detective is suing Essex Police for a prank which she claims “ruined her career”.

Rebecca Jenkins, 33, of Wickford, is trying to claim £500,000 after her boss hid her phone in the ceiling void above her desk.

When she went to retrieve it, she fell and damaged her knee, Central London County Court heard.

Her barrister, Andy Roy told the court it had been a “dream” career to work as a detective, but she was the butt of a “culture of pranking” at Grays Police Station, where she worked.

She claims she has suffered depression, pain and an ongoing ‘adjustment disorder’, for which she is claiming £500,000 damages.

Ms Jenkins told the court that although she tried to “give as good as she got”, she was targeted as the newest arrival at the station.

She admitted the jokes were “good-humoured” and harmless, and intended to “boost morale” in a stressful workplace.

She was dismissed from Essex Police in 2017 and now hopes to work as a teacher.

Lawyers representing Essex Chief Constable, Stephen Kavanagh, are fighting Ms Jenkins’ damages bid.

As well as disputing the extent of her injuries, they argue that what Sergeant Blakesley did was no more than a ‘good-hearted workplace prank’.

They also claim that he told her not to climb onto her desk and offered to retrieve the phone for her himself.

The hearing continues.