A police sergeant who was cleared of attempted murder last month in the attack of her lesbian lover was jailed for two and a half years last week, according to the British Electronic Telegraph.

Tina Nash, 41, who was a model police officer for more than 20 years, admitted causing her lover, a police inspector, bodily harm in a jealous rage after the breakdown of their relationship.

The prosecution claimed Nash tried to strangle Insp Sara Glen with a T-shirt while she was asleep. Nash become angry when she found out that her 31-year-old lover was having an affair with a third lesbian police officer in the Hampshire force, Sgt Katherine Willoughby and wanted to end their relationship.

The judge said that although he understood that Nash was suffering from a depressive illness at the time, he had to take into account the seriousness of the offence and the effect on Insp Glen who was still suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

He also took into account Nash's exemplary record during her 19-year career with Hampshire Police and added that he was impressed with her range of character witnesses and their quality.