Arrest of Brown shattered PC partner

CHURCH-going policewoman Lois Murray felt her “whole world had collapsed” when her PC fiance was arrested for corruption.

At one point the 34-year-old was found by a friend making arrangements for her own funeral, Newcastle Crown Court heard during the case which ended with disgraced former constable Graham Brown being jailed for seven years.

The couple had recently become engaged and had set a wedding date for December 2002 and she was planning to spend the rest of her life with Brown.

A regular churchgoer, the court heard how she had wanted to become a police officer since she was 14.

Miss Murray featured in a Northumbria Police recruitment handbook in which she explained her difficult path into the force, including extra study at night school to pass her exams.

Before joining the force she did voluntary work with disabled people and disadvantaged children. She qualified as a police officer in October 1995 on her second attempt to join Northumbria Police.

She told the jury which cleared her of both charges she faced that she was "very proud" to wear the uniform and strenuously denied she was guilty of corruption or misconduct in public office.

She was shocked at being charged and at one point told the court she could not believe fellow officers were taking the word of Tommy Hay against her.

Asked if she received a £300 (€428) "bung" from Hay, Ms Lois Murray told the court: "Tommy Hay says a lot of things, it's total and utter lies, I never, ever did."