A woman Police constable who claimed she was sexually harassed by another officer broke down in tears during a Board of Inquiry hearing yesterday.

The 26-year-old, who has now quit the Bermuda Police Service, gave evidence for four hours in the tribunal of another constable she accuses of assaulting her.

Neither P.c. A, the alleged victim, nor P.c. B, her accused and still a serving officer, can be identified.

But Board of Inquiry chairman Tim Marshall ruled yesterday that the hearing must stay in public.

And P.c. A told the tribunal how she quit her job as a Policewoman after being "let down'' by the force and the Attorney General's Chambers who failed to bring her accused to justice.

She complained to the Human Rights Commission which convened the Board of Inquiry through a Government tribunal.

And P.c. A told the civil hearing that said she feared nobody would believe her story, claiming similar incidents throughout the force were being trivialised by Police chiefs.

Wiping back tears, the former officer -- who now has another, less well-paid job -- told how she followed P.c. B into his office at Somerset Police station on September 11, 1996.

She claimed she was simply trying to pay a bill to the officer when he forced himself on her.

"P.c. B took both of his hands and grabbed hold of my face and pulled my face towards his,'' she said, crying.

"My arms were clamped down whilst his hands were on my face. P.c. B then pressed his lips against mine very hard. I was trying very hard to prevent this.

"He then managed to get his tongue inside of my mouth. I was trying to push him away from me and I was trying to keep my mouth tight.'' P.c. A, questioned by her lawyer Clare Hatcher, said she tried to get out of the office as she struggled to stop him closing the door.

She added: "I tried to keep him away from me by pushing my hands out.

However, he was holding his hands out trying to put them on me.

"P.c. B then grabbed his private parts and he said to me: `Look at what you do to me'.

"I saw that there was a bulge when he was holding his private parts. P.c. B also said to me that he wanted me.

"He repeatedly groaned and he repeated those words more than once -- that he wanted me and the fact that this was what I had done to him. I was very frightened at this time.

"And I said to P.c. B: `Something is very wrong with you. You are sick.' '' The alleged victim, who is bringing the case after a collapsed Police investigation and prosecution, said she even went to wash her mouth out after spending ten to 15 minutes in the office.

She said it was days before she could bring herself to report the incident to her superior officer, a Sergeant.

"I was still withdrawn and I didn't really talk with any of my colleagues,'' said P.c. A, who said she felt angry, upset and dirty, cried helplessly, had sleepless nights and numerous counselling sessions.

"I was very angry and confused about if I should say anything to anyone. I didn't think that anyone would believe me because I knew of various incidents of a sexual nature that had taken place throughout the Service that were not being properly dealt with.

"I was also involved with an incident with my best friend where she was sexually assaulted by a Police officer and the case was taking forever to get dealt with.'' P.c. A said she finally turned her back on a Police career after seven years with the force in December, 1997.

Richard Hector QC, representing the accused officer, will respond tomorrow morning.

Mr. Marshall will also consider a bid by Ms Hatcher to introduce "similar fact'' evidence regarding a previous incident involving the respondent, P.c.

A.

Ms Hatcher told the hearing that the Human Rights Act provided for freedom from sexual harassment in the workplace.