Original subtitles

The following programme contains strong language,

descriptions of real-life violence

and scenes that some viewers may find distressing.

and scenes that some viewers may find distressing.

(BANGING, CRUMBLING)

(BANGING, CRUMBLING)

NARRATOR: Within two weeks,

every last trace of number 25 Cromwell Street,

every last trace of number 25 Cromwell Street,

will have been removed.

The house where Fred West tortured, and then murdered nine victims

is being taken away, piece by piece.

is being taken away, piece by piece.

(SLOW, UNSETTLING MUSIC)

The authorities didn't know

that he also murdered his first wife, Catherine.

that he also murdered his first wife, Catherine.

A former nanny, Anne McFall, had also been killed.

Police found both their bodies

in fields near West's boyhood home, in the village of Much Markle.

in fields near West's boyhood home, in the village of Much Markle.

The next location to be searched is likely to be 25 Midland Road

The next location to be searched is likely to be 25 Midland Road

another of Fredric West's former homes.

(TAPE RECORDER BEEPS)

(PERTURBING CHORAL MUSIC)

25 Midland Road in Gloucester,

where police will begin their search for more bodies later this week.

where police will begin their search for more bodies later this week.

This is the fourth site identified by detectives,

during the two month Cromwell Street mass murder inquiry.

during the two month Cromwell Street mass murder inquiry.

Frederick West lived at 25 Midland Road in the early 1970s.

Police won't confirm that they're now looking for clues

Police won't confirm that they're now looking for clues

to the disappearance of his eight-year-old daughter, Charmaine,

20 years ago.

We're still seeking Charmaine.

We've done that from the outset of the inquiry.

We've done that from the outset of the inquiry.

And, if anyone has any information relative to Charmaine,

we'd like to hear from them.

I was part of the team

that was responsible for excavating 25 Midland Road.

The information was slowly dripping out from Fred

The information was slowly dripping out from Fred

that there was other bodies, outside of 25 Cromwell Street.

The police, by which time, had established

The police, by which time, had established

that he previously lived at 25 Midland Road.

Charmaine was last seen there in 1971.

She was the daughter of Rena, but was not the daughter of Fred.

A team of police officers

A team of police officers

started digging and sifting through soil,

at the rear of 25 Midland Road in Gloucester this afternoon,

and they put up a canopy

and they put up a canopy

to prepare for a deeper excavation of the garden.

The police used a ground radar

The police used a ground radar

to locate possible areas which had cavities in,

which would indicate that a body may be there.

I did honestly believe that we wouldn't find anything.

I did honestly believe that we wouldn't find anything.

(INTERFERENCE CRACKLES)

(INTERFERENCE CRACKLES)

(FOREBODING MUSIC)

We're in Coatbridge now, this is Hospital Street.

We're in Coatbridge now, this is Hospital Street.

These houses, the bulk of them,

are there from before the war.

are there from before the war.

So, they haven't changed, that whole side is still the same.

This is where Rena and Fred West had the first of their married life.

This is where Rena and Fred West had the first of their married life.

So, little Charmaine was born in Coatbridge.

One day I was at high school, and I was getting on a bus.

This lady and her baby got on, with a little pushchair.

This lady and her baby got on, with a little pushchair.

I thought, wait a minute, I know you,

and I just couldn't think who it was for a second.

But, when I had a really good, quick look at her, I thought...

But, when I had a really good, quick look at her, I thought...

it's Rena.

The wee baby had a beautiful little heart-shaped face,

The wee baby had a beautiful little heart-shaped face,

quite like her mum, I think, really,

because Rena was very sweet faced, little kind of heart-shaped chin.

And, the baby was probably about five or six months.

So, the baby was able to sit on-on Rena's knee.

And, you know, a lot of people on the bus, were cooing and "Aaah!"

And, you know, a lot of people on the bus, were cooing and "Aaah!"

You know, "Isn't she lovely?"

The little one, had on this little pink fluffy hat,

The little one, had on this little pink fluffy hat,

which somebody had clearly crocheted or knitted.

It had little, little pink loops all round, and tied under the chin.

It had little, little pink loops all round, and tied under the chin.

Beautifully turned out.

When we got off the bus, we got off at the same place,

and Rena was actually taking her baby to the clinic to be weighed.

and Rena was actually taking her baby to the clinic to be weighed.

So, she was a good mum.

So, she was a good mum.

The father of Charmaine was an Asian bus driver

that she'd been working with,

that she'd been working with,

so Charmaine was a mixed race child.

The way Rena and Fred got round the issue

The way Rena and Fred got round the issue

of people questioning Charmain's ethnicity,

was that...

it was claimed Rena had had a miscarriage,

it was claimed Rena had had a miscarriage,

and had been so upset, that in fact...

they had adopted a child and Charmaine was that child.

they had adopted a child and Charmaine was that child.

