Judge John Deed (2001) s02e03 Episode Script

I'm thinking of buying a house in France.
Oh, how fabulous.
Can I come and stay? Don't talk with your mouth full, Darina.
You know your father wouldn't have tolerated it.
- I'm sorry, Mummy.
- You're doing it again.
Stop.
Does that mean I'll never see you again, Wilfred? It's just an idea.
Daddy liked France.
Excuse me, Mrs Hay.
Chief Inspector Skinns is here.
- Does he know it's lunch time? - I told him you were having lunch.
Ask him to come in, Jean.
Perhaps he's caught Daddy's killer.
Coming at lunch time is inconsiderate, whatever his reason.
Did you bring the entire murder squad, Mr Skinns? I'm here to ask your children to accompany me to the police station.
It's in connection with the murder of their father, Julian Hay.
- Are you arresting us? - Yes, sir.
My lord, the council's prime objection to Mr Ball's licence application is the likely increase in noise and lawlessness that would inevitably follow licensing such premises.
Hold on.
Is there evidence that people who attend lap-dancing clubs are less likely to be law-abiding than those who go to other establishments? - I don't have such information, my lord.
- Then why introduce it? It's generally known that such establishments attract low types.
No.
You can't argue this without evidence.
The entire basis for this objection seems to be on the grounds of good taste.
Lap dancing both exploits the women who do it and degrades the men who pay for it, but until the government becomes the good-taste police, the appellant should be granted his licence.
There is the question of his, erm, suitability.
- Mr Ball does have a criminal record.
- That conviction was for assault when I was 19.
Yes.
Thank you, Mr Ball.
He's got a point, Ms Tatchell.
Spent as it is, my lord, the conviction is nevertheless an index of character, one the licence granting authority cannot ignore.
Well, I don't agree.
Francesca? This is a surprise.
John.
A friendly face.
Who never got his calls returned.
No.
We were doing neither of our reputations any good.
- I heard you left Ian.
- Yes, a while ago.
- Do you come here often? - Is that your new chat-up line? No.
No! My car's gone.
I'm trying to work out what to do.
Someone's taken it.
- You must call the police.
- Yes.
I'm less worried about the car, the papers in it were my life for the past year.
- He might not have gone very far.
- Stupid to leave them in there.
- Oh, especially if they are irreplaceable.
- It's not that.
I just don't have the energy to spend another year fighting her.
Come on, I'll run you to the police station.
Sorry, I hate showering at the gym.
This should be compulsory reading for judges.
How to Reverse the Ageing Process.
Oh, uh, I'm trying to find a way of solving a problem for my aunt.
- She have Alzheimer's? - She gets very confused.
What does her doctor say? Well, that would be something to know.
Aunt Dottie - She won't let him examine her.
- Well, how does she run her publishing empire? Well, a lot of the magazines are losing money.
My cousin Giles and I do most of the day-to-day stuff.
He can be as difficult as Aunt Dottie.
He doesn't want me get her help.
He wants to take over the company.
- Is there gonna be anything left to take over? - A lot of property.
Print works at Blackfriars, office blocks in Mayfair, - half the sea front in Brighton.
- Oh, well.
What are you gonna do with all this research, then? I really don't know.
Would you like some coffee? Mmm, no.
Sorry.
I'm still a bit confused - since my separation.
- Mmm-hmm, yeah, well, it takes a long time.
Yeah.
- You planning to divorce Ian? - Yes.
He doesn't want me to.
There's a clause in a will.
He'll forfeit some family money.
I've got a conspiracy trial starting, a lot of reading to do.
So Well, um, you know where I am.
Edward Rex Hay.
Wilfred Adrian Hay.
Darina Rose Hay.
You are charged, jointly, that on or about the 18th of May last year you conspired together, and with one Kevin Helyer, to murder Julian Hay and Mary Hay.
- How do you plead? - Not guilty.
And for Wilfred and Darina.
Mr Hay, your bother and sister must enter their own pleas.
Not guilty.
Not guilty.
You may sit down.
- None of you represented? - No, my lord.
I'm representing us.
Mr Hay, although you are a solicitor, you cannot legally represent your brother and sister.
They can, if they so wish, adopt your defence.
I would urge both them and you to reconsider finding representation.
- We don't need to, my lord.
- How do you feel about that, Miss Hay? I'm happy with Ed.
- And you, Mr Hay? - I agree with Darina.
Well, you're free to change you mind.
I will assist you in any way that I can.
Mr Mason Allen, are you ready to open for the prosecution? My lord, we're psychologically disadvantaged in conducting our defence from the dock.
Could we move to the defence bench? I only have the power to allow this if I can persuade the Dock Officer.
- Being here presumes guilt.
- Well, hardly, but it's a fair point.
- Are you agreeable to that? - We'll have to sit behind them, sir.
Yeah, fine.
Mr James, the judge is still sitting.
It's you we wish to see, Mrs Cooper.
The department is thinking of moving you.
Well, you can't.
I'm with Mr Justice Deed.
We can't? It's time to remind you what your precise function is here.
Shut the door.
During the course of this case, you'll hear and see things I'm sure you wished you hadn't.
A plot to murder two loving parents was hatched by three children who had had every advantage, who cunningly hid their malevolence towards their father and mother, who calmly ate lunch with them on the day of the killing, knowing the burglar they had hired for £20,OOO was on his way to kill them.
- Oh, hi.
- She's so happy.
Oh, yes.
She should be a police dog.
She's open to bribery.
Yes.
Thank you, Officer.
- You want a drink? - Had two already.
I should give it up if I were you.
You all right? I'm pregnant.
Ah.
You sure? About 98 percent, according to the test instructions.
How do you feel about it? - It's quite exciting.
- Glad you think so.
I mean, what would I do with a baby? I mean, every moment of my life is taken up.
I can't keep it.
- Can't the father help? - I'm thinking of having a termination.
Well, that's quite a big decision, Chaz.
Shouldn't we talk about this? No, we shouldn't.
I - I don't have any choice.
- Life offers loads of alternatives nowadays.
I'm not gonna give up law.
Well, women have careers and children.
- Yeah, well, they don't get to the top.
- Your mother did.
What does the father have to say about this? It's Henry Kuhle, the lecturer I was seeing.
- Look, I've made up my mind.
- Then unmake it, Chaz.
Think some more.
It's no big deal, Dad.
I don't need your permission.
- You need my financial support.
- Great.
Control always comes down to the one with the money.
I expected that from Mum and Neil, not from you.
Thanks for nothing.
Why, she She tore past me like a greyhound.
You never quite get it right, do you? So, uh, are you still living with Jeff? Sir Ian, do you have a moment? Not really, no.
Thank you.
Mmm? We've been reviewing some of Mr Justice Deed's cases.
- There appears to be serious misconduct.
- Oh, I have no doubt, Laurence.
- Oh, what was it you discovered? - A case before Deed last year.
He directed the jury to acquit a doctor accused of murdering her elderly patient.
He subsequently denied having an affair with Dr Bellew.
Aha.
The problem is, there's no way we can sanction a High Court judge in such circumstances.
