A FORMER hospital manager who was sent two kippers and three poison pen letters in the post has won a partial victory in her complaint against Kent Police's handling of the case.

Ex-finance manager Elaine Butler received the fish in two separate packages, alongside three spite-filled letters, between October 2003 and March 2004.

The fish and letters were addressed to Darent Valley Hospital, at Dartford.

But Mrs Butler claimed police failed to give her a crime reference number for five months and didn’t take a statement until seven months after the incident.

She said: “Regrettably this experience caused me to lose all faith and confidence in a service which, until then, I had the utmost respect for.”

Mrs Butler complained to Kent police and an internal investigation was conducted.

But, unhappy at its consequent report, Mrs Butler appealed to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

The IPCC has partially upheld the complaint and is advising Kent police speak to the investigating officers.

Commissioner Nicola Williams said: “I have decided that the appropriate sanction would be to issue formal advice against the officers concerned.”

Mrs Butler made headlines earlier this year when she took Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust to an employment tribunal for unfair dismissal on the grounds of whistle blowing.

However the case was eventually settled out of court.