A CONVENT worker accused of vandalising a neighbour's car has had her name cleared after information came from the police.

Jean Hall, 57, had been charged with damage and threatening damage and was to face trial on Wednesday.

Judge Pamela Badley told Mrs Hall, of Todmorden Road, Burnley, she was free to leave the court without a stain on her character.

She was was said to have told her neighbour his car would perhaps not look as nice with four slashed tyres.

The alleged victim had found the tyres damaged on his vehicle the next morning, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Hilary Manley told the court on Wednesday that when Mrs Hall had been arrested she denied having anything to do with the damage. She also said she could not recall making the alleged comments.

Miss Manley said reports just handed over to prosecution by the police showed the alleged victim had had his tyres slashed on many previous occasions and had even named a man he felt might be the culprit because of a work feud.

Miss Manley said: "It doesn't undermine the prosecution case, it destroys it. It was a weak and circumstantial case to begin with."

The prosecutor said she regretted the material had not been brought to her attention earlier.