Original subtitles

So I went back to bed.

And why didn't you mention all this in your original statement to the police?

Oh, I did.

I don't know why they didn't take it down, but I told them everything I saw.

Yeah, of course it's crap.

But if that stuff comes out with the clear wind tonight, I am in deep shit.

We're in deep shit. Satch.

Satch, will you quit panicking and get off the telephone? I'm missing it.

Who has the answers?

Was an innocent man so consumed by grief and guilt misinterpreted, making it

look like an admission to a murder that had not taken place?

Was this a terrible miscarriage of justice or a domestic argument that got

tragically out of hand?

After the break, we'll disclose details of a past connection between Detective

Superintendent Walker and James McCready, of which the defence at trial.

We're unaware.

They're more than pointing the finger at this misconduct.

They've already brought up the missing brandy glass, crime scene photo, plus

forensic logs.

What's this?

Hmm.

What's that on the phone?

Oh, that.

Getting even niggers on a twist.

This is crap.

They get nothing. They get nothing.

Dave. Start the car.

A newspaper article dated 16th June 1977 reports an

incident in Glasgow 15 years prior to the murder of Gary Meadows, which proves

that Detective Superintendent Michael Walker and James McCready had met

Walker, then a PC, had been called in to break up a brawl at the Brown Tavern.

along with colleague and friend, PC Colin Hood.

In the ensuing fracas, Hood was stabbed and later died in hospital from his

wounds. We talked to Colin's sister, Elizabeth Hood. That's Liz.

Colin's sister.

When he died, he was the sweetest, kindest person,

totally dedicated to his job.

James McCready often stayed with a relative on the estate we lived on.

He seemed like a pleasant young man.

Look at that, they've cut some of that out.

and vehemently denied suggestions of McCready's involvement.

But could it be that 15 years later, Michael Walker still had a grudge

McCready, and held him in some way responsible for the murder of Colin

If this is the case, could this have influenced the way in which the Meadows

case was handled?

Was James McCready framed for a murder he did not commit?

about a sodding brandycloth.

The bastards have just suspended me from duty.

Oh, shit.

I'm sorry. Yeah, so am I, Satch. I'm sick of the sodding media dictating

procedure. MacReady must be creaming himself.

Shit! I'm going to be pushing paper for the next six months because of him and

that bullshit documentary.

How the hell did they dig up all that stuff about Glasgow anyway?

Research, if that'll get.

Yeah, well, I'm going to do some research on my own, thank you very much.

going to find George Connolly and get the truth once and for all.

Colin is the guy that took the rap from McCready for the Glasgow Motors, right?

Yeah, he must be a present by now. Well, how the hell are you going to find him?

The TV lot obviously couldn't, otherwise they'd have had him on the bloody

documentary as well.

Yeah, I've got friends up there.

His dad jogged for starters.

And Colin and I lived nearly from the same house with him in Glasgow growing

Yeah, I think I might check part up with him and meet my mum at the same time.

Go chipboards at one stone.

I thought you had an interview with a PCA woman.

Yeah, I do.

Look, I saw no reason to mention the Glasgow case because McCready had been

released without charge.

McCready may have implied that I had something personal against him, but I

don't.

If I had at any time given him reason to believe that I and my investigation

were prejudiced, why didn't he mention it at the time?

How close were you to Colin Hoda?

Not very.

As they say in the documentary, we...

We went together now and again.

But the only bloody thing they did get right part of them up was a pack of

Eight years later and people start recalling facts they didn't mention

huh? It's all very convenient, isn't it?

But I suppose back then there wasn't a documentary being paid.

Made.

Why did Fiona Meadows not give evidence at MacReady's trial?

She was only a seven -year -old kid, for God's sake. So traumatised she couldn't

speak.

We did have a videotaped interview with a child protection officer, but I was

advised by the prosecution barrister at the time that it was inadmissible

evidence because she couldn't be cross -examined.

What did she say on this video?

It wasn't exactly what she said. She barely spoke.

She was done with terror, but she made it clear McCready stabbed her father.

So where's this video now?

Disappeared without trace.

It was eight years ago, after all.

Well, we'll definitely look into that.

Now, McCready's allegations that you're homophobic... You've bullied

him whilst in police custody.

Oh, please, please.

Look,

I work with gay people like a gay friend, so sexual preference is none of

bloody business.

You know, perhaps if McCready had had a gay MP championing his cause at the time

of his trial, he might have tried it on with these accusations.

But he didn't. It's all fabrication.

So these accusations of police misconduct... Are completely unfounded.

concluded McCready killed his partner in cold blood. I am certain any appeal

will produce the same verdict.

Well, we just have a few more questions.

We won't keep you much longer.

Take all the time you want, sweetheart.

As you know, I've been suspended from duty.

There's been a tremendous reaction to the television documentary.

All positive feedback. Yeah, I've had loads of letters.

Like fan mail.

Apparently, Fiona Meadows was video interviewed by a child protection

shortly after your arrest.

Did you know anything about it?

She could hardly speak.

No one ever mentioned anything about a video.

That's impossible. Fiona was in a complete state of shock after her father

If they had made a video, surely they would have used it at the trial.

I don't know, but apparently a video interview was done.

That can't be true.

What, you mean there's a tape?

Well, the police don't actually have a copy of it.

Apparently all CPT interviews are sent to a property store in Chalk Farm and

kept there till the child turns 18.

But there's no record of Fiona's interview ever being sent.

Oh, I see.

Are they likely to find it?

Eight years after your trial?

Well, I seriously doubt it.

But, um, could there be anything contradictory on it?

I mean, could Fiona have said anything that might incriminate you?

Anything that differs from her present statement? No, of course not. I just

Fiona to tell the court the truth.

Okay.

Okay, if you're sure.

Only I was... I was hesitating calling her. Call her?

She's my most valuable witness and I want Fiona called.

I've nothing to hide.

I'll get some flowers for your mum, yeah? Good idea. Give me the bag. I'm

Hey, you're not supposed to carry anything.

I'll call her.

Hello? Hello? Yeah, it's Mike.

Your son?

Yeah, yeah.

Now, can you hear me?

We're at the station.

Yeah, the North Glasgow. Yeah, we're just going here.

Yes, she's with me.

Yeah?

Pat. Yes, Pat. Now, listen.