There is a precedent.
In 1805, Lord Melville was impeached for high crimes and misdemeanours 200 years ago.
I admire your tenacity in wanting to bring this recalcitrant judge to book, but it's a sledgehammer to crack a nut, and a high-risk strategy at that.
There is something else, sir.
It involves Lady Rochester.
Speak freely.
You know the situation.
It seems she's resumed seeing Deed, sir.
She was at his court.
Then, later, he was at her apartment.
Have you been spying on her? We'll explore the more usual channels for undermining judges, MPs asking questions, pressure from senior judges, - tabloid press exposure.
- Sir.
Laurence, under the circumstances, I mustn't be seen to be involved.
Do you want me to talk to Charlie? If I thought it would help, I'd even ask her mother to, although I suspect George would stick her in a taxi and take her to the clinic herself.
- At least you'd know it was done properly.
- I don't want it done at all, Jo.
It's not your decision, John.
Well, I thought you of all people would have understood.
We can't change what was by trying to dictate what should be now.
- We have to step back and learn to let go.
- She's making a huge mistake.
And you're not helping.
Are you trying to make a complete fool of me? You've seen John Deed again.
- You still spying on me, Ian? - I wouldn't demean myself.
If you don't like my behaviour, then divorce me.
You know what that means under my family's will.
Then you have to agree to give me half the money.
Charlie.
Charlie, please call me, we need to talk.
- That was quick.
- Was it? I thought it was my daughter.
I got my papers back.
My cousin Giles had borrowed my car.
- Did you tell the police? - Yes.
They were perfectly sweet.
Well, they would be, they can chalk it up as a win.
So, maybe I'll bump into you at the gym again? I don't know when.
- What a pity.
- Look, I'm making dinner.
- Have you eaten? - No.
Will the research papers help you with your aunt? I'm sure there's help to be had if she wants it.
- Is she a danger to herself or others? - No.
I don't think so.
Well, if she's ruining her business, her employees are gonna be out of work.
Some sort of action might be needed.
I don't know what to do for the best.
It's sometimes hard to see when you're so close.
I lied.
I've already eaten.
How scandalous, my lord.
I wanted to see you again.
This is John Deed.
Leave me a message, please.
Look, I can't let you dictate my life just because you have some romantic notion about me being a mother.
Forget it.
Chief Inspector, can you tell the jury how you came to arrest the three accused? A chance call from the uniform branch.
They'd arrested a burglar called Kevin Helyer who was looking for some help.
Meaning what, Chief Inspector? He was looking for a lesser charge.
His burglary was similar to the one committed where Mr Hay Snr died.
Having been linked by DNA to that death, Helyer wanted to use the opportunity to get a lighter sentence.
Did the CPS offer to trade with him? I believe there was an arrangement.
Was this confession induced by promise of a lighter sentence? No, my lord.
Did Helyer do other than confess to the killing of Julian Hay and assaulting Mary Hay? Yes.
He said he was lured into this conspiracy by his solicitor Edward Hay, by his solicitor's brother, Wilfred, and his sister, Darina.
We should hear this from Mr Helyer himself, Mr Mason Allen.
Mmm.
Yes.
Thank you, Chief Inspector.
Chief Inspector, I believe the burglar, Kevin Helyer, who confessed to killing my father, was given an eight-year prison sentence, is that so? Yes, he was.
This light sentence was a result of some special arrangement with the CPS.
He confessed to manslaughter, Mr Hay.
The trial judge would have had the greatest discretion when it came to sentencing.
Yes, I know.
After seven months, wasn't your murder investigation, in fact, at a standstill when this confession fell into your lap? Murder enquiries never stand still.
Before Helyer's confession, did you consider us murder suspects? You were on my list.
- Did you do anything about your suspicion? - Not initially, my lord.
- Did you know Helyer was my client? - Not until his confession, sir.
Or that he hadn't paid me? - I assumed he'd been on legal aid.
- You'd have thought so.
An unsuccessful burglar.
And did he tell you I'd threatened him over the money? No, sir.
Were you intending to sue this unsuccessful burglar for recovery? No, I threatened to divulge something I'd learnt by way of a privileged communication.
Has this privilege been waived by your former client? Well, Helyer has put it in his witness statement, which is in your bundle, my lord.
Item 2B in your bundle.
I'm obliged to you, Mr Mason Allen.
My aunt sacked everyone, all 147 of us.
Can she manage on her own? She says her spirit guides will help.
Huh.
Do they have an editorial policy? If she's out of control, you might have to bite the bullet, get her sectioned.
Put her in a loony bin? I don't think so, John.
Sometimes we have to be cruel to be kind.
From the sound of it, you either force help on her, - or let the firm go.
- Then the firm may have to go.
Why, if it's a viable company? - Couldn't you run it? - Giles and I are running it.
Presumably without executive control.
No, I I couldn't do anything to hurt Aunt Dottie.
Save the company, then your aunt.
- Mrs Mills is on line one, Judge.
- Is it urgent? I didn't ask, Judge.
Jo, I'm in the middle of a con.
I talked to a psychologist friend about Charlie.
Good.
Thank you.
Look, um, I'll call you later.
Oh You owe it to those employees, Francesca, and yourself.
Thanks, Coop.
No.
It would be too horrible for poor Dorothy.
Something that doctors decide.
Look, you need somebody reliable for this.
Jo Mills would do this sort of thing with great tact.
But it is very minor for a silk, a junior would be cheaper.
- Well, if you think Jo would be best - Well, I can talk to her.
Your solicitor will have to instruct her.
You can't be serious.
I thought you asked me here to talk about Charlie.
Let your girlfriend sort out her own mess, I can't get involved.
Why, does her case lack merit? You're my closest friend, Jo, the person I trust most in all the world.
Whatever you decide, I know it will be for the right reasons.
You make it so hard to say no! - Is the coffee drinkable? - I don't know, I don't drink it.
John, as Mrs Mills is here, there is a matter for concern.
- Doesn't sound like good news, Michael.
- The LCD have been asking odd questions.
I think that they're exploring the means of your removal.
Good job I've got my lawyer with me, then.
This is serious, John.
- On what grounds? - I assume that they relate - to your relationship with Mrs Mills.
- We don't have a relationship.
Well, not that sort, anyway.
I think the perception is the problem.
You didn't hear this from me.
How do you sleep at night? You have a short memory.
- Hello? - Hello, it's Jo Mills.
Oh, hang on.
- It's Jo Mills.
- She's early.
It's Francesca.
Pull the door.
- Are you early? - We said 5:OO.
My watch must have stopped.
- My cousin, Giles.
- Who's just leaving.
You could stay and tell Mrs Mills about Aunt Dottie.
Well, why don't you tell her? It would help get this done with less pain.
Sharing pain only doubles it, Franny.
- Is he angry about something? - He doesn't want this.
- Does he have a better solution? - Unfortunately not.
I don't want this either, but I don't know what else to do.
Your reason has to be entirely transparent.
I have nothing to hide.
- We must be utterly frank.
- I will be.