It was a story, it was concocted to get around the issue of stigma.

It was a story, it was concocted to get around the issue of stigma.

What I heard was, she was calling the baby after her mum,

What I heard was, she was calling the baby after her mum,

her mum was Mary.

And she made the decision the baby would be christened

And she made the decision the baby would be christened

in St Mary's just down there.

(SHRILL, FOREBODING MUSIC)

(SHRILL, FOREBODING MUSIC)

After Anne had died, Fred lived on a caravan site

with Charmaine and her little sister.

with Charmaine and her little sister.

Rena goes back and forward in the girls' lives.

And it looked like she was again trying to find a home for the girls.

'What do you think Rena thought had happened to Anne,

'do you think she knew Fred killed her?'

I don't feel that Rena knew about that,

but she would have wondered where Anne was,

but she would have wondered where Anne was,

and perhaps she had started a new life with somebody else,

but not Fred, that she'd escaped,

but not Fred, that she'd escaped,

or she just didn't care, because she betrayed her.

She was gone, and that was enough.

Rena would have to move back in to the caravan,

to even be with the girls,

and then she'd have to go again, because he would be too violent.

and then she'd have to go again, because he would be too violent.

The children would go into care at different points when Rena went,

because he couldn't care for them while he was working.

because he couldn't care for them while he was working.

Rena said to social workers

that she was going to start a new life with the children,

that she was going to start a new life with the children,

but sadly that wasn't to happen.

Charmaine and her sister were well known to social services,

Charmaine and her sister were well known to social services,

and there was a period in which the children went in and out of care.

and there was a period in which the children went in and out of care.

That was because of the conditions of the children.

They were always described as being filthy, dirty, grubby,

and a general case of neglect for-for both children.

and a general case of neglect for-for both children.

The children were showing signs of abuse already,

because they were wetting the bed, particularly Charmaine.

because they were wetting the bed, particularly Charmaine.

Fred made every day of the children's lives miserable,

Fred made every day of the children's lives miserable,

and yet still the children remained with him.

Then, in the summer of 69, Fred met Rose.

Then, in the summer of 69, Fred met Rose.

(INTERFERENCE CRACKLES)

Since the arrest of husband Fredrick,

Rosemary West has kept a low profile,

Rosemary West has kept a low profile,

living at a secret address provided by the police.

This is a rare glimpse of her,

photographed out shopping in Dursley.

photographed out shopping in Dursley.

She was arrested two months ago

in connection with the mass murder inquiry,

but released on bail without charge.

Rosemary is the 52-year-old builder's second wife.

Rosemary is the 52-year-old builder's second wife.

She was devastated, quite clearly distressed.

She was devastated, quite clearly distressed.

REPORTER: She denies she knew anything about the bodies.

Is that correct? Yes, she does.

What does she say about knowledge of the killings at all?

What does she say about knowledge of the killings at all?

She totally denies that? Yes, she does.

(UNSETTLING MUSIC)

(TRAFFIC NOISE)

In the early January of 1968,

In the early January of 1968,

Fred West was cruising around in his work's van,

looking for young girls walking on the street.

There had been numerous reports, and complaints from girls

who have been pestered.

There's also evidence that there were young girls

There's also evidence that there were young girls

from Bishop's Cleeve Comprehensive, seen around Fred West's caravan.

Rose would have come on to Fred's radar in Bishop's Cleeve,

and at that time, Rose had only turned 15.

and at that time, Rose had only turned 15.

Fred was 27.

This point in time, at this place,

Fred West is courting Rosemary Letts,

Fred West is courting Rosemary Letts,

a young girl, who lives about 100 yards away.

Fred West was now living with his two young daughters

Fred West was now living with his two young daughters

about a mile away at Stoke Orchard, at Lakeside Caravan Park,

about a mile away at Stoke Orchard, at Lakeside Caravan Park,

where he was residing some of the time with Rena,

who was coming and going.

And, this was within a short time of the death of Anne.

And, this was within a short time of the death of Anne.

The way he could juggle this

The way he could juggle this

without apparently being in the slightest bit disturbed,

points to his lack of empathy.

REPORTER:Do you think Fred groomed Rose, as well?

I think Fred did groom Rose. Yes, Rose was vulnerable.

I think Fred did groom Rose. Yes, Rose was vulnerable.

She was a rather timid child, by all accounts.

You'd have to say that all children are vulnerable,

You'd have to say that all children are vulnerable,

if they're in a house where abuse is somehow normalised.

Rose was born to a mother suffering seriously

with mental health conditions.

When Rose's mother, Daisy, was pregnant with Rose,

she was undergoing a course of electrical shock therapy.

she was undergoing a course of electrical shock therapy.