I don't want any nonsense from you, okay? Do you hear me?

I want you to be nice to her.

Promise me?

Okay.

Um... Listen, man, has anybody called and left any messages for me?

Okay. If they do, take their name and number and tell them I'll call them

Yeah? Okay.

No, we're just leaving the station now. We're just going to get a taxi and we'll

be with you and we'll see what happens.

Okay, darling. Take care.

Bye.

Well, she's really pleased she's at last going to meet you.

Where's the bag?

Don't panic.

Sean? It's me, to me.

Did you see it?

The guy they used to play me wasn't as good looking.

It's looking good.

Of course you can, mate.

I'll sort it for you when I'm out.

Now listen.

George Connolly.

Have you found him yet?

and when you do, the guy ain't crying, doesn't he?

I thought I would talk to you later.

Yeah, yeah.

She's expecting us.

Hello? Hi, Mom, it's Mike.

Would you buzz us in, please?

Ma, will you keep your finger on the buzzer a little bit longer? We're still

outside.

Hello there.

Money, money.

I'd be in trouble if I couldn't.

I've been on my own long enough.

Hello, Mark. Good to see you.

Mum, this is Pat. Pat, this is my mum, Violet. Hi, Violet. It's really great to

meet you. These are for you.

Thank you.

You'd better come in.

I sit short and focused.

I've not had time to do any housework.

And my help only comes in once a week.

Will you be staying overnight?

Or is this like your usual ten minutes and off again?

We'll stay.

I am flattered.

There'll be more than a cup of tea then.

Makes a change.

Will you be sharing the spare room?

We will, now don't use that.

Give that to your friend.

And there's biscuit too.

Thanks.

It's nice to see you.

How are my grandchildren?

They're fine.

And Lynn?

Is she well? She's fine. They're all fine.

I sent your birthday card to your home.

Yes, Lynn sent it on to me to my new home.

I might go to stay with Lynn, she's asked.

It'll be nice to see the grandchildren.

I'll get that.

Oh, that might be Jock Connolly.

He rang earlier.

Have you lived here long, Violet?

It's part of a rehousing scheme for the elderly.

They moved me in with a lot of old women I don't know.

I hate it.

Biscuit.

No, I won't. Thanks.

These are lovely photos.

Yes.

Those are my grandchildren.

Lynn's such a wonderful mother.

Listen,

I've got to go out for a bit.

OK, OK, I'll come with you.

No, it's George Connolly's father. He's going to show me where George is.

Apparently he's dossing down with some drunks in a squirt somewhere.

Why don't you just leave this alone, Mike?

Mum, we've got some news for you.

It's not really... We're going to have a baby.

You're having another grandchild.

It'll be illegitimate.

You should both be ashamed. shamed of yourselves at your age.

And you've already got two children. Not by the woman I'm in love with and

intend to marry.

You'd better get a divorce first.

Look, let's talk about this later, Ma, OK?

I've got in a pout for a bit. Will you take care of Pat for me?

I'm sorry about this. I really don't think it's wise for you to come as a

prisoner of failure.

OK, I'll stay here. I'll be fine.

Back since I can, of course.

Bye, Ma.

Take care.

I have every right to feel the way I do.

He should never have left his wife, worse, his two children.

He was a higher one for the ladies.

Come out, what's up?

No, thank you.

Look, Violet, it's pretty obvious that I'm not welcome here.

I'm sorry.

Mike led me to believe... What has he told you?

Never believe a word he says.

He always was a liar.

His father was the same.

Never told the truth about a thing.

I was always surprised he left Lynn.

When his dad left her, he was broken -hearted.

He knows what divorce can do to a family.

So what? What do you do?

Has he not told you?

He hasn't. Then he keeps everything to himself.

I'm a police officer.

I see.

You work for him, do you? And did you not know he was married when you started

up with him?

Married and with two Waynes.

Then, I suppose, when you get to your age and you're not married, you make do

with what you can.

Violet, I had absolutely nothing to do with their separation.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to wait in the bedroom.

How are Georgie's kids?

Oh, doing well.

They're living in America now.

Sheila's shooting them over there after he was sent down.

Sometimes I close guards.

Once I even got a home video.

The Grand Wings and Disneyland.

Oh, dear.

They're real Americans, they are.

That's true.

Go, Sheila.

Getting out is probably the best move to make.

Aye.

You know, he's been in and out of rehab like a yo -yo.

He's trying to keep off the drugs.

He was always saying he was going to go over and see her, but he couldn't get

himself straight enough to get as far as the airport.

Aye, still a crazy bastard.

He always was.

Now he's even worse.

He thinks somebody's trying to kill him.

Drinking drugs, that's been the bane of his life and mine.

Well, look, I'm going to love you and leave you because I've had too many run

into him. I know he's better, but I can't take no more.

I appreciate your empathy, Bob.

There's nothing you can do for him.

It's too late.

Long time no see, Georgie.

You hear you?

Mike Walker.

Do I know you?

Aye, you did.

A long time ago.

You were always going to join a band.

Back in the old days.

Did you say your name was?

Mike Walker.

I need to talk to you.

Oh yeah, what about?

Come on you, what is it?

It's about Jimmy McCready.

You don't scare me.

You don't scare me.

I'll smash your son of a bitch's face in.

Come on, Martini.

Free me.

Come on.

You owe me a bastard.

You don't scare me none.

I'll kill you.

He didn't send me.

Get him with the kicks.

He can't hurt me.

I feel no pain.

I'd call 12 years a lot of pain for something you didn't do, George.

All right.

It's Mike.

Mike Walker.

Look at me, George.

Do you not remember me?

Do we pull this way?

There you go.

You offering me a drink?

You got a pie on?

See you

in

all my treaty.

Oh, come on, Georgie, I was there.

That's stabbing.

You were so drugged up you couldn't even walk, let alone kill anybody.

But who used the knife, George?

Because I know it wasn't you.

You'd blood all down your face, right?

That's right.

You'd get cut.

Aye, I'd get cut.

But who'd call it who's blood in his hands?

No, you.

No, you, George. You tell me it wasn't you.

I'm sick, George.

I hope you're real sick.

Can I have a smoke?

Do you want to know why I took the rap?

For that mother.

Rosie, for my Katie's sake, I didn't give a shit about that bastard.