- Are you having an affair with John? - Ooh, that's pretty frank.
Are you? - Is that what he said? - I didn't ask.
Well, my life's already far too complicated.
Charlie, it's me.
Me would like to see you, or at least talk to you.
Stephen, no, Stephen.
I'm going to see Charlie.
What do you plan to do, wrestle me to the ground? - I could hang on to the bumpers, Judge.
- Feel free.
Who do you think he's off to see tonight, Stephen? Charlie, what have I done? - You just don't get it, do you, Dad? - I'm a million miles off.
Let me make up my own mind for once.
I'm trying to be supportive.
- Look, do you want me to talk to Henry? - Are you kidding? Well, would you rather I didn't care? You don't seem to mind how much anarchy you have around you.
One thing you can be sure of, Charlie, no matter what strokes you play, sooner or later your children will reproach you for whatever mess they get into.
- I'm not in a mess.
- What do you call an unwanted pregnancy, then? I would have thought you would have supported my right to choose.
There is more to this than a simple choice.
Look, I don't need a baby in my life right now.
You might think it's fun, entertaining.
You can probably even take it on to the bench with you as part of those ancient perks you High Court judges have.
I don't need it in my life! You have to let her go, John.
Is that the extent of your psychologist friend's advice? Charlie wants to run her life, try letting her.
- Your relationship might change.
- Our relationship is perfectly fine.
Then why ask me about it? Did you see Francesca? - Did she call you? - No.
I decided to do the case, I'm not sure why.
Mr Helyer, can you tell the court why you are currently in prison? I'm serving eight years, manslaughter, for accidentally killing a man, Julian Hay.
Did you do this on your own, without any prompting? No.
Those three were involved.
In what way were the defendants involved? Ed asked me to kill his mum and dad.
- That's a lie! - Mr Hay.
It is.
- Were you going to do this for free? - No.
Ed paid me £20,OOO.
Isn't this an extraordinary thing? A solicitor inviting you to commit a crime.
No, no, no.
Don't take advantage, Mr Mason Allen.
I do apologise, my lord.
Well, I told him I'd already killed someone else, so I guess he thought I was up for it.
Was that under client-solicitor privilege? Yeah.
The old boy had a heart attack when I broke in.
- Did Mr Hay bring this up again? - Yeah, he did.
I think it was the third time we met up.
Yeah, he wouldn't stop whining about what beasts his parents was.
- So, he asked me to kill them both.
Did you agree there and then? No, not at first, but he said if I didn't, he was gonna shop me for the other killing.
- He used that expression? - Yeah, he did.
In other words, he used privileged information to blackmail you.
I have warned you, Mr Mason Allen.
You know you can't put a leading question in the examination in chief.
I do apologise, my lord.
Mr Helyer was it your intention to kill the defendant's parents? No, I was just planning to scare them, but the old boy panicked when I tied him up.
Yes, he suffered a cerebral haemorrhage, I believe.
Yeah, well, I didn't know that, did I? Until afterwards.
And what was Mr Hay's reaction? Well, he didn't wanna pay the second whack 'cause I ain't done his mum.
You received a puny eight years for killing my father, seriously assaulting my mother, as well as killing another person.
- You're lucky not to have three life sentences.
- My lord - Mr Hay, please confine yourself to questions.
- I'm sorry.
- It is my father.
- Yes, I understand the emotions involved.
This is the problem with doing the case yourself.
Why is it you were dealt with so leniently? The police believed my story.
Could it be because you had dragged three innocent people into this odious conspiracy, one you dreamed up to mitigate your own vile deeds? No, you hired me.
You decided to rob my parents after I foolishly mentioned they were rich.
You told me where you all lived.
You're not only a murderer, you're a liar! You took me to the house when they was out, and you showed me the burglar alarm.
- You liar! - You said they was making your life a misery.
- You filthy liar! My lord.
- Mr Hay.
- He's a total liar! Then show he is by questions in cross-examination.
Your deal with the CPS is a travesty of justice after what you did to two harmless old people.
Mr Hay, I accept that emotions are high, but, really, you must confine yourself I'm sorry, my lord.
Your interests, and those of your brother and sister, might best be served by representation.
I want him to suffer for what he did! I'm sorry.
Would you like a short adjournment to recover yourself? He's not crying, look at him.
They're pretend tears.
Just like when he told me what Mummy and Daddy used to do to him.
"Please, Kevin, you've gotta kill Mummy and Daddy, I'll give you anything.
" - Shut your filthy mouth, shut it! "Please, Kevin " Mr Hay, this must stop now, and you, button it.
Either you take control of your emotions, or you can continue from the dock.
Perhaps we'd better get representation.
Would the jury go out, please? Do you need to discuss this with your brother and sister? - No.
- I see.
Any objections, Mr Mason Allen? Might this be achieved quickly? If barristers can be found and are prepared to read the papers over the weekend, we might resume on Monday.
My case collapsed.
The defendant broke down in the witness box and confessed.
Ouch.
- You looking for work? - Yeah! The defendants in a conspiracy trial have abandoned their own defence.
- Sounds like they need the fire brigade.
- Isn't that what I taught you to be, Jo? 18 years ago I expected life to become more sedate.
Sedate? Sounds like death.
A doctor and a social worker have been to see Aunt Dottie, uh, Dorothy Lomax.
She claims Francesca and Giles aren't related to her.
Francesca is the illegitimate child of her dead husband's sister-in-law.
- Isn't that her niece? - At a stretch.
What Francesca's relationship is to Giles Rowley - They're cousins.
- Not according to Aunt Dorothy.
He's apparently trying to develop a soft-porn empire.
- Did you believe her? - I did find her lucid.
The doctors found her rocky enough to section her.
Well, she does go off to some pretty weird places.
Green Street Green, where President Kennedy is hiding out, apparently.
She's ruining a perfectly viable publishing business.
It is her business, John.
If you were sitting on the Court of Protection, I daresay you could grant an EPA on the nod, here and now, and your girlfriend would have control.
I thought you knew me better.
I've asked for a listing as early as possible.
Aunt Dorothy is the sole signatory at the bank.
People haven't been paid.
Francesca should take power.
- I'm not entirely convinced, John.
- Now, why is that? She's saving 147 jobs.
You asked me to do this, I trust you, but at times, you can be a bit naive.
Oh, well.
Fortunately, I'm not hearing the case.
You should go and meet Aunt Dorothy at the hospital, you might find her interesting.
Give it back.
No, no, give it back.
Oh, no.
I'm not playing this game with you, it's too juvenile.
- Come on.
- No, I'm not John.
Why didn't you call? I might have missed you.
I had some time off.
You haven't met my cousin.
We were just off to see Aunt Dottie.
She's given me a million and one things to do since she got incarcerated.
- Is she gonna be pleased to see you? - Oh, that's hard to know.
Look, Giles, why don't you go on, hmm? - Sure.
- I'll catch you later.
What's your relationship with Giles? We've known each other for years.
I think Jo rather liked him.
- Is he family? - We're all the family Dorothy's got.
She sort of adopted him when he started working for her.
His parents were killed when he was 18.
