Crown Court - The Night for Country Dancing (1973) - video Dailymotion

Jezza

Barbara Airey is charged with making a false statement with intent to defraud the Inland Revenue. Richard Wilson and Edward Jewesbury star.

Transcript

00:00:00Transcription by ESO. Translation by —

00:00:20What is your religion?

00:00:21Baptist.

00:00:22Take the testament in your right hand and read aloud the words on this card.

00:00:25I swear by Almighty God that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth,

00:00:28the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth.

00:00:33You are Philip John Gordon?

00:00:35I am.

00:00:36Mr Parsons.

00:00:37My Lord, before my learned friend puts his case,

00:00:40may I request permission that my client sits in the body of the court?

00:00:43I'd be very grateful if I could, my Lord.

00:00:45It's a bit depressing being stuck up here.

00:00:47My Lord, the offence with which the accused is charged

00:00:50is not particularly grave in the circumstances.

00:00:53Yes, very well, Mrs Ayrey. You may sit beside your solicitor.

00:00:57That's very kind of you, my Lord.

00:01:03Mrs Barbara Ayrey is charged today at Forchester Crown Court

00:01:07with making a false statement with intent to defraud the Inland Revenue.

00:01:12Mr Parsons.

00:01:13You are Philip John Gordon.

00:01:14I am.

00:01:15And where do you live?

00:01:16Samantha Oakley, Fullchester.

00:01:17And you're a tax inspector with the Inland Revenue.

00:01:18Yes, sir.

00:01:19Fullchester 2nd District.

00:01:20I beg your pardon?

00:01:21Fullchester 2nd District, my Lord.

00:01:22It's a tax office, my Lord.

00:01:23It's where the defendant, Mrs Ayrey, filed her tax return.

00:01:26Yes, continue, Mr Parsons.

00:01:27And you're a tax inspector with the Inland Revenue.

00:01:28Yes, sir.

00:01:29Fullchester 2nd District.

00:01:30I beg your pardon?

00:01:31Fullchester 2nd District, my Lord.

00:01:32I beg your pardon?

00:01:33Fullchester 2nd District, my Lord.

00:01:34It's a tax office, my Lord.

00:01:35It's where the defendant, Mrs Ayrey, filed her tax returns.

00:01:37Yes, continue, Mr Parsons.

00:01:38Now, you carried out an investigation into the accused's, Mrs Ayrey's affairs.

00:01:41I did, sir.

00:01:42Now, will you please tell the jury, briefly, how Mrs Ayrey first came to your notice?

00:01:47Well, through her tax return, sir.

00:01:48She's on Schedule D.

00:01:49Now, that means she's a self-employed person, does it not?

00:01:50Yes, that is correct, sir.

00:01:51She's the proprietress of a hairdressing salon called Barbara's, at number...

00:01:54May I consult my notes, your Lord Chief?

00:01:55Very well, Mr Parsons.

00:01:56Oh, thank you.

00:01:57Yes, sir.

00:01:58Yes, sir.

00:01:59Yes, sir.

00:02:00Yes, sir.

00:02:01Yes, sir.

00:02:02Yes, sir.

00:02:03Yes, sir.

00:02:04Yes, sir.

00:02:05Yes, sir.

00:02:06Yes, sir.

00:02:07Yes, sir.

00:02:08Yes, sir.

00:02:09Yes, sir.

00:02:10Yes, sir.

00:02:11Yes, sir.

00:02:12Yes, sir.

00:02:13Yes, sir.

00:02:14Yes, sir.

00:02:15Very well, Mr Gordon.

00:02:16Oh, thank you.

00:02:17Yes, Barbara, this is number 49, Tavistock Street, Full Chair Staff.

00:02:20Yes, and she's completed tax returns for the past ten years.

00:02:23Yes, that is correct.

00:02:24Yes, my Lord.

00:02:25Your Lordship and the jury already have copies of Mrs Ayrey's tax returns from the years 62

00:02:29to 1972.

00:02:30They are, as I've explained, agreed documents.

00:02:33Now, what does the income tax year 1971 to 1972 show, Mr Gordon?

00:02:38An income of £1,580, sir.

00:02:42Now, does that figure represent any sudden departure from the previous returns of Mrs Ayrey?

00:02:47Oh, no.

00:02:48No, I should explain that in all these returns Mrs Ayrey claimed that her only source of income

00:02:54was the hairdressing business, and the profit on that was virtually the same over the years

00:02:591966, 67, £1,505.

00:03:04The following year, £1,540, then £1,530.

00:03:10Next year, £1,600, and so on, until 1971, 72, which as I said was £1,580.

00:03:16Yes.

00:03:17And that's the year ending 5th April 1972.

00:03:19That is correct, my Lord.

00:03:21Now, did you notice anything about Mrs Ayrey's standard of living?

00:03:25Yes, sir, I did.

00:03:26Now, what was that?

00:03:27Well, it appeared to be very high, having regard for her fairly average profit of her business.

00:03:33Yes, and did you interview her?

00:03:35Yes, I did.

00:03:36Five times, four times at my office, and once at her home.

00:03:40The first time, I asked to see her bank statements, invoices, and so on.

00:03:45I also saw her passport.

00:03:47Eventually, I built up a fairly clear picture.

00:03:50Yes, my Lord.

00:03:51This evidence is not disputed, and most of it appears in the second bundle of agreed documents.