I did it so my wee girls wouldn't end up dripping at the nose with Asia 14.

Is that good enough for you?

I did some bad things.

For the moments I'll die happy with them. My wee girls being bored.

Going home to them.

Sarah.

Sarah.

Sarah.

I did it for my kids.

They hung my wee girl over the railings.

They let her drop.

And I got them out far away from here.

You want to fight me, you bastard?

McCready can stand here he wants. Come on, you bastard!

You want to have some fun?

Give us a tenner.

Give us a fiver, then.

Oi!

Todo shit.

Connolly and MacReady were drugged up, right?

And I know MacReady had the knife because he was the one who cut me.

And even though I didn't see it, I know MacReady then stabbed Hood and then

persuaded Connolly to say that he had done it. But why would Connolly do that?

Oh, God, no, sweetheart.

I mean, Connolly was only 19, but had already had two kids.

Married Sheila when he was 16 because she was pregnant.

No sooner was one born than another was on the way. I mean, by that time, she

was as drugged up as he was.

So George gets a life sentence and MacReady walks free.

But I still don't see why Connolly would agree to that.

He said they'd threatened his kids, held one of them over some railings or

something. Also, he was up to his eyes in debt to half the drug barons of

Glasgow, as well as McCready.

OK. So you think that McCready agreed to pay off Connolly's debt and that's why

he went along with it, yeah?

Yeah, probably.

No. I don't believe it.

How long's Connolly been out of jail?

For the murder?

It was released after 12 years on licence, but he was in and out of

rehabs and institutions for drugs ever since. He may be a drug addict, but he's

not a killer.

And what if you're wrong?

I'm not.

He thought MacReady had sent me.

That's why he was so paranoid he attacked me.

So you think that whilst MacReady's in prison... His pumps aren't.

That's why he's so paranoid.

I'm going back.

What happened, Officer?

There's been a fire at the back of the building.

It's under control now. You should stay back, though.

Yeah, do you know how it started?

Well, one of the kids said something about petrol being poured over someone.

Drug -related, I imagine.

OK, I'll take your talk. Thanks.

One of them pointed at him and said, Is that George Connolly?

I nodded.

And then he dragged him over and started pouring petrol over him.

I yelled at them.

But the two were mad.

He never did nothing to stop them.

He was lying there.

All his clothes on fire.

Then he ran over.

Searching for help.

But they just walked away, laughing.

He called out for his kids.

He was calling for his little girl.

Hey, I'll be back just after the funeral.

Okay.

Don't mind me leaving now, dear. It's just I don't like to think much more.

My dear little mum. No way. She takes a lot of getting used to.

So... Take care. Okay.

Oh. Yeah.

See you soon.

Bye -bye.

Hello?

Mike? Yeah. It's Liz.

Liz Hood. Liz, thanks for getting back to me.

I wasn't surprised to get your message.

I saw a miscarriage of justice.

What was a miscarriage of justice was the way they cut my interview to shreds.

I agreed to go on the show to talk about Colin.

They made it look like I was supporting MacCready.

I knew it. I knew it must have been something like that.

I was so angry about it, I decided to do a bit of digging of my own.

I think you might be interested in what I found out.

Okay, how are we feeling today?

Nervous. Yes, quite.

Well, I thought I'd come by to tell you what's on the menu for the day. We've

got a good short.

I don't know if it's out of the ish bit.

Well, we've avoided the obvious ogres, at least. We've got Lord Justice

Bradfield sitting in the middle. Very courteous, very unstuffy.

Top civil barrister in his time. He'll give us a fair hearing.

Mr Justice Winfield on the right. He's a little trickier. If he doesn't like

your case, he'll let you know pretty quickly.

Well, he was a good, solid criminal man at the bar.

Seen it all before.

At least he knows that criminal trial can and do go wrong sometimes.

So, what's tricky about it?

Well, he tends to growl at counsel a little, but that's my worry, not yours.

On the left is Mrs Justice Piggott.

Caroline to her friends.

Fairly new at the Court of Appeal.

Generally regarded as pretty clever.

How do I address them?

You don't. You say absolutely nothing. You just sit there, keep your head down,

let me do the talking.

Not like a trial, you see. We only have leave to bring our fresh evidence and

call Vera and Fiona.

Apart from that, they'll have read all the papers before they come into court.

They'll have sorted out which bits they're interested in.

What, you mean made up their minds before they are?

That doesn't sound too encouraging.

No, no, not at all, no.

Having read the skeleton arguments on both sides, they won't need to go

the detail of every point in open court.

What's the prosecuting barrister like?

Pembroke.

Quite a florid style.

Deadly cross -examiner.

You'll have to be careful of a 15 -year -old witness like Fiona, though. The

court won't get impressed if he starts bullying her.

Fiona can take care of herself.

You'll see.

Well, I'd better get up to court.

See that all our witnesses are pitched up. They should have. It's 20 past.

I'm sure they'll be there.

Fingers crossed, eh? No, I don't need to.

I've every faith in you.

Watching that documentary brought it all back.

Connolly didn't kill your brother, Liz. I'm sure of it. I know.

A friend of mine works in the same firm of solicitors as a guy called Ben

Duffield.

Recognise the name?

That piece of scum.

Yeah, the very same.

Well, you know that back in the 70s and 80s there was a well -known fact that

Duffield was bent.

He took backhanders left, right and centre.

All the juggies used him.

Oh, yeah, if there was a bust, he would get there before the bloody cops.

Yeah, exactly.

Well, supposedly he's cleaned up his act.

Very respectable now.

No whisper of his past.

But when I found out he was executor of Gary Meadows' estate, as well as

representing MacReady... Yeah, whoa, whoa, whoa, you're going too fast. What

estate are you talking about?

It's one hell of a conflict of interest, Mike.

Duffield is handling Fiona Meadows' inheritance and representing the man

convicted of killing her father.

What, was that legal?

I'm afraid so.

I got so angry that he was up for an appeal that I got my friend to do some

digging. Now, this is totally off the record, Mike, because she could lose her

job over this. Okay, I hear you. What have you got?

Well, apparently, Gary Meadows was completely broke when he died. Had to

thing to Fiona.

But a year ago, Gary's sister died very suddenly of a brain tumour.

She had a life insurance policy of £150 ,000.

That's about £50 ,000 in cash.