- You all right? - Yes, fine.
Your husband's trying to pull me down.
- Lan's a poor loser.
- Mmm-hmm.
Could he succeed? Depends how foolish I've been.
How dare he question your integrity? I'll call you as a character witness.
I can give you some ammunition to lob at Ian.
He diddled Aunt Dorothy out of some property.
Oh, I like the sound of that.
I did try calling.
I'd have made dinner.
Oh, I thought Row Colemore might be eating here.
Would you like to go in and check? You heard from Charlie? She doesn't respond to my messages.
Yeah, all right, maybe I should cut her some slack.
That would be a start.
What is it, John? I saw Francesca earlier.
There's something wrong there.
I'm not even sure if I like her.
Well, something holds you.
- You know what my problem is.
- Right now, your love life is not my priority.
- Marry me.
- And you'll stop all of this? Reach your own decision.
Nothing I say will make any difference.
What is she suffering from? We haven't been able to ascertain that.
Her delusions vary in context, duration and intensity.
Dorothy, you have a visitor, dear.
Don't address me like your senile auntie.
You're helping these people steal my business.
- What people, Mrs Lomax? - They won't get away with it.
- I'll tell my lawyer.
- What is it they're stealing from you? I'll see you all in jail for theft.
Okay, um Who is your lawyer? No.
If I tell you that, you'll turn him against me, and then I'll have to stay in this dreadful place.
The food is terrible, the people are rude, the whole place reeks of human detritus.
Thank God my husband isn't around.
- When did he die? - Oh, he's not dead.
He's hiding out at Green Street Green.
- Why is he doing that? - Well, he knows what's going - Who are you? Can I leave you with Dorothy, Sir John? I loathe the patronising way they speak to one.
- Do you know why you're here? - Oh, yes.
So that my niece and her boyfriend Giles can steal my property.
- Boyfriend? - Mmm.
Um Didn't you adopt Giles when his parents died? Well, he insinuated himself into my life, yeah.
Would you like a walk round the grounds? Well, Francesca's definitely right.
Her husband did steal some property.
She thinks I don't know.
- Why didn't you stop him? - I don't always function quite at par.
Isn't it a good idea to get help? Trouble is, John, the less I do myself, the less I'm able to do.
- People say I'm a control freak.
- What does your husband say? Oh, no.
I told you he was hiding out at Green Street Green, didn't I? Mmm-hmm.
I don't know why I say that.
It just pops out.
Well, sometimes it's to do with mental overload, you know? Well, I hope you're right.
Once, at a function with Ian and Francesca, I told the American ambassador that President Kennedy was at Green Street Green.
What did he say? I think he thought I was crazy.
Anyway, I made a mistake, should have been President Nixon.
Hi, this is Charlie Deed, leave me a message.
Charlie, please talk to me.
I've realised something important.
You're right to want to decide things for yourself.
So I'll be in your favourite restaurant, about 5:OO.
It would be nice if You decide.
Sorry.
- She's not gonna show up.
- Carol.
I'm sorry, I didn't see you when I came in.
What, you'd forgotten that I worked here? Do you know something I don't? She's gone to get a termination.
- When? She didn't say.
- You'd have tried to stop her.
- Yes, I did try.
- Well, maybe you didn't try hard enough.
She didn't pick up the phone.
Sometimes that is the hardest thing for a woman to do, even to her dad.
I think she did want you to stop her.
Where did she go? I don't know.
I don't believe you.
Where's the clinic? Look, Judge, you're not in the courtroom now.
I said I don't know, and if I did, I don't think I'd say.
Yeah, I'm sorry, I Just get me my bill, will you, please? Oh, don't worry, Judge, you don't owe me a thing.
Where's Charlie? - Oh, Sir John - Where's Charlie? How should I know? Don't you think you ought to pay a bit more attention? You have a moral obligation, if not a legal one.
I take it you are the father.
- I don't wish to discuss this.
- Well, shame on you! I hope you show a bit more backbone in your approach to law lectures.
Charlie knew I was married, I told her when we started.
Yes, very virtuous.
And what are you going to do now, scurry back to your wife? Yeah.
No, look Charlie finished with me, I said I'd support the baby, Charlie didn't wanna keep it.
Why? What did she say? She's made up her mind.
- She's getting a termination.
- When? - Where's the clinic? - I don't know.
I believe it was somewhere her mother found.
Oh, I thought it was Neil, telling me how late I am.
If that's the tone of voice you use, I'd rather him than me.
Well, what a coincidence, John, I'd rather him than you.
- Have you seen Charlie? - You know I have.
Why else would you be here? Why are you encouraging her to have an abortion? She's had it.
It happens, John, it's not the end of the world.
I think she was wrong.
She's 21, she wants a life.
- Is she okay? - In the circumstances.
You'll just have to learn to live with it, the same as she will.
- I spoke to the father.
- How very last century.
Did you know he was married? Someone's marriage vows haven't stopped you in the past.
- He said he'd support her.
- I doubt it.
He thought getting pregnant was immature of her.
I would have supported her and the baby, she knew that.
Did it never occur to you she might not want your help, John? Possibly, she substituted Henry for you.
So what would you have me do? Nothing? Sometimes that's all we can do.
Look, she's not happy about what happened.
She feels angry and stupid and sad, but it was her decision.
I can't believe that's what Charlie wanted.
Will you look at your statement? It challenges the very possibility that it might for a moment be what she wants.
No such thought crossed my mind.
I know how you use words, John.
Even this act to accommodate what has happened is domineering.
She complained that you never restricted her, or gave her boundaries, because you thought it uncool for a radical civil liberties lawyer.
What would have happened if she'd got into hard drugs as a result? She's far too intelligent for that.
People a lot more intelligent than our daughter become addicts.
I don't want her to go away from me.
What a pity I have to go.
It's nice seeing you feeling out of control.
George.
- Was I really so domineering? - Was? Did something happen for you to put it in the past tense? It's about time, thought you were never gonna Oh, hello.
You seem quite at home.
Yeah, why not? Franny and I have known each other since childhood.
Have you? Where was that? - Eh? - Where was that? Come on, what is this? Well, can't you remember where you and Francesca might have been kids? How about if we go and look in the bedroom? Would we find your clothes in the drawers? Don't you think you're being a bit paranoid? You're not saying much to dispel it.
Look, there's nothing between us, okay? We're cousins.
What, blood cousins? Second cousins? Third cousins? - You can sleep with your second cousin.
- We're not like that.
What's your relationship with Dorothy Lomax? - Think carefully before you answer.
- I'm not gonna put up with this.
She says that you're an employee who insinuated himself into their lives.
- Aunt Dottie is off her head.
- I'm not so sure.
- I'm out of here.
- No, you stay.
I'll go, you need to sort out your story with Franny.
Nice car.
What was it? 50K? It's not mine, it's a friend's.
Nice friend.
Should introduce me.
Row, it's John, hi.
Do you think you could do me a favour? Hi, this is Charlie Deed, leave me a message.
Ajournalist from The Daily Mail is here asking about you, Judge.