Her father, being in the Navy during the war,

from all accounts,

from all accounts,

was an absolute tyrant and brute, to his family.

Rose's eldest siblings suffered many beatings,

and were very keen to leave the home as soon as they could.

Strangely, within this abuse,

Strangely, within this abuse,

Rose's father treated her differently,

and, there is every indication

and, there is every indication

that he was grooming her sexually, and abusing her.

She survived by being compliant with her father.

She survived by being compliant with her father.

That was the kind of basis of the relationship with Fred.

That was the kind of basis of the relationship with Fred.

(SLOW, GENTLE MUSIC)

(SLOW, GENTLE MUSIC)

Rose very much fitted the template that Fred went for,

which was young and vulnerable.

which was young and vulnerable.

That girl had had a very, very sad life,

like so many of Fred West's victims.

like so many of Fred West's victims.

She was just looking for somebody to care for her.

Somebody to look out for her.

She was another girl who wanted a home, with a family.

She was another girl who wanted a home, with a family.

Fred and Rose's relationship developed quite quickly.

And she came and met the children, which he used as a lure.

And she came and met the children, which he used as a lure.

And he was treating Rose like she was a child as well,

which basically, she was.

which basically, she was.

And she wore those white schoolgirl socks,

and with that babyish voice.

and with that babyish voice.

She was like that all her life.

Rose moved into the caravan with Fred in 1969.

Rose moved into the caravan with Fred in 1969.

Rose and Charmaine were only ten years apart.

Rose was jealous of Charmaine,

Rose was jealous of Charmaine,

because Charmaine was brighter than Rose, if you like.

She was a lovely little girl, with dark hair, big eyes.

She was a lovely little girl, with dark hair, big eyes.

A lovely spirited child like her mother.

Charmaine was told to call Rose "Mum",

and she absolutely refused to.

She knew who her mother was, and she wasn't going to do it.

She knew who her mother was, and she wasn't going to do it.

She would say, "Well, you're not my mum.

"You can't tell me off."

She would, she would say those things to her.

She would, she would say those things to her.

And she said,

"One day, Mummy is going to come in and collect us."

You know. "She's going to come for us."

Sadly, that day never came.

(FOREBODING MUSIC)

REPORTER: At 25 Midland Road digging is continuing.

REPORTER: At 25 Midland Road digging is continuing.

Police will not comment on the possibility that they are looking

for the remains of Mr West's daughter Charmaine,

who disappeared 20 years ago when she was eight.

who disappeared 20 years ago when she was eight.

After a year of living together, at the caravan,

After a year of living together, at the caravan,

Fred and Rose and the small family moved into 25 Midland Road.

Rose gave birth to Heather,

Rose gave birth to Heather,

and she still had the two small girls

to look after as well.

She was only 16 herself.

She was only 16 herself.

And I think, it just, it was too much for Rose.

There were lots of reports that Charmaine was acting up,

when in fact, she just being a normal child.

when in fact, she just being a normal child.

I think Fred was very keen for Rose to discipline Charmaine...

...which she happily took to.

He was encouraging her to rip up old sheets,

to tie the girls up with, to discipline them very heavily.

to tie the girls up with, to discipline them very heavily.

I think she had learnt from her father.

I think she had learnt from her father.

He had a vile temper. She just emulated him.

She didn't have the insight or wherewithal to actually think,

She didn't have the insight or wherewithal to actually think,

it's not right.

Fred went back to his old ways of petty theft.

Fred went back to his old ways of petty theft.

He'd stolen a car tax disc this time.

And so Fred was in prison,

And so Fred was in prison,

and Rose was left on her own with no money.

Electric going on and off in the middle of winter,

Electric going on and off in the middle of winter,

with a new baby, and two small children.

It says everything about the times, really,

It says everything about the times, really,

that Fred was in prison for stealing tax discs and tyres,

and yet he was known to have molested young girls,

and yet he was known to have molested young girls,

and nothing came of that, there was no record for that.

He wasn't even watched.

In 1970, Charmaine started St John School in Gloucester,

In 1970, Charmaine started St John School in Gloucester,

and she would have been there, maybe for an academic year,

before she went missing.

before she went missing.

In March 1971,

the records show that Charmaine attended Gloucester Royal Hospital

with a puncture wound to her left ankle,

with a puncture wound to her left ankle,

and that was described as a home accident.

Charmaine was eight when we had our last sighting of her,

Charmaine was eight when we had our last sighting of her,

which would have been in 1971 round about April.

The police had statements from a neighbour

The police had statements from a neighbour

who saw Rose in the kitchen with Charmaine.

Charmaine was stood on a chair with her hands tied behind her back.