00:03:55Yes, yes.

00:03:56Now, what sort of picture did you build up, Mr Gordon?

00:03:58Well, she lives in a well-appointed bungalow, now valued at £25,000,

00:04:03which she purchased in 1966 for £9,000.

00:04:12She drives a foreign sports car, which she changes every other year.

00:04:16The car cost £1,800.

00:04:19It was new last year.

00:04:21And she also sends her two sons to a preparatory school in Yorkshire,

00:04:26where the school fees are £730 a year.

00:04:30So she's paying £1,460 in school fees alone.

00:04:34Yes, correct, sir.

00:04:35And, of course, that does not include school uniforms, books, sports equipment, etc.

00:04:40And this amounts to approximately £150 a year per child, according to her own estimate.

00:04:49Yes.

00:04:50Continue, Mr Gordon.

00:04:51Well, she told me that for the past few years she'd spent a fortnight skiing in Switzerland in the winter,

00:04:57and in the summer three or four weeks in either Tunisia or Greece.

00:05:01Skiing?

00:05:02No, my lord.

00:05:03Staying in luxury hotels.

00:05:05Yes, sir.

00:05:06What is the annual cost of Mrs Aery's holidays?

00:05:08Well, approximately £1,000 per year.

00:05:11And that figure comes from Mrs Aery?

00:05:13Well, she and I went through her hotel bookings and drawings for travellers checks and so on,

00:05:19and that was the figure we arrived at.

00:05:21But she agreed that she'd spent about £1,000 on holidays?

00:05:24Yes, my lord.

00:05:25Now, did Mrs Aery make any other substantial purchases?

00:05:29Erm, yes, sir.

00:05:31There was jewellery, valued at £3,000.

00:05:36Three fur coats, another £1,700.

00:05:39Mr Parsons, Mrs Aery is charged only with making forced returns for the year ending 5th of April 1972.

00:05:44I think we should concentrate on that period.

00:05:46Yes, I should have said that these purchases were made in 1971 within the period.

00:05:52Yes, continue.

00:05:53Sir, the position is this, that in the year 1971-72,

00:05:57although her declared income was £1,580,

00:06:01she was spending, allowing, say, £1,000 for necessities,

00:06:05well, something in the region of £10,000.

00:06:08Yes, sir.

00:06:09Now, had she sold any of her capital assets?

00:06:11No, sir.

00:06:12So, you asked the jury to draw the inference, do you not, Mr Gordon,

00:06:17that the income, in fact, she greatly exceeded the sum that she had declared?

00:06:22Correct, sir.

00:06:23Now, when you had collected all of this evidence, did you confront Mrs Aery with it?

00:06:29Yes, I did.

00:06:30And on the first occasion, she said that her relative had left her the money in his will.

00:06:35When challenged to produce evidence to substantiate a statement, she said, and I quote,

00:06:42I didn't keep any records.

00:06:44Well, I asked her to name the executor of the estate, or the solicitor who drew up the will,

00:06:50and she replied, I quote, I can't remember who it was.

00:06:54But surely such information is quite easily obtained by your department, Mr Gordon?

00:06:58Yes, my lord.

00:06:59I was about to mention that to Mrs Aery when she said, after certain personal remarks...

00:07:06What do you mean by...

00:07:07I've been telling you fibs. I never inherited any money.

00:07:10Yes, but what do you mean by personal remarks?

00:07:12Well, the defendant said, and I quote, I can't do it. You've been very kind, much nicer than I deserve.

00:07:21I've been telling you fibs.

00:07:22Yes, yes, I see.

00:07:23Well, did you ask her again to explain the discrepancy?

00:07:26Yes, sir. And she said, I quote, I've no idea. I never did have a head for figures.

00:07:33Yes. Well, did she ever suggest some other source for the money?

00:07:37Yes, sir. At the second interview, she said, when pressed, I have a friend who sometimes gives me things.

00:07:46A friend?

00:07:47Yes, that was the term Mrs Aery used, my lord.

00:07:50Did the lady say what the name of this friend was?

00:07:53Mr George Wills, a builder in Fulchester.

00:07:56Did you question Mr Wills?

00:07:58Yes, I did.

00:07:59Did Mr Wills corroborate Mrs Aery's story?

00:08:02Mr Sissons, do you object that question?

00:08:05No, my lord. This evidence is acceptable as true.

00:08:08Very well, you may answer the question, Mr Gordon.

00:08:11No, sir. He denied all knowledge of Mrs Aery.

00:08:14And what was Mrs Aery's reaction when confronted with Mr Wills' denial?

00:08:18Well, she was very upset.

00:08:20Angry?

00:08:21Hurt. She wept.

00:08:24So how would you describe Mrs Aery's attitude throughout these interviews?

00:08:29Well, tearful and confusing.

00:08:32In what way confusing?

00:08:35Well, for example, my lord, when questioned as to how she was able to afford to send her two sons to St Switham's preparatory school, she insisted that by law she was forced to send her sons to school.

00:08:47So she is.

00:08:48I know, my lord, but not necessarily to one of the most expensive preparatory schools in the country.

00:08:53Yes, yes, I see.

00:08:54When I questioned her about her three fur coats valued at 1,700 pounds, she said, and I quote,

00:09:01I had to look nice when I went to see Paul and Timothy at their school.