Do the Lord Chancellor's people know he's here? He is a she, Judge, Merigo Henderson.
A press officer from the LCD and Laurence James are with her, they want to know if you could spare her some time? - Did we know about this? - I wasn't warned.
Mr Justice Deed's He's about to get into court, hold on.
DAC Colemore's outside.
- Bring him through, Coop.
- I'm on my way.
Hi, this is Charlie Deed, leave me a message.
Well I didn't expect a reply in person.
Well, I was in the county.
Uh, we checked the ownership of that Lotus, it's registered to a Tim Ball.
Nasty piece of work, has a string of lap-dancing clubs.
Well, is that a coincidence? I gave a ruling recently in his favour.
Anything here for us, John? Well, I hope not.
There's something else.
There's a journalist from the News of the World who's been asking questions about our past relationship.
Oh, no, not another one.
I hardly think that will excite their readership.
Well, they know about my helping you out in that nightclub scrape - when I was a DC.
- How? It was 100 years ago.
- Looks like someone's out to make mischief.
- I've got a good idea who.
With your leave, my lord, I've been instructed by the defendant, Edward Hay, to present his defence.
My learned colleagues, Ms Kneal and Mr Bushnell, represent the other two defendants.
Good to see you again, Mr Machin.
Lack of objectivity in the defence is not a concern I need to have any longer.
Are you ready to continue, or do you want an adjournment? A short adjournment would be useful.
- Shall we say till after lunch? - Much obliged, my lord.
Perhaps after the adjournment, you'd all like to join the silk on the front bench.
Till this afternoon All rise.
Mr James wondered whether you might spare the journalist a few moments now? Yes, bring them through.
Okay, I'll come and get you.
- Hello? John? I wasn't sure I'd get you.
Then why are you trying? Oh.
Oh, you're cross.
I'm sorry I missed you last night, I was at the office, going through the books, the situation is far worse than I thought.
Yes, well, there's a lot going on right now.
Don't be cross, please.
I don't know who else to turn to.
Giles has been taking money from the company.
Well, if he's stealing, try the police.
He said he'd borrowed it.
- Where are you? - I'm I'm at the office, trying to stem this money haemorrhage.
Can I see you? Come to chambers, about 5:OO.
Ms Henderson from The Daily Mail, Judge.
Can I ask you a frank question, Sir John? Is there any truth in the rumours that you started an affair with Dr Helena Bellew, on the 19th of May last year, three days after you directed a jury to acquit her of the murder of one of her patients? That's frank.
Dr Bellew went to your lodgings late at night, I believe.
You've been talking to my butler.
Is it true? You have any more frank questions? Would you say it was modern for a judge to have sexual relations with a barrister who's appearing before him? I could caution you to publish at your peril, but I'm more inclined towards Wellington's famous dictum.
Why don't you give me your side, Sir John? I think you've already written your story, Miss Henderson.
Coop, could you dig out the papers on Dr Bellew for me? I want to refresh my memory.
Mrs Cooper, how nice.
Let me guess what they are, sir.
The papers in the Dr Bellew trial.
Sir Ian Rochester wants them.
Well, Mr Justice Deed has requested them.
Perhaps he plans to feed more gossip to journalists.
He said Sir Ian wanted them.
Mr James.
Sneaking off like a thief with my papers? My lord? These papers are under my jurisdiction.
We believe them to be court papers, Sir John.
Having requested them be brought to me, it's the same as if they're on my desk.
We are going to have the papers.
- Not with my assistance.
- Lf we refuse? We have several options.
We could knock you down, like any thief.
We could call security.
Or, we could have you locked in a cell for contempt.
You take your pick.
This is ridiculous, Sir John.
This is utterly absurd.
Call Sir Ian Rochester.
Of course, sir.
Sorry, sir, Judge's orders.
John, you cannot jail the circuit administrator.
He was doing his job.
Oh, he'll stay where he is till he purges his contempt.
No, sir.
Those papers are not yours, and it is not contempt to take them.
The Act relates only to something done in the face of the court.
I know what the Act says and how to interpret it.
You will release him immediately.
Oh, so suddenly I'm subject to the demands of the executive again.
Whatever happened to the unfettered administration of justice? We both know what this is about, the squalid little affair you're having with my wife! Yes, and what are you gonna do about it? I shall do everything in my power to maintain the integrity of the bench.
Meanwhile, your man will make all the right noises to secure his release.
I will instruct him to apologise, but only in order to stop the bench being brought into disrepute.
But, my lord, we will have those papers.
You could have had them straightaway if only he'd had the good manners to ask for them.
Well, the word is you're in serious trouble, Judge.
What am I supposed to have done now? - Well, I don't like to say, my lord.
- Go on.
Well, you're supposed to be having an affair with Mrs Mills.
Oh.
I thought it was Dr Bellew that was exercising their squalid little minds.
You claim that Mr Hay suggested you might terrorise his parents.
At which point did you decide that you might do this? Are you kidding me? He offered me 20K.
- Would you do anything for £20,OOO? - Wouldn't you? - Just answer the question.
- How long did you think about it? I knew straightaway.
You undertook for money an action which lead to the death of a man? Well, he was a beast.
Nevertheless, a man you didn't know.
They'd already told me how evil he was, all right, and their mum.
I mean, after what they did to them, I would have topped them for nothing.
Mr Helyer, this is an entire pack of lies, a complete fabrication, with which you hoodwinked the CPS in order to get a lesser sentence, is it not? No, it's not.
First you claim you only intended to scare them, now you'd have "topped them for nothing".
I just told you they were beasts, treating grown-up kids like that.
I mean, Darina was a bag of nerves.
I mean, she still wets the bed, don't you, darling? You an expert in parenting, Mr Helyer? - Yeah, I like kids.
- Well, tell us how you treat your own children.
- I treat 'em all right.
- Is that why they were taken into care, Mr Helyer? They were taken into care? Look, I know what's right, okay? It's like when I was little, when my mum used to hit me with a coat hanger.
Whack.
But that would be it.
I mean, she didn't go round degrading me like that lot.
Why were your children taken into care, Mr Helyer? Social worker had it in for me.
- Which social worker was that? - All of 'em.
All seven? Who were involved over a period of three years? - Yeah, they were all liars.
- Whereas you only tell the truth? Once they get their hooks into you, right, they never let go.
It don't matter what you do, nothing's good enough for 'em.
What did they lie about, Mr Helyer? You leaving a one-year-old and a three-year-old alone at night in a filthy cot? You breaking the three-year-old's jaw when you couldn't stop him crying? You just side with him 'cause he's got money, all right? People like me don't stand a chance.
I mean, they can get away with murder, I give my little boy a tiny little slap, and I'm hauled in.
You did break your son's jaw? You only know what you hear from those lying social workers.
I'd like to kill them.
Did you take pleasure in killing, Mr Helyer? Well, I'd take pleasure in killing them, put it that way.
How did the CPS make a deal with you? They said if I confess, I'd go down but I'd be out in five or something That seems indecently lenient, I'm going to ask the Attorney General to look at the inappropriateness of your sentence, and see if he can find a way to make it longer.