Charmaine was stood on a chair with her hands tied behind her back.

And Rose was close by, with a large spoon.

The inference being that Rose was punishing Charmaine.

The inference being that Rose was punishing Charmaine.

And the punishment was quite severe.

Rose is recorded as telling neighbours

Rena had come down and collected Charmaine.

And taken her back to Scotland.

Police have discovered the body of a young girl

Police have discovered the body of a young girl

at a former home of the builder, Frederick West.

The remains were found under a concrete floor,

at the house in Midland Road, in Gloucester,

at the house in Midland Road, in Gloucester,

by officers using specialist digging equipment.

'Police have been searching in the garden and ground floor

'of 25 Midland Road for ten days.

'of 25 Midland Road for ten days.

'This morning they announced they had dug six feet

'underneath a kitchen extension and made another discovery.

'The remains of a young girl.'

'The remains of a young girl.'

(CAMERA FLASHES CLICKING)

(EERIE, SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

(EERIE, SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

The body of Charmaine was found wrapped in a cloth, as I recall.

The body of Charmaine was found wrapped in a cloth, as I recall.

It was not dismembered, it was intact,

which was unexpected...

which was unexpected...

because Fred would often dismember the bodies

to enable them to be buried.

(LIGHT TRAFFIC NOISE)

I spent a while thinking that the little baby

that I'd seen on the Baxter's bus with Rena,

that I'd seen on the Baxter's bus with Rena,

was OK, that she was safe,

because she'd said the baby was being called after her mum, Mary.

because she'd said the baby was being called after her mum, Mary.

So, part of me thought,

thank goodness it's not that wee baby, but later on, the...

thank goodness it's not that wee baby, but later on, the...

it was put in the papers that her name was Charmaine,

and then Mary was in the middle, one of her middle names,

so it was the same baby.

so it was the same baby.

And there...

...there's that little baby.

That little baby that I saw on Rena's lap.

That little baby that I saw on Rena's lap.

Charmaine had her mum's smile when I look at that.

She did.

She inherited the smile.

She inherited the smile.

'And, what about Rena, what happened to her?'

Rena kept turning up at Midland Road,

looking for Charmaine.

looking for Charmaine.

Fred developed this cover story,

that Rena had taken Charmaine with her.

that Rena had taken Charmaine with her.

But with Rena turning up,

that was going to signal the end for Rena.

After Fred was out of prison, she disappeared quite quickly.

He couldn't afford for her to go to the police,

and then it would be revealed

what he'd done to Anne McFall and Charmaine.

what he'd done to Anne McFall and Charmaine.

So, it was in his interests, to shut Rena up, basically.

So, it was in his interests, to shut Rena up, basically.

(DARK, INTENSE TONE)

(DARK, INTENSE TONE)

Gloucester builder, Fred West, has appeared in court,

Gloucester builder, Fred West, has appeared in court,

charged with the murder of his daughter Charmaine.

The remains of her body were found under the kitchen floor

of West's former home, at 25 Midland Road,

of West's former home, at 25 Midland Road,

about a month ago.

West made a brief appearance in court today,

to hear the 12th charge read out against him.

to hear the 12th charge read out against him.

In an outburst in court, he said, "I did it. No one else."

The first time I met Rose,

The first time I met Rose,

I was called to Cheltenham Police Station,

lunchtime of February '94.

It transpired that she had been arrested along with her husband,

who was Fred West.

I was acting as her defence solicitor,

I was acting as her defence solicitor,

and she was denying vehemently that this had happened.

Rosemary West has been jointly charged with her husband

of nine murders.

of nine murders.

Frederick West with an extra three including Charmaine's.

When I saw Rose, after she was first arrested,

When I saw Rose, after she was first arrested,

she was very withdrawn, she was weeping,

it was though her world had collapsed,

and she was cursing Fred West, asking me what Fred West had done.

and she was cursing Fred West, asking me what Fred West had done.

She-she was very distraught.

(NEWS REPORT THEME MUSIC)

(NEWS REPORT THEME MUSIC)

Good evening.

Frederick West,

the Gloucester builder whose home concealed nine corpses,

the Gloucester builder whose home concealed nine corpses,

has been found dead,

hanging in his prison cell at Winson Green Jail in Birmingham.

He'd been in custody for nearly a year,

accused of a total of 12 murders,

and committal proceedings were due to start next month.

His wife who was charged with nine murders,

was told of his death this afternoon.

was told of his death this afternoon.

It was me, who had to tell Rose that Fred had committed suicide.

It was me, who had to tell Rose that Fred had committed suicide.

Her reaction was strange. It was mixed.

Can't quite work it out.

I think there was... a sense of shock,

I think there was... a sense of shock,

a slight smile on her face,

and then slightly tearful.