00:09:05Yes, but of course, that's not an answer, Mr Gordon.

00:09:09No, sir. Well, I pointed this out to Mrs Aery.

00:09:11What did she say?

00:09:12Well, she accused me of wanting to make her children ashamed of her.

00:09:16Well, that's not an answer either.

00:09:18No, sir. Well, I hope you're beginning to appreciate my problem.

00:09:21Yes, indeed I am, Mr Gordon. Now, were all Mrs Aery's answers to specific questions equally irrelevant?

00:09:28Yes, most of them, yes, sir.

00:09:30Therefore, to summarise, Mr Gordon, it would be true to say, would it not, that as a result of your investigations,

00:09:37you've revealed that Mrs Aery has, for a number of years, lived well beyond her declared means.

00:09:43Correct, sir.

00:09:44Thank you, Mr Gordon. No further questions, my lord.

00:09:47Mr Gordon, we have heard you say that Mrs Aery admitted lying to you about an inheritance.

00:09:54Now, an admission of this kind would be unusual in your experience.

00:09:58Yes.

00:09:59What was your impression of Mrs Aery?

00:10:02Well, I don't quite know how to answer that.

00:10:06Well, surely in the course of your job as a tax inspector, you must have interviewed thousands of tax evaders.

00:10:11Yes.

00:10:12And you must have formed opinions as to their characters.

00:10:14Yes.

00:10:15Then what opinion did you form of Mrs Aery?

00:10:18Well, she seemed a very nice woman.

00:10:21Very attractive.

00:10:22Not a hardened criminal?

00:10:24Oh no, sir.

00:10:25Very respectable.

00:10:26Well...

00:10:27You were going to say?

00:10:29No, nothing, sir.

00:10:32You assessed Mrs Aery's expenditure in 1971-72 at around £10,000.

00:10:37Yes, sir.

00:10:38Was this an accurate assessment?

00:10:40Well, we'll put it this way.

00:10:42It can be shown...

00:10:43It can be shown...

00:10:44Mrs Aery can be shown from the documents I obtained from her...

00:10:47... to have spent...

00:10:49... er...

00:10:50... £10,000...

00:10:55... £260.

00:10:56There could be further expenditure which there was no trace.

00:10:59So, in other words, the figure is a guess?

00:11:02I wouldn't call it that.

00:11:04You are familiar with Mrs Aery's way of life.

00:11:07Well, as a result of my investigations, I have some knowledge of the manner in which she lives.

00:11:14And in the course of your work, I suppose you have met many people like Mrs Aery.

00:11:17No.

00:11:18No, I can honestly say I've never met anyone quite like Mrs Aery.

00:11:24But it is true to say, is it not, Mr Gordon, that apart from the fib concerning an inheritance...

00:11:31... which Mrs Aery immediately admitted, she did not in fact lie to you about anything else?

00:11:36Well, I don't know.

00:11:38You must have investigated her other statements.

00:11:40Yes.

00:11:41Did they prove to be false?

00:11:42No.

00:11:43There were some questions she refused to answer.

00:11:46Did she say why?

00:11:48She said she couldn't.

00:11:49It wouldn't be fair.

00:11:50To whom?

00:11:51She didn't say.

00:11:55Mr Gordon, there's just one point I'd like to clarify.

00:11:58Mrs Aery has claimed that the, er...

00:12:01... suggested that the explanation for the discrepancy between her declared income and her means...

00:12:07... was that she'd received gifts from a Mr Wills.

00:12:09Yes, sir.

00:12:10Yes, sir.

00:12:11But Mr Wills denied this.

00:12:13Yes, he did, sir.

00:12:14Yes.

00:12:15Thank you, Mr Gordon.

00:12:16How long have you been a tax inspector for, Mr Gordon?

00:12:19Twelve years.

00:12:20Yes, thank you.

00:12:21No further questions, my lord.

00:12:22You may stand down, Mr Gordon.

00:12:24There concludes the case for the prosecution, my lord.

00:12:33The first witness for the defence is Mr George Wills.

00:12:37George Wills, please.

00:12:39Please.

00:12:40Please come this way, please.

00:12:56What is your religion?

00:12:57The Church of England.

00:12:58The Church of England.

00:13:10You are George Wellington Wills of the Beaches Hall Road, Fulchester.

00:13:14I am.

00:13:15And you're managing director of Wills and Thomas Construction Limited.

00:13:18That's right.

00:13:19And you are acquainted with the defendant, Mrs Barbara Airey.

00:13:22I am.

00:13:23How long have you known the defendant?

00:13:24Oh, seven years.

00:13:27And during that time, have you given her money?

00:13:30Er, yes.

00:13:31How much?

00:13:32Well, it's difficult to say exactly.

00:13:34Well, approximately how much each year?

00:13:36Well, as I say, it's not easy to say exactly how much.

00:13:38I gave her money from time to time.

00:13:40Yes, but you must have been able to find out how much from your bank accounts and so on?

00:13:43Have you been over your accounts?

00:13:45Yes, my lord.

00:13:46Well, then how much?

00:13:47Well, it comes out roughly at about £2,000 a year.

00:13:50But it could be more.

00:13:53Now, was this money given by you to Mrs Airey for any specific business reason?

00:13:58No.

00:13:59It was an out-and-out gift to Mrs Airey.

00:14:01Yes.