Yeah, who gets it?

Ah, that's the tricky bit.

She hadn't changed her will since Gary's death.

She left everything to her brother and his heirs.

Fiona, that is.

with the money to go into her trust fund for her, if she died before 3 -0 and I

was 21.

And Dirty Duff, the old hand in the trust fund. You got it.

200 grand's a lot of money.

I'd like to know if it's all still there.

Thanks. I appreciate this, Liz.

Look, if there's anything else, give me a call.

Take care. See you.

The Queen against James McCready.

All together too many things in this case. Are you

James McCready? I am.

Please be seated.

Yes, Mr. Ruggins.

Oh, he's the one.

Lords, milady, I represent this appellant.

together with my friend Mr. Bum.

The Crown are represented by my learned friend Mr.

Pembroke and Mr.

Freeman.

This case comes before the court, the single judge having granted leave to

appeal in February this year.

The appellant was convicted of murder at the Central Criminal Court on September

26,

1992.

The single judge granted an extension of time of some eight years.

Mr. Rylands, you may take it that we've read the transcripts and your grounds

and the skeleton submissions and are familiar with most, if not all, of the

papers in this case.

It comes to this, does it not?

The appellant was convicted of the murder of his partner, Gary Meadows, who

from a single stab wound to his back penetrating up into the heart.

No one else, other than the appellant, was in any way involved in the incident

that led up to that injury being sustained.

You now, with the leave of the single judge, wish to call fresh evidence,

particularly from the deceased's daughter, Fiona, who was present in the

at the time, and also from a neighbour, Vera Collingwood.

The evidence is said to support the defence given at trial, but rejected by

jury that the injury was...

or may have been the result of an accident, pure and simply.

But the deceased's injury was, in short, self -inflicted.

My lord, as ever, puts it much more succinctly than I could possibly have

to. That is why he sits up there and you Rylans are down here with us lesser

mortals.

Yes? Hi, Thatch, it's me. Can you talk? Yeah, I'm just on my wife's call.

Are you back?

No, I've got to stay for a funeral.

Listen, George Connolly's been murdered. What?

Yeah, I don't want to go into it right now, but I need you to do me a big

favour. Yeah?

Yeah, look, you know I wouldn't ask if I wasn't desperate, but I need

information about transactions from a certain bank account.

Yeah, and how am I supposed to do that, then?

I thought you could use that woman. It's up to your body to help.

Mad Mel, isn't it? I thought you said she could hack into MI5.

That was a joke, mate.

You're saying she couldn't hack into a simple bank account?

No, I'm just saying I'm not sure I'm prepared to risk my manhood finding out.

Yeah, manhood. What manhood? Listen, just offer her up the body. I need that

information first.

You further complained that evidence relating to a brandy glass was not

disclosed at trial and that its disclosure would have been of material

assistance to the defence.

That is correct, Lord.

Mr Pembroke.

Could you help us?

What is the Crown's position in relation to the brandy glass?

You do concede, do you, that it was clearly disclosable?

We do, of course, but we go on to say it could not have contributed in any

significant way to the defence case, nor in any sense could it have weakened the

Crown's case.

Our position is therefore disclosable but immaterial.

Yes, thank you. At this stage we simply...

We should know whether we may consider it as evidence.

What weight it has will be of a different matter.

My lady, yes.

Mr. Rylands, are you content with that?

Well, the appellant would contend that its non -production was, yes, as a

of bad faith on the part of the officer in charge of the investigation.

On my part, you will have an uphill task to establish...

that any officer in this case has deliberately withheld this piece of

knowing it might affect the outcome of the case.

My Lord, we say it is a possibility.

It clearly was withheld and clearly shouldn't have been.

Shall we proceed to the moment on that basis and leave to one side any issue

with that case, which we can return to if it becomes necessary?

Of course, my Lord.

The glass...

could well have confirmed the defendant's account given in an

Meadows' injury was received entirely by accident.

Having made up, McCready told officers that he and his partner surveyed their

respective wounds and then went to bed where they shared a glass of brandy.

had the glass been examined for saliva and blood, and had it shown that

both had drunk from it at a time after there was blood on both men,

The jury might well have been reluctant to conclude that one man had stabbed the

other to death.

A drink shared together after the accident would be surely quite

with the Crown's case of one man stabbing another to death. Mr. Rydhams,

really on solid ground here?

Supposing the glass had appeared at trial and it did indeed have

lip marks, saliva, blood or whatever from both parties.

I imagine the Crown would say that the appellant, after stabbing his friend,

tried to revive him with a medicinal brandy.

What is there to prevent such a scenario?

As my Lord pleases, but surely an attempt to revive would have been

with an accident.

I am not overly impressed by the potential of the brandy glass.

As I see it, the terms of this appeal is limited to the fresh evidence.

Yes, my Lord.

Melanie, you look fantastic.

Not quite the formal me you're used to, eh?

Come in.

It'd be a... Oh, David.

You couldn't have.

So, if you want to stay one step ahead of the game, you've got to get your head

around this new software.

Yeah, well, like I said on the phone, I've been having real trouble working

through some of this coursework.

So, you want some private tuition, do you?

Or have you got an ulterior motive for coming here? Well, kind of.

I have a girlfriend, we... I've got a cat, but I don't brag about my pussy.

What is it that you want?

Bank account?

That's illegal.

And for an inferior Merleau and a bunch of flowers from the corner shop, I'm not

prepared to take the risk.

There's no risk.

It's not like we're breaking into the Bank of England.

It's just a question of me sorting out a personal matter.

I'd, uh... I would really, really appreciate it, Merleau.

You sit your tight little ass down next to mine.

Breaking into someone's bank account is a risk, personal or not.

Of course, I've spent years networking my contacts.

Let me explain the intricate art of hacking to you.

I've still got so much to do.

I'm never going to be ready for this baby.

If you go back to work after what?

Three, six months?

You'll be knackered and you'll probably feel guilty.

You've got to be organised to maximise the time with the baby.

Well, Mike will help.

Trust me, you think he will.

The responsibility will all come down on your shoulders. It'll be you that has

to think ahead.

Are you going to find out what it'll be for our girl?

Oh, I don't know.

I don't know what I'm doing.

And all this eating doesn't help either.

I must be out of my mind.

No, you're not.

But it'll be a change in your life, all right.