Well, you can't do that, can you? 'Cause we've already got a deal.
Well, you see, the relevant test to decide if a sentence is too soft, is whether public confidence in the criminal justice system could be maintained if the public were made aware of the circumstances.
I think I know what the public would think, Mr Helyer.
So, I'm going to talk to the Attorney about your sentence.
- No, you can't do that! - You just watch me.
You can't do that.
Look, speak to him, will you? - Be quiet! - Don't just stand there.
Be quiet, or you'll be back in your cell right now! My lord, this is a principal prosecution witness.
I know very well what he is, Mr Mason Allen.
Mr Machin, would you like to continue? Should I get the duty nurse, Judge? No, my dignity was assaulted more than my person.
Perhaps you could get me some tea.
You've not forgotten Mr James? Oh, yes, I had, actually.
I wonder how he would have felt about a night in the cell.
Well, he might get it yet.
You think he won't apologise? He's got an awful lot of pride, Judge.
Perhaps I'll have my tea first.
Shouldn't we come down there, Sir Ian? This judge is nothing if not bloody-minded.
I'd feel inclined to do what you must from there.
But we don't accept there was any contempt.
Regrettably, we have to do it his way for now.
All rise.
What do you have to say, Mr James? We are very sorry, my lord, for behaving in an improper and disrespectful way towards you.
It is not "we" who are in contempt, Mr James, it's you.
However, I accept your apology.
We do require the papers to carry out the proper function of our office.
Do you know, I'm not convinced that you're sincere in your apology, Mr James.
Perhaps a night in the local remand prison would make you more contrite.
My lord, we are utterly, totally, absolutely, irrefutably, sincere in our apology.
Any offence we cause is wholly wrong, and we are sorry for it.
Well, if that's your last word, you can go.
On your way out, if you call in at the list office, you will find that Mrs Cooper has been kind enough to photocopy the papers.
All rise.
What a splendid response, John.
I think that psychopath hardly expected a judge to punch back.
Can I expect a briefing from the LCD? If they're wise, they'll keep well away.
Uh, if you'll excuse me.
Wasn't that Michael Nivan? Well, I thought he was my friend as well as Ian's.
We all make that mistake when we separate from our spouses.
Thanks, Coop.
- Aunt Dottie said you went to see her.
- Mmm-hmm.
She was impressed.
- Was she quite lucid? - Yes.
When she is, she can be tremendous fun.
Oh.
Of course, Aunt Dottie's not the problem right now.
Here.
Hi, Dad, it's me.
I saw the news, I hope you're all right.
Yeah, well, um, I expect you are.
Next message.
John, have you seen the news? They're all saying how manfully you dealt with the attack.
It does make a woman feel secure.
Bye.
- I have to go.
- I'll give you a lift, in case Giles shows up.
I don't want you to get drawn into this mess.
- What's his connection with Tim Ball? - I don't know.
I think Ball put up some money for a skin mag when Giles wanted to go it alone.
It went down.
Now Ball wants his money back.
He's pressing quite hard.
Giles should go to the police.
I think he's scared.
Oh Laurence, did you see Deed's press? His heroics got yards of positive publicity.
Not even The Mail is interested in pulling him down now.
He still behaved improperly, sir.
Yes, but if we continue to pursue him, we'll appear vindictive.
If we don't, we'll appear foolish.
Then, find a way to move forward, so that if it goes all pear-shaped again, only you look foolish, Mr James.
Boys.
Sir John.
Sir John! I trust, my lord, you are fully recovered.
I am, Mr Mason Allen.
Thank you.
Let's put this into perspective.
The police face far worse attacks every day.
Doctors and nurses increasingly are attacked by patients.
Teachers, likely as not, are attacked by students or parents.
On the rare occasion that it happens to a judge, he receives an inordinate amount of attention.
Well, with your leave, my lord, I'd like to call Dylan Broadbent, who looks after Edward Hay's accounts at the bank.
If you look at the bank statement for Mr Hay's client account, item 16A in your bundle, my lord, you'll see two separate sums of £10,OOO withdrawn on the 10th and 19th of May, four days before the death of Julian Hay, and five days afterwards.
- Can you tell us who withdrew this money? - Yes.
Edward Hay.
How was this money withdrawn? He asked for cash, in small notes.
Thank you.
Ed Hay made large cash withdrawals on a regular basis, did he not? - I don't remember.
- Well, let me remind you.
If you look at the statements for the 5th of April, the 29th of May and the 30th of July, the sums of five, four and £10,OOO, were withdrawn respectively.
- Is that so? - Yes.
- Did you know Edward Hay personally? - We were quite friendly.
I believe you went horse racing on several occasions.
Yes.
Did he win or lose on those occasions? He lost £7,OOO on one race.
How did you get on? - I don't remember.
- Oh, really? Isn't it true you lost rather heavily? I I may have lost.
Isn't it true that you're a frequent gambler, a frequent loser? Not really.
Do you have an account at Stokes and Middleborough Bookmakers? Yes.
Is that a copy of your account statement? - Are you submitting this, Mr Machin? - I will be, my lord.
- Is that your account statement? - Yes.
Just prior to Ed Hay's arrest, was there a disastrous hole in your personal finances as a result of gambling? One which you asked Mr Hay to plug in case the bank found out, yes? It's got nothing to do with the bank.
Did you not borrow £8,OOO from Ed Hay's client account, money which he gave you in cash, and was later waiting for you to pay back? Yes, I think the jury are ahead of us on this, Mr Broadbent.
Someone is trying to get to you through Jo, suggesting impropriety by her in Dorothy Lomax's affairs.
There was none.
What do you think about Giles Rowley.
That smells like trouble.
He's had two drugs convictions.
I don't have a relationship with him.
You do, inadvertently, through Tim Ball.
Giving him his judicial review over his lap-dancing bar licence could rebound on you.
- It bore no relation to anything.
- That isn't how it will look.
At best, it could be seen as bad judgement, John.
I'll ask again, when exactly did the judge start his affair with Mrs Mills? When and how often did she stay the night? I don't know.
Don't involve me.
Mrs Cooper, look at me.
The note on our record will state how you helped Mr Justice Deed cover up his improper behaviour.
- And if it's not true, sir? - You know it's true, Mrs Cooper, just as you know there will be grave consequences for you if you help him cover this.
Can you tell us about your relationship with the three defendants? Ed and Wilf and Dari were always so kind to us.
They couldn't do enough for their father and me.
They loved us so much, especially their father.
Mrs Hay, just Just think about that, hmm? Did you not say in your statement that your children hated their father, and you for not leaving him? Uh, my lord, my learned friend is leading and cross-examining his own witness.
Well, no.
I didn't say that.
My apologies.
- I didn't say that! - Yes, you Mrs Hay, is this a lapse of memory? Hmm? They loved us so much.
Their father's death was almost too much for them to bear.
Are you quite sure about that, Mrs Hay, hmm? Quite, quite sure? Mr Mason Allen, are you seeking to cross-examine your own witness? My lord, the witness seems confused.
