01x04 - Unsafe

[bunniefuu]

the police, who investigate crime, and the crown prosecutors, who prosecute the offenders.

These are their stories.

An hour, maybe two.

it's not a lot to ask.

Hm? Well, the longer we argue about it the longer I'll be.

Our geezer who dug it up got quite a shock.

He's drinking tea with four sugars while Uniform get his statement.

Did you ever have a metal detector? I had a pogo stick.

The metal detector kids were the nerds.

I always fancied one, but the first Mrs Brooks said I had enough crap, without going looking for it.

What you got, Joy? A male corpse, face down, wrapped in the remnants of a sheet.

Decomposition's pretty much complete.

It's mostly a skeleton - some remains of clothing and footwear.

Oh, and a Swiss watch - still ticking.

It must be what set the detector off.

How long's he been here, Joy? Roughly, under 10 years, over two.

Any other clues as to his ID? No.

Even his mouth's empty.

Shattered round the sockets, like his teeth were smashed out.

So, we got no chance of finding out who it is.

No sign here.

The k*ller knew what they were doing.

So, how WAS he k*lled? Single b*llet to the skull - entry wound just above the cervical vertebrae.

There's the b*llet.

Right, one sh*t, back of the head, very professional.

Well, it's not a crime of passion.

It's an assassination.

A Colt .

45 cartridge, that's a single.

There are no links to any other sh**t.

The cartridge probably came from a Smith and Wesson g*n, but we are running checks for matches, or anything.

What about the body? Any joy getting a name? We ran it through Missing Persons, cross-matched height, age, sex, factoring in the clothes he was wearing - missing the best part of a decade.

Right, nail his ID.

Your best lead is this watch.

It's a classy little timepiece, that.

Get it to a watchmaker.

See what secrets it yields.

Ah, this brand, they all have a code - two letters and two digits.

Now, the letters give you the month.

The digits give you the year.

Now, this was manufactured in June, 1978 - That's very good, sir, but we was hoping you could tell us who the owner of the timepiece was.

Patience, patience.

You know what happens when everything is a rush? No.

People accept sh*t.

You take this to the manufacturer.

They have a register of the owners.

Hm, there's nothing on the system.

D'you know what? I bet it's in the paper files.

I'm sorry, but the person who did this job before me wasn't very good.

Just bear with me.

What a lovely environment to work in (!) They've run out of space in the office next door, so, erthey've stuck me in here.

I don't mind.

It's my first job out of uni.

What happens when it gets cold? I wear gloves.

Ah, yes! Here it is.

Your watch is registered to David Ackroyd.

The post-mortem boys thought you might like this.

They pulled it out of your male anon's leg.

What is it? It's a pin from his knee.

Must have held him together.

And there is exactly one man on the missing persons list with exactly the same injury - Let me guess.

David Ackroyd.

Pin in his knee from a car accident, went missing Christmas Eve, 1999.

Ackroyd's k*ller is already in prison.

What? Luke Slade, tried and convicted of Ackroyd's m*rder in the absence of a body.

James Steel ran the case.

David Ackroyd is survived by a daughter.

I was 14 when Dad disappeared.

Even when they accused Slade of his m*rder, I never believed it.

II always thought, with no body, there was still a chance.

And what about your mum? Erm, she d*ed last year.

It was cancer.

Ever since Dad went, she was broken.

I got the house and the car.

Now here I am, rattling around by myself in my parents' house.

I don't want any of it.

I I just want them.

Must be tough.

Yeah Anniversaries and birthdays, they're the worst.

Erm, you know the barrister at the CPS, James? Yeah, James Steel.

Yeah.

Every year, on the anniversary, he sends a card.

Just seeing how I'm doing.

So, was Dad's body where they said, under a building site? Er, no.

Your father was found just across the water from Canary Wharf.

But how could his body be there? II don't understand.

That doesn't make any sense.

She's right.

If that IS Ackroyd's body, a big hole just opened up in this case.

James Steel got a conviction without a body.

The case hinged on evidence given by an accomplice, Richie Newman.

He said he and Slade buried Ackroyd on a building site in Chelsea.