Inevitably, questions are being asked

Inevitably, questions are being asked

about how the death of such a high-profile prisoner could occur.

West, who is said to have been unpopular with other inmates,

West, who is said to have been unpopular with other inmates,

wasn't segregated.

But the prison service says he did receive regular checks.

It came as a shock, because he was on suicide watch.

It came as a shock, because he was on suicide watch.

And also, because of the ease in which he was able to do this,

And also, because of the ease in which he was able to do this,

using his bed sheets, tied around the bars of a window.

I know it deeply upset the team.

I know it deeply angered many the team...

I know it deeply angered many the team...

because we felt that...

...the victims would not get justice.

...the victims would not get justice.

They would not get their time in court.

Since Frederick West's death, Mrs West's solicitor, Leo Goatley,

Since Frederick West's death, Mrs West's solicitor, Leo Goatley,

has been calling for the charges against his client to be dropped.

I think it's the crown that need to review their case,

and decide where they want to take it from here.

and decide where they want to take it from here.

I would hope, that they... they will drop the case.

Fred accepted guilt. Sole guilt for the murders,

Fred accepted guilt. Sole guilt for the murders,

and saying that Rose wasn't responsible.

The prosecution first prepared a case

The prosecution first prepared a case

based on the fact that Fred killed Charmaine.

When, Fred committed suicide,

When, Fred committed suicide,

instead of dropping that count of the indictment,

they changed their mind, and proffered... a new story line.

they changed their mind, and proffered... a new story line.

This morning,

This morning,

Rosemary West was charged with the murder of Charmaine West.

Rosemary West last appeared in court in Gloucester on Tuesday

Rosemary West last appeared in court in Gloucester on Tuesday

when she faced nine murder charges.

Today, she was accused of a tenth.

I think they're just, uh...

I think they're just, uh...

...throwing it in as an extra,

an additional piece of wishful thinking.

I interviewed Rose in relation to the death of Charmaine.

Charmaine was last seen in circumstances

which would suggest that she was being looked after by Rose.

which would suggest that she was being looked after by Rose.

She responded in a certain way. There was no animosity.

She responded in a certain way. There was no animosity.

There was no aggression. There was no violence.

It was as if you were talking to a mannequin.

It was as if you were talking to a mannequin.

She'd been advised by her solicitor, Leo Goatley,

not to answer any questions.

And, that's what she did.

(TENSE, PULSING MUSIC)

The Rose West trial has become the hottest show in town.

Today, they were queuing at dawn

Today, they were queuing at dawn

for the 40 seats in the public gallery.

TV REPORTS:The prosecution opened its case against Mrs West,

saying the jury could be sure she was involved in Charmaine's death.

saying the jury could be sure she was involved in Charmaine's death.

The alleged killer arrived at court

to hear claims she chose her step daughter Charmaine

to hear claims she chose her step daughter Charmaine

as the first to die,

while her husband Fred was in prison.

"I had no part in murder," she sobbed.

"I'm not a murderer. I would not take somebody's life.

"I'm not a murderer. I would not take somebody's life.

"I'm in the spotlight," said Rose. "Fred West is dead,

"and I have to take responsibility for what he'd done."

"and I have to take responsibility for what he'd done."

The thing about any trial is,

that the prosecution tell their story,

the defence tell their story,

the defence tell their story,

so there is a certain amount of myth making,

but the best story is...

is likely to be believed by the jury.

And, often it will be the truth.

And, often it will be the truth.

The Rosemary West mass murder trial,

has heard that the alleged killer

has heard that the alleged killer

believed her step daughter Charmaine liked to be handled rough.

She made the claim about Charmaine in a letter to her husband,

She made the claim about Charmaine in a letter to her husband,

written in 1971.

The letter was read aloud in court today.

'To my darling.

'To my darling.

'About Char... I think she likes to be handled rough.

'But, darling, why do I have to be the one to do it?

'I would keep her for her own sake,

'I would keep her for her own sake,

'if it wasn't for the rest of the children.

'Well, love, keep happy. Longing for the 18th.

'Well, love, keep happy. Longing for the 18th.

'Your ever worshipping wife, Rose.'

The prosecution alleged

that Charmaine never left 25 Midland road in Gloucester.

A leading forensic dental expert compared the skull, bones and teeth

A leading forensic dental expert compared the skull, bones and teeth

with photographs,

and expressed a strong opinion the skull was Charmaine's.

Some excellent dental work was carried out,

Some excellent dental work was carried out,

which clearly identified Charmaine as the victim.

From the timelines that we were able to produce,

we found that Fred was likely to be in prison

we found that Fred was likely to be in prison

at the time that Charmaine was killed.