00:14:02Why?

00:14:03Why?

00:14:04Yes.

00:14:05Why did you give Mrs Airey £2,000 a year?

00:14:09Because I wanted to.

00:14:11Yes, Mr Wills, but the court needs to know why you wanted to give her the money.

00:14:15Oh, does it?

00:14:16Indeed it does, Mr Wills.

00:14:18My lord, this is very embarrassing for me.

00:14:20Why, Mr Wills?

00:14:22Well, I'm married.

00:14:26Were you Mrs Airey's lover?

00:14:28My lord, do I have to answer that?

00:14:29Yes, Mr Wills.

00:14:30Could I not write the answer to that in a piece of paper and hand it to your manager?

00:14:33No, Mr Wills, you could not.

00:14:35Are there any reporters in the court?

00:14:36Answer the question, Mr Wills.

00:14:38Oh, George, I am sorry I dragged you into this.

00:14:40Mrs Airey, you must not speak to the witness.

00:14:43Sorry, my lord.

00:14:45Sorry, George.

00:14:47Were you the defendant's lover?

00:14:50Yes.

00:14:51Speak up, please, Mr Wills.

00:14:52The jury cannot hear you.

00:14:53Yes.

00:14:54Yes.

00:14:55You were Mrs Airey's lover?

00:14:56Oh, I said so, didn't I?

00:14:58The wife will do her nothing when she finds out.

00:15:00You were her lover for seven years?

00:15:02Yes.

00:15:03And that was why you gave the defendant 2,000 pounds a year?

00:15:07Yes.

00:15:08And is it because you were married that you had first told Mr Gordon that you didn't know Mrs Airey?

00:15:12Yes.

00:15:14Thank you, Mr Wills.

00:15:15I won't embarrass you further.

00:15:19Mr Wills, you say you gave the defendant 2,000 pounds a year in return for her favours?

00:15:26What?

00:15:27Oh, yes.

00:15:29Now, how often did you enjoy these favours?

00:15:31Eh?

00:15:33Well, how often did you visit Mrs Airey?

00:15:38My lord, that's a very personal question.

00:15:40Well, that may be, Mr Wills, but I must remind you that you are on oath and you must answer.

00:15:45Mondays and Fridays.

00:15:47Mondays and Fridays?

00:15:48That's right.

00:15:51Well, why just Mondays and Fridays?

00:15:53Oh, well, you see, those are the days that I'm away on business, the only days.

00:15:57You mean the only days your wife thinks you're away on business?

00:16:01Yes.

00:16:02Hmm.

00:16:03But it suited Barbara, too.

00:16:04Why?

00:16:05Well, you see, she's very keen on Scottish country dancing.

00:16:08And every other night she's dancing.

00:16:10Or learning Russian.

00:16:11Russian?

00:16:12Er, yes, my lord.

00:16:13She goes to evening classes in Russian conversation.

00:16:19Yes.

00:16:20Now, Mr Wills, did you pay for the education of Mrs Airey's sons?

00:16:24No.

00:16:25Did you pay for Mrs Airey's various holidays?

00:16:27No.

00:16:28Well, not specifically.

00:16:29Now, what do you mean by that, Mr Wills?

00:16:31Well, I didn't give her 100 quid or whatever and say, have a nice holiday on that, love.

00:16:35I just gave her money from time to time and presents and what she did with it I never asked.

00:16:41You mean to tell the court, Mr Wills, that you gave Mrs Airey money and didn't find out what she did with it?

00:16:47I didn't demand precise accounts, if that's what you mean.

00:16:50Well, I wish you had, Mr Wills.

00:16:53That is not what I meant.

00:16:55Did Mrs Airey ever tell you what she did with the money that you gave to her?

00:16:59Oh, yes, sometimes.

00:17:01Like she'd say, how do you fancy this new dress I bought with that 50 quid or whatever it was I gave her?

00:17:06Well, she was no more specific than that.

00:17:08Well, no.

00:17:09What about her cars?

00:17:10She changed her car every other year.

00:17:12Well, I thought her cars come out of the business.

00:17:15But the hairdressing business?

00:17:16Yes.

00:17:18Well, do you know where Mrs Airey's income came from?

00:17:20Well, from her business, of course.

00:17:22Mrs Airey told you that?

00:17:23Well, no.

00:17:26Are we to understand that you are under the distinct impression that Mrs Airey's business was successful?

00:17:32Well, it must have been, mustn't it?

00:17:35Yes, Mrs Airey lived well.

00:17:37Oh, very well.

00:17:38Yes.

00:17:39Well, according to the account she submitted to the Inland Revenue, her profits never exceeded £1,600 per annum.

00:17:48Oh.

00:17:50Now, do you know anything about her business?

00:17:53Did she ever discuss it?

00:17:54No.

00:17:55Well, did you ask her?

00:17:57Yes.

00:17:58But she'd say, you don't want to talk about my silly old hairdressing salon.

00:18:02And so we never did.

00:18:03So Mrs Airey was secretive about her business?

00:18:05No, but we had something else to talk about.

00:18:08Yes, I'm sure you did.

00:18:11Now, you've said in evidence that you gave Mrs Airey about £2,000 a year.

00:18:15Why £2,000?

00:18:16Well, I don't know.

00:18:18I suppose it was what I could afford, I suppose.