Then, how come he gets found seven miles away? What's in the files on the w*apon? If the b*llet in Ackroyd's skull matches the w*apon that Slade used, it's still workable.

No.

No, cos according to Richie Newman, Slade cut Ackroyd's throat with a Kn*fe.

The w*apon was never found.

You pull ONE thread, and the whole thing comes unravelled.

Find Richie Newman.

He's the key.

You don't reckon CPS got it wrong, do you? Well, don't get ahead of yourself, mate.

Hindsight makes things look very simple.

If I knew nine years ago what I know now Yeah? What? I'd still be too stupid to do anything about it.

Thank you, Confucius.

Thank you.

Richie Newman? Who wants to know? The ghosts of Christmas past.

Seriously, we we buried him in Chelsea.

Then, why couldn't you lead the police to the spot at the time? It was the middle of the night.

Richie, you also said that Slade cut Ackroyd's throat.

So? He d*ed of a b*llet to the head.

That's not what Slade told me.

Are you sure about that, Richie? Because even after all this time, the CPS could still charge you.

Especially if they find out you lied.

I'm telling the truth.

I wasn't there when Slade k*lled him.

By the time I got there, the body was wrapped up in a sheet.

I am telling you what Slade told me.

You've got to believe me! Slade did it! You've got to make sure he stays inside.

If he gets out I'll be a dead man.

Promise me that ain't gonna happen.

Newman's bricking it at the thought of Slade getting out.

Well, maybe because he lied.

No.

I've been through those files a hundred times.

Slade embezzles.

Ackroyd finds out and don't like it, then vanishes.

Everything points to Slade being the k*ller.

Either way, your man Newman's not exactly a five-star witness.

Well No, no.

Thanks for letting us know, anyway.

Bye.

The dominoes are toppling, I'm afraid.

The Review Commission has referred Luke Slade's case back to the Court of Appeal - potential miscarriage of justice.

He could go free.

Hey, you didn't have to bring these over yourselves.

Well, listen.

We've both been through the files, read the statements and er - Slade did it.

Evidence is too strong.

Just cos he's got an appeal, it doesn't mean he's innocent.

Does it, James? Don't let him wriggle out of it.

I'll do my best.

I promise.

If you need anything you just call us, yeah? James Steel, Senior Crown Prosecutor for London.

How are you? Thank you, Jared.

We haven't met - my loss.

Luke Slade.

ErAlesha Phillips.

What are you doing out here? I discovered in prison that I really like smoking.

Something to thank YOU for, unless I get cancer.

Then I'd have to sue you.

Where's your barrister? I'm representing myself.

At the Court of Appeal? I spent the last eight years with time on my hands.

So, I studied the law.

How's your wife? What are you, separated or divorced? This is a m*rder case.

You should have a barrister.

The judge can delay the case while you find someone.

Honestly, I'm fine.

Thank you, though.

Oh, now we go.

Come on, Jared.

Shall we? I thank my lords for allowing me to represent myself.

As set out in my skeletal argument, my appeal is brought as new evidence has cast doubt on significant aspects of the Crown's original case.

You're referring to the discovery of Mr Ackroyd's body? Exactly that, my lord.

And in support, I am relying upon the authority of Crown and Anderson, 2005.

At 98, Criminal Appeal Reports, my lords, page 207.

Which I'm sure you all know.

In that case, both convictions were quashed when the Crown's main witness was found to have given false evidence.

Is it your submission that the Crown relied on evidence they knew to be false? Not knowingly, my lord.

But the discovery of Mr Ackroyd's body has established that neither the cause of death nor the place of burial, as advanced in the original case, were correct.

I further rely upon Mitchell and Her Majesty's Advocate, 1996 - One, Scottish Law Review, page 982 - in which it was found on appeal that, quote, "Significant evidence, unavailable at the original trial, would have had a material bearing on the jury's determination.

" Thank you, Mr Slade.

You've clearly researched your territory well.

Thank you, my lord.

"David was an adored husband and dad.

" "Luke Slade defrauded him out of millions, and then m*rder*d him.

" "Even now he's been convicted of David's m*rder, he refuses to tell us where David's body can be found.

