Constance Briscoe

Constance Briscoe's account in a 2006 book titled 'Ugly' in which she painted a childhood of abuse - that she was punched, kicked and beaten by her mother - was not libellous, a court decided today.

Carmen Briscoe-Mitchell, 74, from Southwark, south-east London, sued her daughter and publisher Hodder & Stoughton, and denied the allegations as "nonsense" and "lies" and that she had nothing but a loving relationship with her daughter.

Mrs Briscoe-Mitchell, a mother of 11, gave evidence that she had worked hard as a dressmaker to raise her family, often in the absence of their father. However, the court saw evidence from Southwark borough's social services department which showed allegations that she had locked her then 14 year old son Carlton in a room and threatened to punish him by stripping him naked and beating him.

Briscoe, 51, burst into tears when the unanimous verdict was read out in her favour. Speaking to the BBc, she said:

"I am very happy with the jury's verdict.

"It is sad that my mother still feels the need to pursue me. Now I just want to get on with my career,"

"I can quite understand why my family went into collective denial but whilst child abuse may be committed behind closed doors it should never be swept under the carpet."

In a statement, the publishers Hodder & Stoughton said:

"Sadly, as we know from the news over the past few weeks, child abuse is all too common and nothing and no one should ever stand in the way of the truth."

Constance Briscoe, herself a female judge, has published two volumes of her family life - Ugly was followed by Beyond Ugly.