A North Yorkshire police officer has been charged with making nuisance phone calls and using threatening behaviour.

PC Arthur Swaine, a licensing officer in York, was due to appear before magistrates in Harrogate yesterday to answer the allegations, but the case was adjourned in his absence.

Swaine, 47, of Acomb Road, Holgate, York, is expected to plead not guilty when he attends court on May 14.

He is accused of persistently making use of a public telecommunications system for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another at York on April 10.

A further charge claims that on the same date, Swaine used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, with intent to cause Heather Swaine harassment, alarm or distress.

Updated: 11:58 Friday, April 20, 2001