" "This trial has been a burden" You need sleep.

".

.

on myself and my daughter.

" "I would like to record my overwhelming gratitude to the Crown Prosecution Service, particularly James Steel -" Oh, my God! Is that YOU? Yep.

No telling me how much younger I look.

Are you sure you're all right with it all? This was my first case.

Er, when I came to the CPS.

It was my first prosecution.

(SIGHS) Look at me.

God, I look so certain of everything.

What if I was wrong, Alesha? What if the real m*rder*r's still out there? James Slade is guilty.

Everyone who's read the file agrees.

It's late.

You need to rest.

Soon.

I refer my lords to the authority of Crown and Ramos, 2002, in which it was found accumulative weight of the original case outweighed doubts about a single component.

The issue is whether the Crown's case relied on perjured evidence.

Mr Newman did not lie.

He reported what Mr Slade told him about the cause of death.

If this were to render the conviction unsafe it would reward Mr Slade for lying to Mr Newman.

But Mr Newman was also wrong about the burial site, which casts doubt on his credibility as a witness.

My lord, Mr Newman was present at the original burial.

The Crown now argues that Mr Ackroyd's corpse must have been moved shortly after its initial burial.

For what purpose? Because Mr Slade feared that Mr Newman might confess what they had done together.

Therefore, the Crown now argues that rather than undermine Mr Newman's credibility, this new discovery casts further doubt on the defendant's character.

That's your theory, Mr Steel.

Do you have any evidence to support it? Not at this stage, my lord.

So, this is precisely the issue that a retrial might explore.

They've agreed with Slade.

His conviction's been overturned.

They've granted him bail.

They can't do that.

I'm sorry, James.

It's fine.

I'm fine.

Today's not about me.

Today is about David Ackroyd.

I loved David.

He was like an older brother to me.

Like everyone else, I was heartbroken by his death.

Because of mistakes made by the Crown Prosecution Service, David's m*rder*r is still walking free somewhere.

I look forward to proving my innocence at my retrial.

Thank you.

PRESS CLAMOUR REPORTER: Mr Steel, are you gonna resign? I forgive you, Mr Steel.

Do you think they're together now, Mum and Dad? I mean, do you believe in that, God and the afterlife? I need evidence.

You sound like Dad.

I let you down at the appeal.

Oh, my God.

What are YOU doing here? It's the first thing I had to do.

Pay my respects.

LouiseI know this is difficult.

But I wanted to say this to you.

Your dad was a great man.

I will make it my life's work to find his k*ller.

And to bring them to justice - Get away from her! Too many people have failed you.

I won't be one of them.

I mean it.

I will make things right for you.

Are you OK? Don't touch me! How is that allowed to happen? He k*lled my dad and he can just stand there and say that to me? I'm so sorry - Sorry's not enough! He's right - you failed me.

You failed my dad! We have to prove the case all over again.

And this case must not fail, understand? We need ALL the original signed statements.

Look again at the forensic analysis.

Techniques have moved on.

You want us to track down witnesses? You read my mind.

That's nine years.

They could be anywhere by now.

We're relying on you.

I'm not having Louise watch Slade go free.

Slade was one of them venture capitalists.

I've never quite worked out what they do.

So, Slade and Ackroyd, they were involved in this, what, late-'90s dot-com boom? That was their game, investing in internet start-ups, hoping one would be successful and they'd make a shed-load.

So, what went wrong? What ALWAYS goes wrong in deals like that - greed.

Er, you and Luke Slade were an item after university.

I'm nobody's "item," Detective.

No.

Of course not, sorry.

Erm, you had a relationship.

On and off.

I got sick of always being second on Luke's to-do list.

Did you ever stay in touch with David Ackroyd? No.

Thank you.

I wish I had.

I never realised, but David was the real catch.

I always thought Luke was the one worth paying attention to, but David was the better man.

His only weakness was he thought Luke was gonna make him rich.

Well, we all thought that.

Hello? OK, we've got two witnesses living abroad, one dead, and a couple who hardly remember the details of their story.

If someone asked me what I was up to nine years ago, I'm not sure I would have the full picture.

