We're innocent say inquiry couple

A RETIRED police officer from Hailsham contacted the Press this week to protest his innocence after being arrested on suspicion of making indecent pictures of children.

Tony Begbie, 61, a former schools liaison officer with Surrey Police, was arrested last week along with his wife Bernice, 59. Mr Begbie says he has worked extensively in the local community and that he was once described as 'a pioneer' in the education of personal safety for children.

Mr and Mrs Begbie were arrested after police searched their home a fortnight ago and seized items including computer hardware and software. The couple claim they have been the victims of a mistake, and the result has been a series of attacks from local people who presume them to be guilty.

'Me and my wife were out in the garden when we were hit by a ferocious barrage of bricks from over the fence,' said Mr Begbie. 'One hit my wife on the back of the head. She had to have five stitches.

'Three large windows were broken at the side and front of our house, and our van windows were also smashed. They broke just about all the glass they could find.'

Mr Begbie told the Express he was awarded the British Empire Medal for his school liaison work in 1991. His work included a video produced by Rolf Harris entitled 'Kids Can Say No' and a book produced by the Home Office about personal safety for children. In 1990, he presented a paper on his work with children at an international conference in Hamburg one of three such conferences he attended during his career.

Mayor of Hailsham, Cllr Mary Rowe, met with the Begbies on Tuesday, at their request, so that they could 'make her aware of the situation'. Mr Begbie said this week: 'This is all so ludicrous. It's unbelievable.'

The couple are on police bail until May. Three other Hailsham men were also arrested and questioned about indecent pictures of children and also released on police bail.