Lucky you.

It's moving round again.

I still can't believe this is happening.

As we see it, there are three important facts in this case.

Firstly, the account given at trial was precisely the account given

by the appellant at a time when he couldn't possibly have known what

investigators would find.

Secondly, there isn't a single piece of forensic evidence available to

contradict his account.

So much was confirmed by the exhibits officer in a highly complex scene as he

characterized it.

It was replete with what one might describe as clues in the form of smears

drops of blood originating from both parties, but chiefly from the appellant,

distributed about the mobile home in a pattern that confirmed the appellant's

account. I'm sorry, Mr Rylands.

Can you tell me which are the relevant photographs of the scene?

Yes, milady.

17 to 30.

17 to 30.

Of course, the photographs can't tell you the sequence in which the blood was

distributed around the mobile home. What they can confirm, however, is that the

appellant's account of his movement and to a lesser extent of Meadows' movements

were consistent with the pattern of blood staining found by the exhibits

officer. And of course, your point is that when he gave this account, he'd not

seen any photographs.

And reasonably, the DNA testing was not done until some time later.

Precisely.

Ah, come on, come on, come on.

You owe me big time.

With mad Mel till two o 'clock this morning, she never drew breath, then

practically raped me.

Yeah, did you get anything?

Yeah. Suit full of cat ass.

All right, you ready for this?

Yeah. Duffield has power of attorney over both McQueedy's money and Fiona's

inheritance, right?

Right. So, Mel hacked into Fiona's trust account, and we found one

very large and very interesting player.

Yeah.

What? Hello, go on.

All right. Hold on to your hat.

15 grand to Avira Collingwood. Yes, I knew it.

The boss was trying to bribe her to change her statement.

Yeah, well, look, you're going to have to go really carefully on this one,

You must use this, because you're going to have to get Section 8 under pace,

otherwise it won't be admissible to everyone to call you.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, right. Anything else?

Yeah. We also hacked into McCready's account and went back to when records

began.

Right up until he was sent down, there was a large, regular pilot going out on

job in Florida.

Florida? Did you get a name?

Yeah.

Conley. Sheila Conley.

Know her? Yeah, I think I'm looking at her.

Thanks, Satch. Later.

Sheila!

Sheila, it's Mike.

Do you remember me?

Mike Walker.

I spoke to George just before he died.

What do you think you're doing?

I'm more interested in what you've been doing.

Nice suit.

Then you've been living a cushy life for years, haven't you?

I don't see that's any business of yours.

Don't you?

Poor George was always crazy about you.

In fact, didn't he spend 12 years behind bars for you?

Nobody forced him to do anything.

He did it for you.

You left him to rot when he got out of prison. Why come back now?

I wanted to say goodbye to my husband.

He certainly got here fast. Who told you he was dead?

George called me.

I don't believe you.

I've got details of monies paid to you by James MacReady. You've been bleeding

them dry for years.

I don't know what you're talking about. Oh, don't you? Come on, Sheila.

Why did MacReady continue to pay you money after Joyce was released?

What have you got of MacReady?

I need you to follow that cab.

Well, it depends how far, pal.

I've got weight in it, too.

Then there is the highly significant fingerprint on the blade of the knife.

You will notice that at photograph number 29.

The appellant's fingerprint on the murder weapon.

I prefer to call it the kitchen knife.

The print was in fact a thumb print, and the print is pointing up the blade.

consistent with him taking hold of the knife when Meadows profited in his

uninjured hand and placing it in the sink.

And you can tell all of this from one fingerprint, can you?

Yes. Yes, Lord, that is what we do say, yes.

Yes, Dr. Foster, the prosecution pathologist, confirmed it much at the

that a knife...

inserted into a body would, in effect, clean off whatever prints were on the

blade. The blade, as we can see from the photograph, doesn't appear into the

naked eye, at least to have any blood on it.

It was, in effect, wiped off as the blade was withdrawn from the wound.

I have a care not to injure yourself with your ruler, Mr. Rylands.

So,

in answer to my last point,

The print on the blade, yes, undoubtedly got there after the stabbing.

As a matter of comment, one would, in the normal course of events, pick up

a knife by its handle if the handle were available.

So there's clearly an inference that McCready's print got onto the blade when

Meadows profited to him after he had injured himself with it.

Was there any scientific evidence from the knife handle?

No.

My lady, only that the handle wasn't a receptive surface for fingerprinting

purposes.

Do go on, Mr. Rylands.

We submit that the fact of the appellant giving his account at the very outset

and of the Crown being unable to contradict that account in a highly

crime scene is absolutely significant.

Surely that's not right, Mr. Rylands.

The Crown's pathologist contradicted that account, did he not, in the

of his evidence, file 2, page 53, letter B.

Yes, my Lord, but he was himself flatly contradicted by two very eminent experts

at transcript pages 106, letters A to D, and pages

118, 119, respectively.

So, in summary, we have, firstly, the appellant's account given at the very

outset.

Secondly, the fact that every single piece of forensic evidence is consistent

with that account.

And thirdly, the curious circumstance that the Crown have not been able to

produce any timetable of what they say happened within that caravan. No

of events.

Well, I believe the Crown and certainly the appellant simply stabbed his friend

in the back.

They really need to go further than that.

Hmm?

Where did she go?

Straight up there, second floor to my right. Thanks.

Come back for something, Gina.

Forget how bad it was.

My kids are at college now.

Even got American accents.

Come a long way from here.

And you've come a long way to come back.

Everyone always underestimated George.

But he would have done anything for our kids.

I loved him so much.

I really believed George would come out to Florida to be with us.

When he got out.

Why didn't he?

He was on drugs in prison.

I got myself clean.

I never did.

Even when he was released.

McCready's been paying you money for years, Sheila. What have you got in him?

You blackmailing him.

A bit of yours.

McCready's scum. He still is.

The bastard even threatened my little girls.

George was murdered, Sheila.

Oh, it's much.

I didn't just come back for the funeral.

Jock told me about the appeal.

That bastard gets hurt, he'll come after me too.

Why?

Sure, yeah.

Look, it'll be here.

After all, it's been here.

What is it?

It's the knife Lacrida used on that young copper.

And me.

My Lords, there was evidence at the trial of the behaviour of Macready and

Meadows towards each other that evening.