Come on, boys.

We've gotta do better.

Yes! How's this for better? Slade's girlfriend made a statement to the original investigation about her car, which Slade used to borrow.

Slade sold it for her a couple of days after Ackroyd's disappearance.

The original investigation never managed to trace it, but I have.

Slade could have used it to move the body.

Maybe if we get it forensicated - BOTH: "Forensicate" isn't a word! You'll like this.

It's all about the dirt.

Now, first off, particles of dirt we found on David Ackroyd's remains match the pedological profile of the Chelsea area.

"Pedological?" Soil.

So, Newman was telling the truth - they DID bury Ackroyd in Chelsea? Exactly.

What, so, the soil's not the same at Canary Wharf? Well, it's similar, but not identical.

Chelsea is predominantly brick earth.

Out east, you've got sand and gravel.

You see, now, the girlfriend's car - Huh! - an amazing assortment of specimens in that vehicle.

You've got sand from two beaches, probably in Norfolk.

Er, traces of assorted human detritus, mostly exfoliated skin and the parasites that feed on it.

Stuff you might find in your mattress.

Not in MY mattress.

My point being, fibre traces found in the boot match the sheet in which David Ackroyd's body was found.

Mixed in with both body and sheet, particles of Chelsea soil.

OK, so, Ackroyd buried in Chelsea, dug up again, and moved across town in a car.

In a car that Slade had access to.

Well done, Teddy.

Appeals are one thing, but a full m*rder trial is quite another.

I don't want you going easy on him.

George, I HAVE done this before.

I'll treat him with respect, and I shan't patronise him.

I don't want the jury feeling sympathetic cos he's inexperienced.

You're not as daft as you look.

But don't let him rattle you.

You got it right in the first trial.

You'll get it right now.

George, please, if you start being nice to me, I won't be able to concentrate.

Richie Newman's disappeared.

How can he have? No-one's seen him for three days.

The last charge on his credit card was a one-way ticket to Thailand.

Oh, beautiful (!) We've lost our main witness, and the trial starts in, what My lord, I ask for further time before we swear the jury.

We're having difficulty locating the first witness.

If the court could grant an adjournment of, say, two days We keep to our dates in this court, Mr Steel.

If one of your witnesses is unavailable you will have to make a hearsay application to READ his evidence instead.

Sorry, my lord, but my retrial was based on new evidence, which contradicts Mr Newman's statement.

The jury should be allowed to make that judgement for themselves.

Well, if I can't cross-examine Mr Newman, how can I att*ck his credibility? Mr Slade is right.

Mr Steel, your applications both for adjournment and hearsay are refused.

Unless you produce him, we shan't hear from your witness.

Where the hell is he? How can a man just disappear? Newman's off radar.

Uniform's searching known whereabouts.

We've notified ports, airports - the full shebang.

There is no sign.

Look harder.

You heard Ronnie.

We've got people on it.

We need more prosecution-friendly witnesses from Slade's past.

You thought about his cellmate? Did you enjoy sharing a cell with Luke, Danny? Sladey's got you lot on the run, hasn't he? What about other friends in the prison, did he have any? You're joking, aren't ya? They used to call him "the monk.

" He just sat there, day in, day out, reading his legal books.

When he did start to talk, did he ever speak about David Ackroyd's m*rder? Well, he opened up after a while.

You see, my problem is my memory.

It's like a muscle.

And in here it gets terrible flabby.

Yous boys wouldn't have a cure for something like that, would ya? Well, maybe a move to a classier nick, Dan.

What about that? Possible early release.

You see, you're talking like that, and the auld memories flood back.

When David found out Luke had embezzled that much money he went ballistic - left messages, came round to the house.

How did Mr Slade say he was going to fix the problem? When I asked, he just smiled.

Luke could be cold.

And cruel.

He loved to play games with people.

Loved to mess with people's heads.

Then I found his diary.

He left it open on the table when he was staying at mine.

Is this the diary? Yes.

Could you please read it for the benefit of the court? "07:00am, breakfast with Tony.

" "01:00pm, lunch with Katy McCormack at Zilli's.

" "09:00pm, k*ll David.