00:18:21Well, did you both discuss how much you should pay?

00:18:23No.

00:18:24Well, then how did you reach a figure of £2,000?

00:18:28I honestly don't know.

00:18:30You know, she needed money from time to time, I give it.

00:18:33And it worked out at about £2,000 a year, roughly.

00:18:36So Mrs Airey fixed the sum?

00:18:39Oh, yes.

00:18:40I'm not complaining, mind you.

00:18:42It was worth it.

00:18:44Yes, now you say it worked out about £2,000 a year, roughly.

00:18:48Now, how roughly?

00:18:50Well, you see, in a good year it might be £2,500.

00:18:53In a bad year it might be as low as £1,750.

00:18:57I mean, it was whatever my business, you know, could afford.

00:19:01I see.

00:19:02Mr Wills, do you mean that Mrs Airey varied the scale of her demands

00:19:04according to whether your business was doing well or badly?

00:19:06Yes, my lord.

00:19:07She's a very sensible woman.

00:19:09A very nice person.

00:19:11Yes, well, how much did you give her in the year 1971-72,

00:19:15the year ending the 5th of April 1972?

00:19:18Well, 1971-72, that were a good year, I suppose.

00:19:21I gave her about £2,500.

00:19:23Yes, so it is true, Mr Wills, is it not,

00:19:26that at no time did your gifts to Mrs Airey

00:19:29exceed £2,500 in a single year?

00:19:33That's right.

00:19:34And to the best of your knowledge, the money that you gave her

00:19:37and the money that she made from her business

00:19:39were her only sources of income?

00:19:41Yes.

00:19:42Right.

00:19:43Now, Mr Wills, I wonder if you would do a brief sum for the jury?

00:19:48Sum?

00:19:49Well, OK.

00:19:52Now, £2,500 plus £1,580, what does that amount to?

00:20:00£4,080.

00:20:02Yes.

00:20:03Now, subtract that from £10,260.

00:20:07Could I do that, please, in a piece of paper?

00:20:09If you wish.

00:20:10£10,260.

00:20:11That, er, £6,180.

00:20:12Yes.

00:20:13Thank you, Mr Wills.

00:20:14No further questions.

00:20:15Mr Wills.

00:20:16No further questions.

00:20:17No further questions.

00:20:18Mrs Airey, it's for your counsel to decide whether he wishes to re-examine this witness or not.

00:20:21But I don't want him to.

00:20:23Mrs Airey, why ever not?

00:20:24Because I don't want George subjected to any more of this sort of thing.

00:20:25Well, look at him, the poor man.

00:20:26It's just not fair.

00:20:27He's not used to this sort of thing.

00:20:28Mrs Airey, I must remind you that you are on trial, and that Mr Wills, as I understand

00:20:31it, is your sole witness.

00:20:32Oh, I know that, but I had no idea he was going to be questioned.

00:20:33The way he has.

00:20:34Well, the prosecuting counsel is only doing his job.

00:20:35Oh, I know, my lord.

00:20:36I'm not complaining.

00:20:37It's George.

00:20:38Well, what about George?

00:20:39Well, what about George?

00:20:40Well, I don't want George to examine this witness or not?

00:20:42Well, I don't want him to.

00:20:43Mrs Airey, why ever not?

00:20:44Because I don't want George subjected to any more of this sort of thing.

00:20:45Well, look at him, the poor man.

00:20:46Well, it's just not fair.

00:20:47He's not used to this sort of thing.

00:20:48Mrs Airey, I must remind you that you are on trial, and that Mr Wills, as I understand

00:20:49it, is your sole witness.

00:20:50Oh, I know that, but I had no idea he was going to be questioned the way he has.

00:20:55Well, the prosecuting counsel is only doing his job.

00:20:57Oh, I know, my lord.

00:20:58I'm not complaining.

00:21:00It's George.

00:21:02Well, what about Mr Wills?

00:21:05Well, he's been asked all these terribly embarrassing questions.

00:21:08He's a married man, you know, with two teenage children.

00:21:10Well, like me to say, just think what the press are going to make of it all.

00:21:14Well, so long as the press do not publish a libel, there's nothing that you or I can do

00:21:17about it, madam.

00:21:18There is one thing I can do, my lord.

00:21:20What's that?

00:21:21Refuse to let George be humiliated any further.

00:21:24Well, my lord, if my client persists, I will, of course, have to withdraw from the case.

00:21:28Now, now, just one minute, please, Mr Sissons.

00:21:31Now, Mrs Airey, do you wish to dismiss your counsel and conduct your case yourself?

00:21:36No, of course not.

00:21:37I'm not nearly clever enough to do that.

00:21:39Besides, I think Mr Sissons is doing very well, considering.

00:21:42Yes, well then, Mrs Sissons, er, Mrs Airey, I suggest that you permit Mr Sissons to conduct

00:21:47the case as he thinks best.

00:21:48Oh, I will, my lord.

00:21:49Well, then let us continue.

00:21:50So long as it is clearly understood that George leaves the case.

00:21:53That George leaves the box now.

00:21:55My lord, under the circumstances, I think you will appreciate that I...

00:21:58No, let us not be hasty, Mr Sissons, please.

00:22:01Mrs Airey, I will adjourn for a few minutes so that you may discuss this matter with your counsel.

00:22:08There's nothing to discuss, my lord.