Would you like a short adjournment to establish whose witness she is? That would be preferable to treating her as hostile, my lord.
Very well, until after lunch.
Your mother was potentially their most damaging witness.
With her evidence collapsing, it would be a mistake to go into the witness box.
The state my mother's in, I want to crush that liar Helyer.
Ed, everyone saw what he was.
I'd like to say something under oath, Ed.
No, Dari, I'll say all that needs saying.
I wouldn't advise you to give evidence.
I'd like to speak to Mummy.
We haven't seen her since we were arrested.
You can't at this point.
She is still a prosecution witness.
I want to tell her how sorry I am.
We're all sorry for the way she's been made to suffer as a result of our ordeal.
Prosecution has failed to make a case.
Let the failure stand.
In view of the deteriorating health of my final witness, my lord, that concludes the case for the prosecution.
Thank you, Mr Mason Allen.
Mr Machin, am I going to hear from you? Yes, my lord.
There is a matter of law I should like to raise.
All right.
Jury, go out.
I submit there is no case to answer.
Kevin Helyer, the main prosecution witness, could never be relied upon by a jury.
The mother, Mary Hay's evidence, didn't come up to proof.
And there is, of course, no discernible motive on the part of Ed Hay, nor his siblings.
I adopt my learned friend's submission.
Likewise.
I need not trouble you, Mr Mason Allen.
I see the force of your argument about lack of clear motive, but I think you know it's not a runner.
There is direct evidence implicating the defendants.
It is a matter for the jury.
Summon them back in.
I do not intend to call any witnesses.
- Not even your client? - No, my lord.
Ms Kneal, Mr Bushnell, do either of your clients wish to give evidence? No.
Mr Hay, I know your intentions.
I am trying to ascertain those of your brother and sister.
- They don't have to say anything.
- You must let them speak if they so wish.
- She's not well.
- I am.
I want to give evidence.
- You don't.
Darina, you're not well.
- Mr Hay.
You know better than to interfere with a defendant's right to speak.
If you continue, you will be removed.
Does your client wish to give evidence, Mr Bushnell? No, my lord.
Would she prefer to speak without her brothers being present? - It seems not, my lord.
- I see.
Ms Kneal? My client doesn't wish to give evidence.
- They have all been advised of the implications? - They have.
Very well, then are you ready to address the jury, Mr Mason Allen? I am, my lord.
No.
I think the morning will be more convenient.
All rise.
Judge.
Oh, hello.
What's going on there? Is he giving him something? Yeah, he's taking it.
That's interesting.
Why didn't you telephone? Would've been sensible, under the circumstances.
- Well, I don't understand.
- Don't you? I'm trying to work out exactly what it is that makes me want to believe you in spite of evidence to the contrary.
John, you're frightening me.
- What was Tim Ball doing here? - He wasn't.
He just gave me his card, and an invitation to the opening of a new club.
- Well, he couldn't have.
- Do you think I'm completely stupid? Giles brought him.
They made me sign some documents.
What documents? Share transfers, I think.
I didn't get a proper look.
Ball threatened me.
- We'll go to the police.
- No! No, please don't.
I'm scared! Come here.
Giles started stealing from me some time ago, small things at first, and then property.
Francesca begged me not to prosecute.
She said that the drug people who Giles was involved with would kill him.
I had some affection for them both once.
Giles helped me hide some of my lapses.
It's terribly alarming when such an iron grip starts to slip, John.
Perhaps I should just give up.
Do you know what property was involved and what was stolen? Oh, yes.
Every single bit.
Ooh, your troubles with the LCD will pale into insignificance if this becomes public.
Francesca involved in stealing the old woman's property? No, of course not.
Are you arguing that as a lawyer, or a lover? Do you think I'm that bad a judge of character? - Have you questioned her about this? - No, why would I? Why not? You're good at going after the truth.
She'd deny it, and I'd probably believe her.
Oh, John, how can I save you from your foolishness? You know how.
I am not convinced you would change.
What about Francesca? Can you get somebody in chambers to check on those property deals? Row Colemore would do it for free.
What emotions do to our lives.
You struggle to live in the intellect, where everything is circumscribed by reason, and all the time emotions drag you down into an undertow, and you can't get free.
We wouldn't be human without them.
Did you hear from Charlie? No.
I was thinking about the case I'm hearing.
Three adult children possibly conspired to kill their parents and succeeded with one.
And I don't think the prosecution has convinced the jury, so in all probability, they'll walk.
And looking at the children, I can well believe that the father was a monster, but did he deserve to die? I think she's with her mother and Neil Haughton.
Have you got a list of properties Giles is supposed to have sold? I really appreciate this, Jo.
I should be with Aunt Dottie, getting my head examined.
This looks almost official, Row.
Coop, give us one minute, will you? How involved are you with Francesca Rochester? She's an attractive woman, Row.
Is it more than physical, John? I had a call from an assistant chief constable down here.
I had asked him to have his men watch Giles Rowley.
One of his detectives has been passing sensitive information to Laurence James about your visits to Francesca's apartment.
Go on.
The property and shares you asked about, owned by Dorothy Lomax, have been transferred by Francesca, under her power of attorney, to Tim Ball.
He and Giles are threatening her.
It gets worse.
You're implicated.
Sir.
You'll have seen this.
Proofs of a four-page profile The Sunday Times supplement is running on Deed.
They're making him into a national hero.
He had an affair with a barrister before him, sir.
I don't care, perversely.
Deed is becoming exactly what the Lord Chancellor wants in his judges.
Can we be seen to back down, sir? I won't have the department made to appear foolish! There is something else, Sir Ian.
Sussex police have been investigating the transference of property belonging to Dorothy Lomax, by Lady Rochester.
The main recipient is a suspected drug dealer and night club owner, Tim Ball.
Yes.
Lady Rochester has transferred money to an offshore bank account held by Deed.
I can't believe it.
As much as I despise Deed, I don't believe him venal.
You all right, Judge? Would you ask counsel to see me here before we start, please? I'll get them, Judge.
Mr Mason Allen, His Lordship would like to see you in chambers.
Ms Kneal, Mr Bushnell, Mr Machin, His Lordship would like to see you in chambers now.
- What is it, Heathcote? - The judge wants to see us.
No, I won't allow it.
You mustn't speak to him out of my hearing.
Then I'll address them all, without the jury.
Before we begin the closing speeches, do either of you wish to take this last opportunity to address the court? Darina? Wilfred? I'm sorry, Mummy! We didn't mean to hurt you or Daddy.
Ed said he would scare Daddy and pay him back for all the beastly things he did to us.
We just meant to scare him.
We didn't know Ed had paid Mr Helyer to kill Daddy! She's not well, Darina! She's not Mr Hay, shut up and sit down.
Darina, did you meet with Mr Helyer, the man who killed you father? Yes.
He came to our house - when Mummy and Daddy were out at bridge.
- Shut up! Shut up.
Damn it, you stupid, stupid girl! Mr Hay, I will not warn you again.
You must not bully your sister.
Did you discuss killing your father with Mr Helyer? No.