" No further questions.

Elena Sweetheart Mr Slade.

I'm sorry, my lord.

If I was so cold and cruel, why were you so upset when our relationship ended? I'm sorry - Didn't you send me hundreds of abusive emails? My lord, where is this going? I'm exploring Miss Adani's motives for lying.

Explore them QUICKLY, Mr Slade.

January 23rd, "I'll make you suffer, you sh*t.

" February 4th, "I hope one day you experience pain like the pain I'm going through.

" This has nothing to do with David! Offered as exhibits to the court.

Is this your revenge, Elena? Is this how you want to make me suffer? Luke said that after he did it he got really nervous, cos he was worried that Newman might squeal if he was put under any pressure.

So, he moved the body out to the East End, near the river.

Then, if Newman did say anything, it wouldn't matter.

Oh, Danny.

Danny Boy! Mr Slade.

Questions, not songs.

Of course, my lord.

Sorry.

When we shared a cell together, did you ever give evidence in a court case? Yeah.

Yeah, I did.

I turned QE.

Why? I thought I'd get a transfer.

And is it true you were found to have given false evidence - lied, essentially - and were later convicted of perjury? What can I say, Sladey? You got me there.

Remind me, who's the qualified barrister and who's the novice? Doyle's perjury charge was never logged on the PNC system.

I'm not losing this trial over some administrative balls-up! Your witnesses are an aggrieved ex-lover and a convicted perjurer! Slade's running rings around you.

Thanks for your support (!) When they find Slade innocent, I'll offer him your job.

You do that! Both of you, stop! It was one bad day.

We keep going.

Together, yes? The last time I saw David Ackroyd .

.

he was very drunk very very much alive .

.

and heading to Mexico for a holiday.

I have no further questions for myself.

Have you ever put a note in your diary to k*ll anyone other than David Ackroyd? It was a joke.

I was annoyed.

If I was really gonna k*ll him, why would I write it down? If you didn't k*ll David Ackroyd, how do you explain the Chelsea dirt in the back of the car you used? I was buying a new build-flat in Chelsea.

The developer took me round the site.

I changed my shoes after the visit.

Except the exact same dirt was found on the remains of Mr Ackroyd's body.

Fibres from the sheet in which Mr Ackroyd's body was wrapped were also found in the back of that car.

Fibres from mass-produced cotton sheets sold in Debenhams - Elena had a set, didn't you, darling? And with all due respect, Mr Steel, that kind of dirt must be present in most of south-west London.

If geology and Debenhams are your best arguments I think you may be floundering.

Luke Slade wants you to think he was the victim of a miscarriage of justice.

The only victim in this case is David Ackroyd.

Don't fall for Luke Slade's lies.

Keep to the evidence, and find Luke Slade guilty of David Ackroyd's m*rder.

First, they convicted me of cutting David Ackroyd's throat.

He was k*lled by a b*llet in the head.

Then they claimed I'd buried him in Chelsea.

He was found by Canary Wharf.

And what do they offer as proof? Perjured evidence from a proven liar.

People assume that if you're charged with a crime, you MUST be guilty.

Assumptions like that took my life away.

Please, let me live what's left of it.

Good luck.

Have you reached a verdict upon which you are all agreed? Yes.

On the count of the m*rder of David Ackroyd, do you find the defendant guilty or not guilty? Not guilty.

I've left Louise Ackroyd five messages.

She's avoiding my calls.

She had faith in me, George.

I still do.

Always willwhatever happens.

What does THAT mean? Luke Slade has lodged a formal complaint against you, alleging a vendetta.

He's arguing that it amounts to gross misconduct.

He wants you out of the CPS.

This letter gives you one week's notification of your hearing date for gross misconduct.

Tell him the rest.

You're entitled to bring a friend or representative, who can address the hearing and put your case.

ErI'll be speaking for myself.

You play by the rules, James - a hearing carried out to the letter, so that when it is dismissed as bollocks he has no room to appeal.

I'm sorry - pressure from above.

I've got no choice.

You should stay home, pending the hearing.

Slade WON'T win, James.

He's done a good job so far.