So, that really firmly focussed the spotlight

So, that really firmly focussed the spotlight

on actually Rose as being the perpetrator.

Along with the evidence which neighbours supplied,

Along with the evidence which neighbours supplied,

which was, they last saw Charmaine, crying, stood on a chair,

which was, they last saw Charmaine, crying, stood on a chair,

tied with her hands behind her back, in the process of assaulting her.

With Fred in prison,

With Fred in prison,

then you could understand the circumstances

in which Charmaine was actually killed.

Prosecutor, Brian Leveson said,

Prosecutor, Brian Leveson said,

"You tied her arms, pushed her around,

"and you killed her.

"You kept her body for Fred to bury.

"And from that moment on, you were tied together."

"And from that moment on, you were tied together."

In the court proceedings, you had overwhelming evidence

In the court proceedings, you had overwhelming evidence

to show what happened to the victims in Cromwell Street.

Fred and Rose not only abducted them,

but then imprisoned them, sexually abused them,

and then murdered them.

and then murdered them.

Rose's defence was, "I didn't realise it was happening."

That was... a really difficult concept

That was... a really difficult concept

to convince the jury

that she really didn't know what was happening.

And I think what was useful for the jury to see,

was when they were taken to 25 Cromwell Street,

to actually see how small the place was.

to actually see how small the place was.

(CHANGING PICTURES CLICK)

Brian Leveson QC for the Crown,

outlined the ten murder charges against her.

Several times, as she heard the evidence,

Several times, as she heard the evidence,

Mrs West was in tears,

and wiped her face with a handkerchief.

Referring to the fate of the women, Mr Leveson said,

"Those whom the West's believed would not complain, lived,

"those whom they believed posed a threat,

"either because of their injuries,

"or because they might go to the police, did not.

"or because they might go to the police, did not.

"For them," he said, "the option was death."

He continued, "Either you're blind, extremely naive,

"totally trusting of your husband or you're lying."

"totally trusting of your husband or you're lying."

Mrs West replied,

"I don't know anything about it, I was not aware of this."

The fact is, they had both independently murdered,

so there was a bond,

there was a trust that was between them.

Rose would entice women into the car,

because here we have a man and a woman,

and at that time,

women were always seen as maternal, and safe.

Why wouldn't you accept a lift from a... a young couple?

Why wouldn't you accept a lift from a... a young couple?

I was actually 21 when it, when it happened.

I was actually 21 when it, when it happened.

And, I remember on this one day, I think it was late spring,

it would have been 1973.

it would have been 1973.

I woke up, and I thought, I'm just going to go somewhere.

I don't know where I'm gonna go, but I'm gonna go somewhere.

So, I put up my thumb, and I just started hitching.

So, I put up my thumb, and I just started hitching.

And some time towards the end of the day,

I found myself in Gloucester.

I found myself in Gloucester.

A little grey car came shooting past me,

and then it backed up, at the same sort of speed,

and then it backed up, at the same sort of speed,

to where I was standing.

The side window went down,

and a very ordinary looking woman with glasses,

and a very ordinary looking woman with glasses,

looked out the window and said,

"You look cold. Would you like to come with us?

"Come with us, and we'll just give you a nice cup of tea."

"Come with us, and we'll just give you a nice cup of tea."

And she had this high West Country accent.

I couldn't see the driver.

I could only see his arm, and his hands on the wheel...

I could only see his arm, and his hands on the wheel...

And he was making no effort to... to communicate with me.

"Look," she said, "I'm a pregnant woman."

And she pointed down at her belly, she said,

"I'm a pregnant woman. How can a pregnant woman hurt you?"

"I'm a pregnant woman. How can a pregnant woman hurt you?"

And I remember thinking, why would you say that,

if you had no intention of hurting somebody?

So, I went, "No, I'm alright, I'm alright, thank you.

So, I went, "No, I'm alright, I'm alright, thank you.

"I'm alright."

And then she said, "Oh, come on, just-just a cup of tea."

And I went, "Oh..."

And I sounded as though I was going to change my mind.

And I sounded as though I was going to change my mind.

And at that point, he dipped down, and looked at me,

and I saw his eyes.

And it was the most chilling thing I've ever seen in my life.

And it was the most chilling thing I've ever seen in my life.

It was visceral.

My body reacted before I did.

My body reacted before I did.

I just found myself, like, 20 feet back from the car,

right up against the hedge going, "No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

"No, I'm fine, thank you. No."

"No, I'm fine, thank you. No."

At that point, she realised that I wasn't going to get in the car,

and she swore at me.

and she swore at me.

I'll tell you exactly what she said.

She said, "Fuck you, then, you little bitch."

And then she turned to him and said, "I've told you not to look at them."

And then she turned to him and said, "I've told you not to look at them."