00:22:10Nothing?

00:22:11Well, I've said everything I had to say.

00:22:13I thought I made it all quite clear.

00:22:15My lord, I do agree with my client.

00:22:17I see no point in continuing this discussion.

00:22:20But you will go on as my counsel, won't you?

00:22:23Please?

00:22:28Very well, Mrs Airey.

00:22:30My lord, I think I can, on reconsideration, dispense with the question I was going to ask Mr Wills.

00:22:36Oh, good.

00:22:37Yes, well, I'm sure that's in everybody's interests, Mr Sissons.

00:22:41Does that mean I can go?

00:22:43Yes, yes, Mr Wills, you may stand down.

00:22:45Thank you, my lord.

00:22:47Thanks, love.

00:22:48That's all right, George.

00:22:49Can we get on now, Mr Sissons?

00:22:59I now call the defendant.

00:23:00My lord.

00:23:01Mrs Airey, you must not keep interrupting the proceedings.

00:23:04I'm sorry, my lord, I just wanted to ask a question.

00:23:07What, Mrs Airey?

00:23:09Well, I've been thinking and I don't think my case is going very well, do you?

00:23:14Mrs Airey, I cannot possibly comment upon the conduct of this case.

00:23:16Oh, my lord, I don't want you to do anything wrong.

00:23:18It's just that, well, I don't think it's going very well and I was wondering if...

00:23:22What, Mrs Airey?

00:23:24Well, I was wondering if I might call another witness.

00:23:28Perhaps two?

00:23:29Well, I suggest you discuss that matter with Mr Sissons.

00:23:32Oh, I will, my lord, but there's nothing in law to prevent me calling fresh witnesses, is there?

00:23:37No.

00:23:38No, legally, or entitled to call anybody you think may help your case.

00:23:42Then I wish to call Mr Arthur Moore.

00:23:44Yes, I presume Mr Moore is available.

00:23:46Oh, Arthur will turn up and give evidence. All I've got to do is ring him up.

00:23:50You mean he's not here in court today?

00:23:52Well, since it's nearly four o'clock, I suggest that we adjourn until tomorrow morning.

00:23:59And, Mrs Airey, please sort out your problems with your council before the morning, will you?

00:24:04We don't want any more adjournments.

00:24:06I will, my lord.

00:24:08All stand.

00:24:10You're very kind, my lord.

00:24:29The case of the Queen against Airey will be resumed tomorrow in the Crown Court.

00:24:36I'll never forget to see you, either.

00:24:53I'll never forget to go before thawes or auction.

00:25:05Barbara Airey lived in style.

00:25:15A comfortable house in the best part of Fulchester, a new car every year.

00:25:19Her son's at an expensive boarding school.

00:25:22The Inland Revenue wanted to know how she managed it.

00:25:25Did it all come from the profits of her hairdressing salon?

00:25:28What was Barbara Airey's secret?

00:25:31All stands.

00:25:35Now, Mr Sissons, yesterday Mrs Airey wished to call an extra witness.

00:25:47Is that witness in court?

00:25:48Yes, my lord, he's waiting to be caught.

00:25:50Yes, well, I trust, Mr Sissons, that you and your client are now agreed about how her case should be presented.

00:25:56Hopefully, my lord, we are.

00:25:58Let us hope there will be no more of yesterday's confusion.

00:26:00I'm sorry about what happened yesterday, my lord.

00:26:02And no more interruptions, please, Mrs Airey.

00:26:06Sorry, my lord.

00:26:07Call your next witness, Mr Sissons.

00:26:09I call Arthur Moore.

00:26:12Arthur Moore, please.

00:26:14Will he come and say so, please?

00:26:15What is your religion?

00:26:33Monsieur V.

00:26:33Take the testament in your right hand and read aloud the words on this card.

00:26:37I swear by almighty God that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

00:26:45You are Arthur Moore?

00:26:47Yes.

00:26:47Will you speak up, Mr Moore?

00:26:49Yes.

00:26:50And you live at Eaton Mill, Wayford, near Fulchester?

00:26:53Yes.

00:26:55I said yes, my lord.

00:26:56What is your occupation, Mr Moore?

00:27:00Company director and manager.

00:27:03Could you be more specific, Mr Moore?

00:27:05I'm a director of Moore & Tucker.

00:27:07That's a large department store in Fulchester, my lord.

00:27:10Yes.

00:27:10And, Mr Moore, you described yourself as a manager.

00:27:12What are you a manager of?

00:27:13The store in Fulchester.

00:27:15That's Moore & Tucker?

00:27:17Yes.

00:27:18Is there something the matter with your voice, Mr Moore?

00:27:20No, my lord.

00:27:21No, no, I'm quite all right.

00:27:22Well, then, could we proceed with all possible dispatch, subject to Mr Moore's laryngeal deficiencies?

00:27:28As your lordship pleases.

00:27:30Mr Moore, are you acquainted with the defendant, Mrs Barbara Airy?

00:27:33Yes.

00:27:34How long have you known her?

00:27:35Ten years.

00:27:36Are you Mrs Airy's lover?

00:27:40My lord, could I ask if my evidence be heard in camera?

00:27:43In camera?

00:27:45This is not a security matter, is it, Mr Moore?

00:27:47It could be for me, my lord.

00:27:49Yes, I mean, is the security of the state involved?

00:27:51Well, no.