The appellant has never at any time denied that he and his partner had been

drinking that night. They'd both, in his own words, had more than a skinful.

That night, they'd been with friends at Butterfly's.

Butterfly's?

Butterfly's? What?

It's a club, my Lord, in central Soho, famous for its...

transvestite cabaret acts.

I see.

Gary Meadows and James McCready were regular at the club and both were well

-liked. That evening had been particularly memorable as McCready had

the cabaret.

By all accounts, Meadows was in high spirits when he left Butterflies.

Witnesses of the club.

recall him saying that he was proud of his partners, of the

appellants'

impromptu cavalry act.

Both were eager to enjoy the rest of the evening, but knew that they must return

home to take care of Fiona, Meadow's seven -year -old daughter.

They did, however, call in at their local, the Frog and Ferret, which is

few minutes' walk from their home, just after closing time.

Bar licensing law in England closes private bars and pubs at 11 o 'clock.

The landlord at the Froggen Ferry did, in fact, obey the law, but continued to

serve drinks to a few regulars as his private guests in what I believe is

as a lock -out.

I think you'll find it's a lock -in, Mr Rylance.

Well... He recalls that the...

The appellant and the deceased were still in high school.

A while after, the appellant and Mr. Meadows left the pub.

Hello. Hi, Pat, it's me. Hi.

I've been waiting for your call. You switched your mobile off.

Yeah, I know. Listen, I'm on my way home.

But I need you to get a message to Pembroke for me.

Right. Can you go to the court, find him, tell him I've got even more

against McCready?

I've got the knife he murdered Colin Hood with.

Yeah? And my guess is McCready's prints are all over it.

But you won't be able to bring this up in the appeal. You do know that, don't

you? It'll have no bearing.

Yeah, but I tell you what will.

Duffield using Fiona Meadows' inheritance to pay off Vera Collingwood.

Yeah, I'm getting it.

But that doesn't explain why Fiona was so keen to come forward.

Well, you interviewed her. What do you think?

Well, she said she'd blocked everything out and then it suddenly came back to

her when Duffield approached her.

Yeah, well, there you go. Duffield's obviously the key.

Except why would Duffield risk everything to help MacReady?

Yeah, well, they're all pals. He's obviously making a stack of money for

troubles. I don't know.

Fiona did seem pretty convinced it was an accident.

Yeah, well, I wouldn't underestimate the power of suggestion.

That may be.

Hey. How soon can you go to the court?

I've still not changed, but pretty much straight away.

OK, I'll see you there.

Hey, I've missed you.

Missed you.

I'll see you soon. OK, bye.

Bye.

Can I now move to the third area which causes the Crown difficulties, namely

injuries suffered by the appellate? These were...

A cut to the right inner forearm and a deep cut to the left palm.

The Crown at trial were unable to provide any sensible explanation for

indeed were reduced to suggesting that they may have been deliberately self

-inflicted by the defendant.

The appellant gave the following account of his injuries.

That Meadows had...

armed himself with a kitchen knife. He was in a highly excitable state, and he

started waving it around.

The appellant sought to disarm him by going for the knife, and in doing so,

suffered a cut to the left palm.

An injury, by the way, which is known as a classic defence injury.

In the ensuing fracas, Mertes again caught the appellant on the arm, and all

this happened before the stabbing.

Had it occurred as the Crown contended after the stabbing, the knife would

presumably have worn some traces of the appellant's blood on it, and the Crown

couldn't find any evidence for this.

Surely your best point, Mr. Rylands, is that if your client had indeed inflicted

these wounds upon himself in order to make it look as if he'd come under

and defended himself, the very first thing that he would do would be to say

much. And to put it bluntly...

He would be shouting self -defence from the rooftops, which is precisely what he

did not do.

That's absolutely right, my lady.

Because far from proclaiming that he was acting in self -defence, he told the

police he didn't believe that Meadows intended to hurt him.

He went on to say he thought he was stupid for having tried to take hold of

knife.

Not very smart of him, was how he put it in the interview.

Hi, do you know if there's anyone at home? Flat 6, Pat North?

I'm a friend of hers and I've been trying to contact her. Don't you call

caretaker. Flat 2.

I can't let you in. Security. I'm a police officer.

Ring for the caretaker.

You see, what he did was to deny throughout that he'd ever had the knife

hand, thus depriving himself of any issue of self -defence, even of

and stating simply that this was an accident, and an accident he hadn't

seen.

Hence his failure to appreciate the depth of the wound, the severity of the

internal injuries, and consequently his failure,

deeply regretted, to call an ambulance.

So you would say that it was not just an accident, but a whole series of

accidents.

Precisely.

Seeing the time, I think that would be a convenient moment.

2 .15.

All rise.

Can you open the door? Pat!

Pat!

Thanks. How are you?

Fine.

I'd best grab a sandwich and see you in court.

You look very handsome.

I have wigs of daft to everyone else.

You make me nervous.

You've become unapproachable.

You're a lot more confident in court.

Very sexy.

The black suit waistcoat.

The crisp white shirt.

Oh, and I like the... the monogrammed gold cufflinks.

I just haven't told you.

You hold my life in your hands.

It must be a real power trip to have someone totally dependent on you.

I believe you're innocent.

Get me help.

Prove me that's the biggest you know I am.

You're angry for me for eight wasted years.

You'll be on the front page of every newspaper.

You'll become a hero.

Lots of people have campaigned for you, Jimmy. I'm with your high profile.

When you were blackmailed, forced into coming out, you proudly and publicly

acknowledged your sexuality.

I wrote about you.

I know all about you.

That's why I kept on writing to you.

I admire you.

You're not ashamed to be who you are.

I really ought to go.

Yeah.

I couldn't defend myself on my own trial.

I wasn't able to defend myself on the documentary.

I couldn't even defend myself here in the appeal court.

I'll never... I'll never defend myself over Gary.

Believe me, I'll use everything you didn't have to defend you in your trial.

It's imperative you try to stay calm.

All my life, I've been ashamed.

Can't you see why I admire you?

I need to know what I am.

Thank you for your honesty.

You go.

I'll get your night things. I've thought everything out, OK?

Thank you.

Can you just call Mike and tell him? Just tell him he's on his way. Don't

Now, you just rest now.

Everything's going to be fine. Shall I stay with you?