And they drove off.

And I was left completely, completely trembling,

and thinking, What the hell just happened?

and thinking, What the hell just happened?

'And who do you think they were?'

I think they were... Fred and Rosemary West.

I think they were... Fred and Rosemary West.

I am absolutely certain they were.

For years afterwards, I would tell this story,

For years afterwards, I would tell this story,

as the scariest hitchhiking story.

The scariest thing that ever happened to me.

But when the story came out in 1994,

But when the story came out in 1994,

I saw pictures, of particularly Rose West as a young woman...

...and, it just went bang in my head, and went,

...and, it just went bang in my head, and went,

"Oh, my God, Gloucester.

"That's her."

"That's her."

And then, I found out she was pregnant at that time.

And it all just fell into place.

My view is that she was really into this,

My view is that she was really into this,

she really enjoyed it,

there was nothing innocent in her engagement in this.

But yet, the dynamic between them was,

But yet, the dynamic between them was,

she got the victim, and he waited and let her do that,

because that's what she was good at.

(DARK, INTENSE TONE)

(DARK, INTENSE TONE)

(CHURCH BELL TOLLS)

Good afternoon, on the third day of deliberations,

the jury in Winchester

has found Rosemary West guilty on all counts.

has found Rosemary West guilty on all counts.

Taken through the ten counts, and in response to the first one,

the charge that Mrs West had murdered

the charge that Mrs West had murdered

her step daughter Charmaine,

he replied, "Yes, guilty."

Judge Mr Justice Mantell asked her to stand up and he said to her,

Judge Mr Justice Mantell asked her to stand up and he said to her,

"On each of the ten counts of murder,

"the sentence is one of life imprisonment.

Mr Justice Mantell told her,

"If attention is paid to what I think,

"If attention is paid to what I think,

"you will never be released, take her down."

My client is totally devastated... (CAMERA FLASHES CLICK)

My client is totally devastated... (CAMERA FLASHES CLICK)

...she wept uncontrollably after hearing the verdict of the jury.

She continues to maintain her innocence,

She continues to maintain her innocence,

and we are actively pursuing an appeal on her behalf. Thank you.

Mr Goatley, what did you say to Mrs West yourself,

when you saw her immediately after the verdict?

when you saw her immediately after the verdict?

No further questions. Thank you.

It's my belief now, that Rose did kill Charmaine,

It's my belief now, that Rose did kill Charmaine,

and she was properly convicted,

and at the end of the day, she was found guilty,

and that was probably the right verdict...

well, it was the right verdict, so, justice was done.

well, it was the right verdict, so, justice was done.

'What had happened to Charmaine?'

'What had happened to Charmaine?'

I think from day one, it was a very bad relationship.

Charmaine was a bright little girl

Charmaine was a bright little girl

when she came under the care of Rose West.

She didn't let Rose defeat her.

She would resist the... the discipline.

But she lost it, as she demonstrated,

But she lost it, as she demonstrated,

she had a vile temper.

'Did you ever see Rose have a temper?'

I've seen her on the scale,

I've seen her on the scale,

I haven't seen her when she's off the scale.

She will, kind of, spit and salivate if she gets flustered,

She will, kind of, spit and salivate if she gets flustered,

and she will sort of screech in a breathless way,

and her eyes will roll.

The little girl wasn't prepared to...

The little girl wasn't prepared to...

...lie down and take the blows.

Rose hid her in a coal shed at Midland Road,

Rose hid her in a coal shed at Midland Road,

and then Fred West would have tidied up things a few weeks later,

and then Fred West would have tidied up things a few weeks later,

when he came out of prison.

That was the thing that cemented them together

for the rest of...

their dreadful serial killing career.

their dreadful serial killing career.

When the case first broke, I think people couldn't believe

When the case first broke, I think people couldn't believe

that Rose had anything to do with it.

Usually, with a serial kill... or a killing couple,

it's going to be the woman's coerced.

it's going to be the woman's coerced.

And when you looked at Rose, this middle aged,

kind of, quite dumpy housewife figure,

I think people wouldn't believe it.

I think people wouldn't believe it.

But, when she started to speak in the court room,

I think that changed.

I think that changed.

I don't think Rose would have killed without Fred.

But, once having been introduced to this,

But, once having been introduced to this,

she happily went along with it.

They were in it together.

I think that, certainly to a large extent,

Rose realised that

if she didn't go along with Fred's weird fantasies,

if she didn't go along with Fred's weird fantasies,

then she would be the victim.

You've got to ask the question, why?

Why didn't he kill Rose the way he killed Rena,

Why didn't he kill Rose the way he killed Rena,

or any of his other victims?

