A FORMER borough Police Community Support Officer cleared of deception this month has told of the depression that she has battled since her arrest.

Saba Sheikh, 27, from Surrey, was a PCSO at South Ockendon Police Station for two years and 11 months before she was arrested on suspicion of obtaining services by deception in August 2007.

A colleague made an accusation that Miss Sheikh had bragged about obtaining SKY TV fraudulently by dropping the ‘H’ in her surname in October 2006.

Miss Sheikh was formally charged with one count of obtaining services by deception in November 2007, and resigned from her £19,000 a year job.

After a four day trial at Basildon Crown Court the jury delivered a verdict of not guilty earlier this month on Thursday October 2.

Speaking about the trial Miss Sheikh said: “I was in court for four days and each day was hell for me, I was driving from my home in Surrey to Essex every day which wore me out physically and mentally, not knowing what the next day would bring.

She added: “For anyone in court - waiting for a verdict from the 12 members of the jury is very scary, especially for being accused of a crime that you did not commit.

“When the verdict was delivered I was overjoyed when the jury found me not guilty.”

Miss Sheikh told how her life has since been affected by the accusation, she said: “It has affected my life considerably where by I haven't worked for over a year, I’ve suffered depression due to this and nobody would offer me a job due to the pending court case at the time.

“My health has deteriorated quite a bit but slowly I am picking myself up again and I have started to rebuild my life.

Miss Sheikh is now anxious to clear her name, and says that it was spelling error made by SKY, not her.

She said: “I think anyone wrongly accused would want their name cleared fully.

“All of the evidence was based on hearsay.

“Surely there must be hundreds, maybe thousands of people whose names have been spelt incorrectly - does that mean that everyone of them is committing fraud?”

Miss Sheikh has urged people to check the spelling of their name when they sign up to things, she added: “When you sign up to any service please always check the spelling of your name as mistakes do happen and innocent people can be accused of crimes not committed by them.”

Speaking about the future she said: “I am looking for more jobs and maybe even thinking of joining the Police Force again but this time near where I live in Surrey.

“The reason I joined the force was because I wanted to offer something good to the community, a reassurance to reduce crime and fear.

“My job made me happy seeing people from the community and interacting with them, solving any issues they had made me feel good and I felt I helped another person.

She added: “I am a 27 year-old who simply is hard working and dedicated to any job I do, always looking out for others and there to help when I can.”

Miss Sheikh has now lodged a complaint with The Independent Police Complaints Commission.