He said he would tie him up and put him in a cold bath.
We wanted to punish Daddy for all the horrid things he did to us.
Wilfred, is this true? Yes.
Helyer said that he would tie him loosely so that Mummy could untie him.
We often wished Daddy dead after he'd humiliated us for the millionth time.
We didn't mean it! We didn't! - Will they plead guilty, Jo? - It's all they can do.
I expect the judge will come down hard on Ed Hay, and give the other two a slap on the wrist.
Could those parents really be as bad as the children made out? Makes my complaints about Dad seem so stupid and futile.
Everything's relative, Charlie.
I just wanted to make an important decision by myself.
I know.
I had a termination once.
I still dream about that baby.
Sometimes I wake up seeing him.
He'd be 14 now, and you would have a half-brother.
Did Dad know? He drove me to the clinic.
So, why didn't he say? My husband was terminally ill, had been for some time.
I think John regretted it as much as I do.
Justice Deed's chambers.
One moment, please.
Lady Rochester.
He's in court, Lady Rochester.
Thanks, Coop.
Oh, Charlie's outside, Judge.
Good, bring her through, will you? No.
I'll get her myself.
Oh, John! John.
More bad news, Michael? I just had a word with Ian Rochester.
It seems that they've dug up a matter of criminal substance.
Your acquisition of property from Dorothy Lomax? Yes, I'm looking forward to seeing the evidence.
Well, he's asked for a free and frank discussion in his office.
As presider, he's asked me to be there.
Good, then I won't need defence counsel.
How are you? Um I've been, um Jo told me.
About you and her.
Why didn't you say? Not my finest hour.
Yeah, I know.
Wasn't mine, either.
When Jo told me about her decision, I was so relieved.
I've regretted it ever since.
John.
Why didn't you return my calls? - I've been busy.
- We have to talk, urgently.
You have to help me, John.
I don't think I can.
How's Aunt Dottie? There's a criminal investigation.
Do you know about it? I'm sure you can blame everything on Giles.
She got terribly upset during her niece's visit.
Oh! You've got to get me out of here.
- Well, who would look after you? - Well, if I stay here, I lose everything.
- Everything is taken care of.
- No.
No.
No.
It's Francesca.
Francesca's just had me sign some documents saying I'm transferring to her all the property.
No, no, no.
You can't do that under the section order.
Oh, she predated it before my section.
If you understood that, why did you sign? She said I'd die in here if I didn't.
You're not gonna die in here, Dorothy.
I won't let you.
I cling to her word, hoping she will keep it, and she doesn't.
She's incapable of doing so.
She can't leave, Sir John.
She's sectioned.
I see people in Tesco's madder than she is.
The only way she can be released is on the recommendation of the Mental Health Review Board.
- They don't sit for another two weeks.
- Well, that's too late.
I'll issue a writ of habeas corpus.
Jo, it's John.
Are you in the mood to do me yet another favour? I doubt it, especially since you got me out of the bath.
- Could I come and join you? - Hmm! Was that the favour? I've just seen Dorothy Lomax.
I want you to bust her loose.
Oh, yes? And how might I go about that? Get her before a district judge, Carmen for preference.
There is a precedent for ending sections.
Longman and the Derbyshire Health Authority.
And what will you do if I succeed? Get all her property back from those thieves and parasites.
John, I'm on my way.
Row, it's John.
Do what you have to do.
My lord, we were due to start at 10:OO.
My lords, it is now 10 past.
Yes, Mr James.
We're waiting for Sir John's representative to arrive.
That person might have shown the court the courtesy of being here promptly.
This isn't a court, Mr James, nor does it have jurisdiction as such.
It is an informal review, my lord, it ought to be shown respect.
And on its conclusion what authority does it have to deliver sanctions? - Hello.
- John, it's Row.
- This is most discourteous.
- What are you going to do, impeach me? Yes, Row.
Sussex police have just arrested Francesca Rochester and Giles Rowley.
Do they have enough evidence? Oh, yeah.
The pair of them have been fleecing the old woman's company systematically, with the help of their solicitor.
- He can't stop talking.
- I'll tell Sir Ian.
What about Tim Ball? At the old lady's house, auditioning lap dancers.
How's it there? Ooh, no less exciting.
- Come in.
I'll tell you at lunch.
- I believe you know your wife's aunt.
- Sir John, this is not open to the general public.
Oh, don't be idiotic, Ian.
Is there a reason why it should be in secret? The reason is to protect your good name.
Oh, I think it might be to protect you and the Lord Chancellor.
I'm gonna make a brief statement about the facts on the indictment.
- Hardly an indictment.
- Oh, I thought it a matter of criminal substance? After my statement, I'm going to ask this lady to speak for me as a character witness.
Now, this procedure was started because of my alleged affair with Dr Helena Bellew, after I had directed a jury to acquit her of murder.
Then, allegedly, with Mrs Mills, these ploys failed to run, so you switched the accusations to the improper acquisition of property from this lady.
I did no such thing.
My serious error of judgement was in assisting your wife to have this lady sectioned in the first place.
But that's not really why we're here, is it? - It's precisely why we're here, Sir John.
- Then where is your evidence? The funds you hold as an offshore account, paid to you by circuitous means by one Timothy Ball.
This is absolute nonsense.
Well, perhaps you would tell us, Sir John, how the proceeds of property belonging to Lomax Publishing came recently into your account? I suspect it was transferred there by Francesca Rochester, Giles Rowley and their solicitor in order to implicate Tim Ball, or to compromise me.
Why she would do that, I haven't the faintest idea.
They've been illegally transferring property out of my holding company for years.
You know, Dorothy, everything was done for your benefit.
Nothing illegal has occurred.
Look, I don't think we need hear this, Michael.
Perhaps we should, as it's informal.
With one or two lapses, I've been running my publishing company quite successfully for 40 years, until my incarceration.
And while I was locked up, a number of my properties were transferred to a trust, and sold, not to my benefit.
Others have been filched in exactly the same way.
They all thought I was potty and imagining it.
My niece and her boyfriend Giles bear most of the responsibility, and so do you, Ian.
This is monstrous.
You have known for a long while that Francesca's lifestyle and expenditure was way in excess of your income.
And yet, you chose to turn a blind eye.
Nothing illegal has occurred.
- Did you put her up to this? - I wish I had.
I won't sit and listen to these lies.
You must let her continue, Ian.
And having realised his mistake, Mr Justice Deed had the courage to put things right immediately.
He started a police investigation.
He wasn't concerned about the cost to him personally.
And nothing you try to do can diminish him.
The police have the evidence, and all the property will be recovered.
- I don't know what you're talking about.
I hope for your sake that you don't.
- Try calling your wife, she'll fill you in.
- I will.
Michael If there's to be a police investigation, Ian, it would be better to close this informal hearing now.
Jo's told me all about you, John.
- Has she? - Mmm.
She needed information for your defence.
Would, um Would you like to come and stay at my place? Let's find out if you've still got a place first, shall we? Oh, it doesn't matter.
No one's gonna mind if I move into your digs.
Give me a new lease.
Jo.
Jo!