And so, you've got these...

fantasies played out by Fred of sadomasochism,

fantasies played out by Fred of sadomasochism,

and you've got this partner, this young woman,

whose survival instinct kicks in,

whose survival instinct kicks in,

and-and her violence and temper is-is just through the roof.

Really toxic kind of permutation, really.

Really toxic kind of permutation, really.

The case did affect me personally.

The case did affect me personally.

I probably didn't notice it, but my family did,

my wife thought I was very difficult at the time.

my wife thought I was very difficult at the time.

And, so did some of my kids.

Processing the details,

Processing the details,

and remaining dispassionate and professional,

was-was quite a task.

Rose is still alive. I haven't seen her for many years.

I, I did write to her, actually, but got no response to the letter.

I, I did write to her, actually, but got no response to the letter.

I said that the jury were right in their verdict.

She probably didn't like me saying that.

She probably didn't like me saying that.

You know, I do wish that Rose West would somehow...

...give some explanation,

...give some explanation,

but she's just not willing to do that.

(SLOW, DARK MUSIC)

Charmaine West was the little girl Fred West didn't father,

Charmaine West was the little girl Fred West didn't father,

and Rosemary couldn't stand.

The woman's dislike of her stepdaughter was historical.

The woman's dislike of her stepdaughter was historical.

Charmaine, within a very short life, had Rena as a mother,

Annie McFall as a mother...

and lastly had Rose as a mother.

and lastly had Rose as a mother.

Charmaine was a child who had no stability, no support.

Charmaine was a child who had no stability, no support.

She was in a position where...

her life was one of survival.

her life was one of survival.

She had to survive from one day to another.

I can't imagine how difficult life would have been.

I can't imagine how difficult life would have been.

I didn't put it together at first. That that was Catherine's daughter.

I didn't put it together at first. That that was Catherine's daughter.

It was only later, you know, that I realised,

It was only later, you know, that I realised,

Oh, my God.

Really, it annoys me,

that for somebody to accept maybe Fred's word,

that for somebody to accept maybe Fred's word,

that, "Oh, where's your missus?" "Ah, she's gone back to Scotland."

But what about Charmaine? Would she leave her little girl?

But what about Charmaine? Would she leave her little girl?

Why didn't they question that?

Where she was, what she was doing, it's... nobody was bothered.

'So, who are those people, Jane?' (SIGHS)

I'm going to cry now, I'm sorry. That's the last bit...

I'm going to cry now, I'm sorry. That's the last bit...

that's, erm...

...I have got through all the horrible stuff,

and this is...

where you see the real person, isn't it?

Um, so this is Rena Costello.

Um, so this is Rena Costello.

This is Anne McFall.

And this is little eight-year-old Charmaine.

As working class victims from Glasgow,

these three girls were not valued. They were overlooked.

these three girls were not valued. They were overlooked.

At the time, there was no empathy towards them.

They were forgotten.

They didn't have a chance.

They didn't have a chance.

Rena, Charmaine and Anne.

These were not sexually sadistical murders,

These were not sexually sadistical murders,

as with most of the other victims.

These were murders out of expediency,

These were murders out of expediency,

because they were in the way...

...but set a pattern that Fred would go on to use for years.

...but set a pattern that Fred would go on to use for years.

Almost all of the girls found at Cromwell Street,

and young women,

and young women,

they came from vulnerable backgrounds,

and mostly been in care, they'd had difficult childhoods.

People like Anne and Rena.

In relation to Rena and Anne,

they never had their story told in court,

because Fred committed suicide before trial.

because Fred committed suicide before trial.

Rose was never charged with their murders,

so their account of what happened to them,

so their account of what happened to them,

has never been told, in any detail.

I think it's important for people to understand

I think it's important for people to understand

the failings of the society that they were brought up in.

And the failings of the authorities in protecting them.

And the failings of the authorities in protecting them.

(TENSE, PULSING MUSIC)

I don't think they could ever have surmised the tsunami of pain

I don't think they could ever have surmised the tsunami of pain

that trauma has caused people over the years.

And, it makes no difference whether you came from Coatbridge,

And, it makes no difference whether you came from Coatbridge,

or whether you went to a private school like Eton,

or Fettes in Scotland.

The harm that sexual predators do, is horrific.

The harm that sexual predators do, is horrific.

It's the Everest of all childhood traumas.

It's the Everest of all childhood traumas.

I've discovered how easy it is,

for men to erase the lives of women.

for men to erase the lives of women.

To erase their stories.

It's hugely important

to keep telling the stories of the unheard women,

to keep telling the stories of the unheard women,

the voices, the children.

Children like Charmaine.

These people lived, they were important,

These people lived, they were important,

their stories matter,

because you just feel patterns will repeat.

because you just feel patterns will repeat.

Patterns will keep going on, unless we learn the lessons.

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