I'll see you when you get back.

Don't you mean "if?" Do you need a hand with that? Are you following me? Do you know what I admire about you, James? You won't ask me to retract the complaint.

Must be so difficult, having your own system turn on you.

But don't worry.

I can look after Louise.

If you go near her again, I'll will come for you - What's that? A thr*at? You've lost all sense of what's right.

You're an obsessive.

Let it go, James.

What were his last words? This man that you loved SO much.

Did he beg you for mercy? Or didn't he even know it was you who sh*t him from behind? How many bodies must be buried in London? This city was built on corpses.

Why does this one matter so much to you? They ALL MATTER! You really mean that.

God! How do you manage? Living with that conscience, does it keep you awake? I mean literally.

Does it? No more than yours must.

We're not the same.

You're an obsessed, discredited man, out on his own, while I'm rehabilitated into society.

For a while, you were the only person who got the better of me.

I couldn't let that stand.

This isn't finished! You think my complaint won't stick? I'm not a beginner.

Goodbye, James.

You shouldn't be talking to him.

I didn't have a choice.

He was justsuddenly there.

It doesn't matter.

You must not be seen with him.

None of this would've happened if Newman hadn't disappeared.

Why can't they find him? There's no charges on his card since the day he vanished.

No cash withdrawals - here OR in Thailand.

Slade must have had something to do with his disappearance.

He wouldn't be so stupid as to do anything himself.

What? Nine years in prison.

He'd know plenty of people who could.

What if we dig out Slade's prison record? See if there's anything interesting on it.

When you say "we" I mean "we.

" If George hears I let you in, he'll go mental.

Just visiting a friend.

OK.

So, Slade's prison file is mostly a record of his parole hearings - all denied.

Ah.

Wait.

It says here that Slade was involved in a complaint against a prison officer.

What do you mean, involved? Well, he filed the complaint, but on behalf of another prisoner.

He said to me in the street that he wasn't a beginner at this, that he'd filed complaints before.

Who was it for? Danny Doyle.

Slade's been ahead of us the whole time.

Then, maybe our luck just turned.

Thank you.

What are friends for? Ahem.

God save me from gala performances with the home secretary.

George, before you say anything - I'm still at the Royal Opera House.

Switch the lights off when you leave.

Should you be here? I'm just a prison visitor, Danny.

Seeing an old friend.

He's getting to you, isn't he? He does that.

You know what gets to me more? The thought of someone helping a m*rder*r go free.

Now, look.

C'mon - You knew Slade was aware you'd been convicted for perjury, so whatever you said in court wouldn't be admissible.

I'm not being funny, but I'm a con.

I'm in prison.

We're not known for telling the truth.

It's all just water under the bridge.

Not for me.

I'll be at your parole board next month.

And the one after that.

And the one after that, reminding them of how you helped a m*rder*r go free.

What do you want? Where do I find Richie Newman? Look, I had nothing to do with it.

Parole board.

Freddie Martin.

Slade called in a favour.

Hello, squire.

Looking for Freddie Martin.

Sorry, mate.

Can't help ya.

Really? Oi, Freddie.

Ronnie! Hello, Freddie.

Aaagh! Agh! Guess what, Freddie.

You don't have to say anything But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court.

Freddie's a professional, all right.

This has gotta be the best place in London to hide a body.

Over here! Hello, Richie Newman.

Morning, gents.

Enjoying the day? We're about to.

There seems to have been a misunderstanding.

Sworn statements from Danny Doyle and Freddie Martin.

What about? We found Richie Newman.

How is he? You're never gonna stop, are you? It ends here, with you back in prison for m*rder.

No, it's just the end of round one.

I played it well.

Don't you think? You think this is a game? Everything is.

When the officer asks, you'll confess to the murders of Richie Newman AND David Ackroyd.

Give his daughter some peace.

Show some honour, finally.

He's eight, isn't he? Ethan.

Your little boy.

Grateley Street, Edinburgh - beautiful house they've got.

But busy routes, no? On his walk to school.

Goodbye, Mr Slade.

Where are you going? This isn't over, yet.

This is far from over, Mr Steel! Mr Steel!