Drugs, robberies, affairs and court cases have made Arthur Swaine's life a nightmare.

Today he talks exclusively to the Evening Press about the events that have driven him to the point of suicide

A RING on the doorbell at 7.30am almost two years ago heralded a chain of events which left a respected police officer in despair.

When PC Arthur Swaine popped downstairs in his dressing gown to answer what he thought was the postman, he faced five plainclothes police officers ... and arrest for armed robbery.

The previous year the York licensing officer had had an affair with Justine Hepplewhite, a 30-year-old student.

Now a Ford Escort belonging to her had been discovered close to a rural post office - which had been robbed at gunpoint.

PC Swaine was driven off to Skipton police station, to the distress of his wife, Heather, and their two children.

Colleagues in North Yorkshire Police then searched his house from top to bottom, seizing computer equipment and clothing.

A police-issue balaclava helmet was discovered, and a cannabis joint was found in his briefcase.

The drug, worth 50p, later earned the PC a £75 fine after a court heard it was for the benefit of his wife, who suffered from arthritis.

Only days later, PC Swaine was arrested again on an allegation of attempting to pervert the course of justice after, he freely admits, naively speaking to a potential witness.

"I was very distressed and had a conversation I shouldn't have done," he says.

"I ended up getting arrested again, but once more no charges came."

PC Swaine is the first to admit that he brought a lot of his troubles upon himself.

"I am innocent of the armed robbery," he insists. "But I did have an affair with Justine Hepplewhite and that is something that I regret.

"Had I known any of this was going to happen then I would never have done this.

"I wish I could turn back the clock and still be living happily with the wife and kids, whom I dearly love."

He also admits to other affairs in the past, all of which he now regrets.

Although Heather stood by her man through these infidelities at first, things turned sour in March this year and PC Swaine left the marital home. Injunctions and court cases followed and a series of distressing incidents led to this week's appearance in front of magistrates once more.

"I don't blame Heather," he admits, holding back the tears.

"It may be too late now, but I wanted to sort things out with her.

"She is the mother of our children and I still have strong feelings for her."

Were it not for a few close friends, he says, he would be in the Ouse by now.

A lot of his former colleagues have abandoned him, he says.

"I think I have been dealt with very badly by the police," he says.

"Former colleagues turn their back on me in the streets. A lot of people have been judgmental and small-minded, choosing to listen to rumours rather than my side of the story."

And what now?

PC Swaine won't be working again in the near future. Stress and ill-health prevent that.

He may stay in York; he may follow the children if Heather leaves.

The pub trade in York is now mourning the loss of a good licensing officer who bitterly regrets the part he played in his own downfall

Updated: 12:45 Wednesday, September 05, 2001