No. Just call Mike.

Don't worry, he's on his way. Everything's going to be fine.

OK,

we're going back.

Nice and easy.

Thank you.

Where's my baby, Viv?

She lost the baby.

Sorry, mate.

Are you all right? Did I get you anything?

No, no, no, thanks.

Thanks for everything, Viv. Thank you.

I just want to sit with her for a bit.

Let's get married, huh?

It's a bit late for you, making an honest woman out of me, isn't it? No,

it's never too late.

It's never too late. We can start, you know.

We can die again.

You're not too old.

Let's be back having a compliment.

But I don't mind.

I know if we can, we can. If we can't, that's fine too.

I just want you to know you're the most important thing in the world to me.

I love you.

Morning. Morning.

Morning. Just wondered if we still had a copy of that Rackham House documentary.

They should do it. It'll be on one of the shelves in Jane's office.

Great. Thanks, Barbara.

How's she doing?

Not good.

She lost the baby.

All right.

I'm sorry.

Yeah, look, have you got those bank statements?

Yeah.

You OK?

No, no, not really, but we've got to get these to Pembroke.

The sooner we get this over with, the sooner I get back to see Pat.

The bank accounts.

McCready's list to fill up a company.

Cornwall Communications, which he used to move money backwards and forwards.

Yes, yes.

Quite a paper chase.

Yeah, but what about the McCready incident in Glasgow?

The knife can still have his fingerprints on it. But with that and

Connolly's... Yes, yes, but what you must realise is that is a completely

separate case. Yeah, I know that.

but surely it gives us an insight into MacReady's character that he killed

before. We simply won't be able to get that in.

We're dealing with this conviction, not a previous murder.

OK.

Let's say you, er... Let's say you put me in the witness box, yeah? Ask me

the personal grievance MacReady's accused me of having, yeah?

Couldn't I slip it in then, that I now have proof that he committed another

murder in the past? No, no, no.

I'm sorry.

The only thing you could use, and this will have to be devoted to Ryland, is

that you have evidence to show that Duffield paid a sum of money to Vera.

Fiona Meadows' inheritance. Don't tell me that's not relevant in the bloody

case.

Here, and behold, a notice of additional evidence came winging down from on

high.

even after the 11th hour, and it was laden with fire and brimstone, and there

was wailing and gnashing of teeth amongst the defense team. What are you

about? A copy for you, and one for your admirable junior.

Bank statements, old boy.

In a nutshell, as the phrase goes, McCready has been transferring the odd

or two to a witness on a date remarkably adjacent to her new witness statement.

I suspect she may be in for a wee spot of bother, as they say in Glasgow.

Can I ask you about your present

circumstances, Mrs. Collingwood?

You currently reside on the same mobile home park as you did at the time of the

murder, but now have a new home.

That's right.

luxurious mobile home nine months ago, but I believe you were behind in rent on

your previous accommodation.

That is correct.

I always hated the place.

It had bad memories for me of poor Gary, and it was damp.

Can you please tell the court how you were able to financially secure your new

home? Well, that's none of your business.

You must know I had private savings.

Really?

Private savings?

Were you not on social security benefit and dependent on your pension till

recently?

Mrs. Collingwood, did you understand the question?

Yes.

Didn't someone else provide the money for you to upgrade to your rather smart

new home?

Do I have to answer that, my lord?

Yes, you do, Mrs. Collingwood. Let me make it clear.

Did Mr. James McCready, via his solicitor, Mr.

Duffield, financially assist you so that you could move from what you describe

as a damp caravan to a nice new modern one with every facility?

Well, he was always very kind to me, very supportive.

Just how supportive?

Mrs. Collingwood?

He helped me out.

He helped you out?

Just how much did he help you out, Mrs. Collingwood?

A few hundred pounds. There was nothing illegal about that.

A few hundred pounds? The new caravan?

Nothing illegal about that, can I?

Would you look at these bank statements, Mrs. Collingwood, could you?

Thank you.

Would you describe to the court what you're looking at? I don't think we need

the theatrics, Mr Pembroke.

Yes, my lord.

Are those copies of your bank statements, Mrs Collingwood?

Yes, but... Which clearly show a large sum of money going into your account six

months prior to Mr McCready's appeal.

I don't know.

Can you please tell the court for what reason?

That sum was paid to you.

I don't remember.

You don't remember.

Well, maybe I can help you out.

Was it in any way connected to you adding to your statement regarding the

on the night Gary Meadows died?

No, it was not.

You seem very sure about that, Mrs. Collingwood.

Yet you are still unsure why that money was paid to you. I wish to remind you,

Mrs. Collingwood, that you are...

Under. Oh.

Hey.

No luck?

Yeah, I found it eventually, thanks.

I just thought I'd drop these off.

They'd been put in the wrong sleep.

Mm -hmm.

Isn't this the one you were looking for?

Let me clarify exactly what Mr Pembroke is asking you, Mrs Collingwood.

All he's asking you is whether you were paid money to add to your original

statement.

No, I was not.

Yet you declined to tell the court what this substantial payment was for.

I've said it was a gift to help me out, and that's the truth of it.

You're trying to put words into my mouth.

Just like the words in your statement were put into your mouth by that

A payment made to you by a company called Cornwall Communications.

Do you know Mr. Benjamin Duffield, the owner of this company, and solicitor to

Mr. McCready? Mr. Pembroke, I think Mrs. Collingwood has made her position with

regards to this payment clear, and I think we must draw our own conclusions

As my lady pleases.

Walker.

Yeah?

What?

You're beauty.

Beautiful. Where?

Hey, thanks.

Peony Meadow?

Jimmy seemed to trip on the rug, and Dad fell backwards.

It all happened so quickly.

Daddy said he was all right and went back to bed.

Jimmy came over to me and kissed me, said not to worry.

He said we were all friends again.

Then he started looking for some bandages. I'm sorry, Fiona.

I don't quite understand.

Who exactly was looking for the bandages?

Jimmy.

Then I went back to bed.

And did you go to sleep directly?

No, sir. I stayed awake for a while, listening to my dad and Jimmy talking to

each other.

Then I went back to sleep.

You were no longer afraid.

No longer worried about your father.

No, sir, I wasn't. I thought he was all right.

You were very fond of your father, weren't you?

Yes.