00:27:52You are married, I take it, Mr Moore?

00:27:56Yes, my lord, now, that's just it.

00:27:57Yes.

00:27:58All the same, I'm afraid your evidence cannot be heard in camera.

00:28:01Oh.

00:28:04Mr Moore, let me ask you once again, are you Mrs Airy's lover?

00:28:08Yes.

00:28:09And how long have you been her lover?

00:28:11Not very long.

00:28:12How long?

00:28:13Ten years.

00:28:14Ten years?

00:28:15Yes, my lord.

00:28:17During that period, have you been in the habit of giving Mrs Airy presents?

00:28:21Occasionally.

00:28:22Yes.

00:28:24Yes.

00:28:26And what has been the nature of these presents?

00:28:28Various things.

00:28:29Money?

00:28:30Sometimes.

00:28:31How much money did you give Mrs Airy last year?

00:28:34Oh, about 2,000, I suppose.

00:28:362,000 pounds?

00:28:37Perhaps a little more.

00:28:393,000 pounds?

00:28:40Two and a half, I should think.

00:28:42Did you give her any other presents as well?

00:28:45Occasionally.

00:28:46What kind of presents?

00:28:47I gave her a fur coat once and one or two other things.

00:28:52Jewels?

00:28:53Arthur, you gave me those pearl earrings, remember?

00:28:56Oh, yes.

00:28:56And the stereo sex.

00:28:57Yes.

00:28:57Mrs Airy, it is quite impermissible for you to tell your witness what to say.

00:29:02Oh, sorry, my lord.

00:29:03I will not tolerate a repetition of yesterday's wrangling.

00:29:05I was just trying to jog Arthur's memory.

00:29:07Mr Moore, in return for all these gifts, you enjoyed, as my learned friend so elegantly

00:29:14puts it, Mrs Airy's favours.

00:29:17Um, well, yes.

00:29:19You visited Mrs Airy regularly?

00:29:21Yes.

00:29:22On any particular days of the week?

00:29:25Yes, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

00:29:28Ah.

00:29:29Never on any other days?

00:29:30Oh, no, no, no, no.

00:29:31That was our arrangement.

00:29:32Thursday is our half-day closing in Fulchester.

00:29:34Mr Moore, did you never visit Mrs Airy on any other day of the week?

00:29:39Oh, no, my lord, no.

00:29:40Mondays and Fridays are her nights for Scottish country dancing, and on Wednesdays she learns

00:29:45Russian.

00:29:46But I thought, er, are you sure that those are the days on which Mrs Airy indulges in her

00:29:52cultural activities?

00:29:53Oh, yes, my lord.

00:29:57Mr Moore, over the period of the ten years, how much have you given Mrs Airy each year?

00:30:02Two thousand on average, I suppose.

00:30:05Did Mrs Airy ever at any time discuss her other sources of income with you?

00:30:09You mean her hairdressing business?

00:30:10Did she discuss that?

00:30:11Sometimes.

00:30:12Did she say how it was doing financially?

00:30:13Well, no.

00:30:14Did she discuss any other source of income?

00:30:16No.

00:30:17Did she mention Mr George Wills at any time?

00:30:21No.

00:30:22Mr George Wills of Wills and Thomas Construction Limited?

00:30:25No, no, she didn't.

00:30:29No further questions, Mr Moore.

00:30:30Mr Moore, how did you come to be in this court today?

00:30:38Barbara phoned me this morning.

00:30:40Oh, she phoned you?

00:30:41What did she say?

00:30:42My lord, my client's conversation with Mr Moore is, in my submission, quite inadmissible.

00:30:47No, Mr Sissons, Mr Moore should answer the question.

00:30:51Well, Barbara asked me to come to court today to give evidence.

00:30:54She was lucky to get me, actually.

00:30:56Why was that?

00:30:56I'd just come back from a business trip.

00:30:57I see.

00:30:59Did Mrs Erie tell you about Mr Wills?

00:31:03No.

00:31:03No, Mr Moore?

00:31:04No, my lord.

00:31:05She didn't say very much at all, actually.

00:31:06She couldn't.

00:31:07Why not?

00:31:08She phoned me at home.

00:31:10My wife was there.

00:31:12Ah.

00:31:13Well, do you know Mr Wills?

00:31:15Well, you see his name a lot on building sites in Fulchester.

00:31:20That's not the question I ask, Mr Moore.

00:31:23No, I don't know Mr Wills personally.

00:31:26Were you aware that Mrs Erie knew him?

00:31:29No.

00:31:30Were you aware that he was also Mrs Erie's lover?

00:31:33What?

00:31:36Mr Wills has been Mrs Erie's lover for the past seven years.

00:31:39But he can't be.

00:31:40Why not?

00:31:41Well, because I am, and I mean...

00:31:42Oh, bloody hell!

00:31:45Excuse me, my lord.

00:31:47This time, Mr Moore?

00:31:48It won't happen again, my lord, but...

00:31:50Dammit, I'm paying Barbara two and a half thousand a year.

00:31:52Yes, so is Mr Wills, Mr Moore.

00:31:55What?

00:31:55Mr Wills mentioned in his evidence that he is paying Mrs Erie between two thousand and two and a half thousand pounds a year.

00:32:02But he can't be.

00:32:03Why not?

00:32:04Well, I've never seen him with Barbara.

