A WILTSHIRE Police civilian worker is reportedly in line for an out-of-court pay out running into a five-figure sum over alleged sexist comments.

Susan Leffers was one of more than 20 women who complained about the actions of former deputy police chief David Ainsworth, who was subsequently found hanged at his home in Potterne earlier this year.

She worked at the police headquarters in Devizes when Mr Ainsworth was Deputy Chief Constable. Up to 24 women who worked there are understood to have made complaints about sexist comments.

Mr Ainsworth, who transferred to the Wiltshire force in 2008 from Kent, where he had been assistant chief constable and served for 22 years, was found hanging in the garage at his home in March this year.

Police confirmed that his death was not being treated as suspicious and it was conjectured that he had taken his own life because of the outstanding allegations, which were being investigated by South Wales police. An inquest is yet to be held.

Mr Ainsworth, 49, was separated from his wife. After the allegations against Mr Ainsworth, he was moved to a back room job and moved from his office at the police HQ to Marlborough Police Station,

After his death, the South Wales force submitted a report to Wiltshire police giving its findings from the investigation into the complaints, although the details of this have not been released.

However, civilian worker Mrs Leffers had taken her complaint about harassment by Mr Ainsworth to a tribunal hearing in Bristol.

Wiltshire police force is understood to be in advanced negotiations for an out-of-court settlement after Wiltshire Police Authority agreed the move at a meeting that was closed to the public.

Mr Ainsworth was found dead six months after being removed from his deputy chief constable duties and moved to oversee the winding down of the unit.