A MARKET trader from York who faced serious drug charges in Thailand is back home - and today he spoke out to proclaim his innocence.

Terrified Robert Neilson feared he faced the death penalty before he was dramatically cleared by Thai police.

In an exclusive Evening Press interview, he spoke for the first time about his prison ordeal.

The York-born meat seller spent two frightening nights in appalling conditions in a Bangkok jail after being charged with possessing heroin and cannabis.

The charges, which the 45-year-old meat salesman always denied, were later dropped.

But amid reports he faced the death sentence if found guilty of trafficking allegations, his holiday hell made national headlines and had a devastating impact on his family.

Now back working in North Yorkshire markets, Mr Neilson claims he was set up by a bitter ex-girlfriend or a former business colleague.

However, the practising Buddhist refuses to hold grudges and has returned on holiday to his second home of Thailand four times since his arrest.

"I was horrified when I was charged. I've never touched a drug in my life," he said. "But I always knew the truth would come out."

Armed police stormed his Bangkok hotel room last October.

"I didn't know what the hell was going on," he recalled. "I was dozing and before I knew it I was handcuffed and taken to a 20ft by 10ft police cell that stunk of urine and excrement and was packed with 25 prisoners."

Bail attempts were thwarted when his bank refused to give him the £5,000 bond.

"Two police guards accompanied me to the cash machine and despite having an £8,500 limit, it would not give me the cash. The bank said they could not release it because it might not be me making the request.

"I told them to watch News At Ten - I was the main story."

Mr Neilson spent a second sleepless night sweltering behind bars, but was freed next day when bail cash was released.

Updated: 10:21 Friday, September 10, 2004