POLICE officers who threw a woman to the ground - resulting in her losing several teeth - used “appropriate force”, an investigation has ruled.

Essex Police launched a probe into its own officers following the arrest of Annabelle Forbes in Preston Road, Westcliff on November 25 last year.

Forbes had several teeth broken, and a later gum infection, when she was shoved to the ground while handcuffed after she appeared to kick out at police.

When the case came before Judge Samantha Leigh at Basildon Crown Court in March, she demanded an explanation from the superintendent, saying Forbes had no way to protect herself and she “face-planted” the floor.

However, Essex Police has ruled the action by officers was justified.

A spokesman for the force said: “We received a complaint on November 25, 2019 relating to an allegation of excessive use of force.

“We referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which decided the incident could be investigated locally.

“The investigation, which was finalised on April 2, found the use of force was appropriate in the circumstances of the incident and the complaint was not upheld.

“An appeal against this decision was lodged with the IOPC on July 21.”

Forbes, 22, of Hamlet Road, Westcliff did not receive immediate treatment for her broken teeth which were removed while she was in prison, and will have to live with dentures for the rest of her life.

Body cam footage of the incident played out at court showed Forbes crying out in pain as she hit the floor.

The officers were responding to a disturbance of which she was not the cause.

Forbes was jailed on March 4 for 16 weeks for assaulting an emergency worker. 

The IOPC will decide whether the appeal can proceed.