So there'd be no reason for you to protect someone who'd hurt him?

No, sir.

Fiona, can you stay there a moment?

I expect there'll be one or two more questions for you to answer.

My lords, my lady, before embarking on my cross -examination of

Fiona, might I raise a matter, perhaps, in the absence of the witness?

Yes, of course, Mr. Pembroke.

Usher, would you accompany the witness out of the court and stay with him?

you.

I don't expect we shall keep you for very long.

Would you go with the usher?

My lords, I've just been handed a videotape which could prove to be vital

evidence in this case.

Fiona was seen by a child protection officer within a week of her father's

and gave her account, recorded on video in the usual way.

I'm told, although I've not yet seen the tape myself, that Fiona, aged seven,

gave a very different account to the one we have just heard in court.

from Fiona, age 15.

May I ask for a short adjournment so that I can see the video?

I expect my learned friend, Mr. Rylands, will want to see it as well.

I think we'll rise and give you, Mr. Pembroke, an opportunity to put your

in order.

Will you let us know via the usher how long you think you'll need? Yes.

Be upstanding.

What exactly do you plan to do with this video?

Well...

That rather depends what's on it, doesn't it?

Hi.

Hi.

The nurse said you would use breakfast and lunch.

Yeah, well, I'm not eating my breakfast at that. I'm godly high, and I'm

certainly not having my lunch at 11 .30.

So, apart from starving yourself, how are you feeling?

Oh, brilliant.

Just brilliant.

Anyway. How are you?

Come on, Pat.

I know what you're going through.

I've been there, remember, twice?

No, you can't blame yourself, believe me. Well, I can a bit, actually, because

Mike did warn me to take things easy.

Pat? Yeah.

Yeah, all right, all right, I know, I know.

Go for it.

Yeah, you will.

Just take time.

Wasn't your appendix you lost? No, no, I do know that.

But... You know, in a way it is right that I should feel a bit guilty because,

you know, if I hadn't been in...

You know, if I hadn't been...

I can't believe it's gone.

I can't believe it's gone.

I can't wait to see the look on MacReady's face when he sees this.

Join my club.

Yes, Mr Pembroke.

My lords, my lady, thank you for your time.

We both agreed that the video should now be played. Why wasn't this video

disclosed at trial?

The senior investigating officer was advised that Fiona was too young and too

vulnerable to be cross -examined, and as a consequence, she was not called.

That doesn't quite answer my question.

Whether used or not, the video was clearly disclosable.

My Lord, certainly.

Inquiries will be made.

Shall we get on, then?

We shall need the witness back in court.

Fiona, please be seated.

We're going to watch a video taken of you some years back.

Can you see the screen properly?

Good.

Thank you, Usher.

Could you do the honours?

I'm wearing trousers.

Is that true?

Yes, that's the truth. Well done.

Well, now we know what is the truth and what is a lie, I want you to tell me the

truth about what happened to your daddy last night.

So please tell me everything you remember and all the matters that don't

in our body right now because this is very important.

Thank you for joining and tell me what you saw last night.

Bastard all night.

Why don't you stop me?

Okay. My fault, eh? Shut up. You want to say something to me? Shut up. You

drunken bugger. Get out of here, you nosy bitch. You shouldn't be around here

like this.

Take the money.

You've had enough. Give me the gauntlet.

Hey, give it to me. Give it to me! Get off!

I've had enough of you watering me about! Enough!

So why don't you get out and leave us alone? And I mean it this time! I hate

poncing around those nightclubs, making me look like a dumb piece of shit!

You made me jealous. You ate it when I got all the attention.

No!

I hate it when you smother yourself in makeup and thrash around like a bleeding

arsehole. I want you out, so pack up and get out.

Make me.

Make me.

Come on, then.

Come on!

Why don't you try and kill me, eh?

Yes, you got away with murder once, but you won't again, will you? I should

never have told you that.

Give me the knife.

Gary. Gary. Come on.

Come on. Give me the knife!

Jesus Christ!

I'm sorry.

Fiona, go back to bed, honey. Go on. We're only playing, darling. Fiona, go

to bed!

Put her down!

Put her down! Put her down, Jimmy!

Fiona!

Oh, no,

not my baby, no. Get in there, you little bitch.

You'll be fine. Drink.

So, what now?

What do you mean, what now?

Your two witnesses have just been blown out of the water.

Both Fiona and Vera now face perjury charges. As for Duffield, he'll be

off.

Probably charged with perverting the cause of justice.

Can't blame me for trying. You dragged everyone down to your level.

You even had me fooled. Well, you know the saying, money talks. Oh, really?

Perhaps you should have paid Sheila Connolly more.

What?

She's handed over the knife you used to kill that young police officer.

Robert?

Robert, wait!

Robert!

I can go home at the weekend.

They have. That's wonderful.

So how did it go? It was brilliant.

Once the judges had seen the tape, that was it.

And with the advances in DNA technique, if McCready's prints are on that knife,

Forensic will find them.

He's looking at another life sentence for the murder of Colin Hood. He's not

going to be out for a long time.

It's pretty obvious why Vera changed her story, but I still don't get it. Fiona

seemed so genuine.

Yeah, I was watching her in court.

I think she was really shocked by that video.

And somehow Duffield managed to convince her the accident story was true.

Wouldn't have been too hard if she really had blocked out what happened.

Poor girl.

Yeah.

Hey, I got a tap on the shoulder, right? I'm coming out of court. I turn around

and it's the chief. He's standing there and he shakes my hand. He said, sorry

about the problems you've been having, dear boy. The PCA have completed their

investigation. And you're exonerated.

Suspension is lifted.

Yes. And then he tells me there's a whopper of a case he wants to put me in

charge of.

I'm back, Pat.

I'm back on top and ready to roll.

Brilliant.

Hey, Satch. How are you?

Here, this is for you. Oh, thanks. That's great, thanks. And this is for

Oh, that's my boy.

Hey, I'm going to open this now.

Oh, good.

Listen, Pat's getting home in the weekend. Well done. Well, I think they

the bed, actually, but I'm going to take things easy.

You've got another glass. Do you want one, Pat? No, I'm fine. Help yourself.

we can share one.

Hey, lovely.

Here's to you, sweetheart, and your recovery.

Thanks.

Oh, good luck.

Hey, watch out for that glass, Satch.