00:32:07You said that you visited Mrs Erie on Tuesdays and Thursdays?

00:32:11Yes.

00:32:12Well, Mr Wills mentioned Mondays and Fridays.

00:32:17Barbara, how could you?

00:32:19Oh, Arthur, I can explain.

00:32:20Not at the moment, Mrs Erie, if you please.

00:32:22Oh, couldn't I, my lord?

00:32:23No, Mrs Erie.

00:32:24It won't take a second.

00:32:25No.

00:32:26But Arthur's awfully sensitive.

00:32:27He'll be terribly hurt if I'm not allowed to...

00:32:29Well, I just don't know what to say.

00:32:32Mr Moore, are you saying that you had no idea at all that Mrs Erie had another liaison?

00:32:40I didn't know she had anyone else.

00:32:42You find it hard to accept?

00:32:44Yes.

00:32:44Yes, so do I.

00:32:46What do you mean?

00:32:47Oh, come now, Mr Moore.

00:32:49One might concede that Mrs Erie could keep her lovers apart for some time.

00:32:53A year, perhaps.

00:32:54Perhaps even two.

00:32:55But for seven years...

00:32:56I've known Barbara for ten.

00:32:58Ten years?

00:32:59Yes, I'm the father of...

00:33:00Yes?

00:33:02You're the father of one of her children.

00:33:04Is that what you were about to say?

00:33:06Yes.

00:33:07Which child?

00:33:08Paul, the youngest.

00:33:09And how old is he?

00:33:09Nine.

00:33:11Now, both the children go to boarding school, do they not?

00:33:15Do you know who pays for their fees?

00:33:16I pay Paul's.

00:33:17Yes.

00:33:18So I'm £730 a year, is it not?

00:33:21Something like that.

00:33:22Yes.

00:33:22Now, is that £730 included in the £2,000 that you say you give to Mrs Erie?

00:33:27Yes, yes.

00:33:28It's included in the £2,000.

00:33:29I see.

00:33:32You're fond of Mrs Erie?

00:33:34Yes, very fond.

00:33:36You were considered marrying her?

00:33:38Yes.

00:33:39But I'm married already.

00:33:41But has Mrs Erie never pressed you to divorce your wife?

00:33:44Good heavens, no, Barbara's not like that.

00:33:47She's against divorce.

00:33:49Besides, my wife owns a lot of shares in my business, and, uh...

00:33:52Well, divorce just isn't on.

00:33:55Yes.

00:33:56You see, Mr Moore,

00:33:58I suggest that you are not now Mrs Erie's lover,

00:34:02and have not been for some time.

00:34:03No, that's not true.

00:34:04You persist in this unlikely story

00:34:06that you and Mr Will shared Mrs Erie's affections for seven years

00:34:11without knowingly of the existence of each other?

00:34:13Well, I didn't know about Mr Wills.

00:34:17Mr Moore,

00:34:18you are on oath,

00:34:20and his lordship will tell you

00:34:21that perjury is a very serious offence.

00:34:24I know, and I'm telling the truth.

00:34:29When did you last see Mrs Erie?

00:34:31A week last Thursday.

00:34:33Not since then.

00:34:33I've been away on business.

00:34:35What's the colour scheme of her bedroom?

00:34:38What?

00:34:39What colour is her bedroom?

00:34:44Well, I...

00:34:45I don't remember exactly.

00:34:47Surely you've been in Mrs Erie's bedroom.

00:34:49Yes.

00:34:50Well, what colour is it then?

00:34:53White?

00:34:54Green?

00:34:55Blue?

00:34:55Gold?

00:34:56Pink?

00:34:56Purple?

00:34:58Blue.

00:35:00You're sure?

00:35:01Yes, blue.

00:35:02I think.

00:35:07Hmm.

00:35:09Mr Moore,

00:35:10would you do a sum for me?

00:35:13Well, certainly.

00:35:15Yes, I don't think you need your computer.

00:35:18Sir, 2,500 plus 2,000.

00:35:234,500.

00:35:24Plus 1,580.

00:35:276,080.

00:35:28Now, subtract that from 10,260.

00:35:364,180.

00:35:38Thank you, Mr Moore.

00:35:42Mr Moore.

00:35:43Ahem.

00:35:46No further questions, my lord.

00:35:48You may stand down, Mr Moore.

00:36:03My lord, my client has told me of another material witness who I now is to call.

00:36:07Mr Raymond Dean.

00:36:10Raymond Dean, please.

00:36:12Come in, sir.

00:36:18What is your religion?

00:36:27Oh, I wish to affirm.

00:36:29Kindly read the words on this card.

00:36:31I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

00:36:38You are Raymond Dean of the Grange, Old Melton?

00:36:43Yes.

00:36:44What is your occupation?

00:36:45Garage owner.

00:36:46Are you married, Mr Dean?

00:36:47Yes.

00:36:48Mr Dean, are you Mrs Airey's lover?

00:36:50Yes.

00:36:51How long has the liaison continued?

00:36:52Oh, 10 years about.

00:36:5310 years at least.

00:36:54You're not the father of either of Mrs Airey's children?

00:36:57Oh, yes.

00:36:58I'm the father of Paul.

00:36:59But it can't be.

00:37:00That man's lying.

00:37:01Well, who the hell is he calling a lie?

00:37:02I'm Paul's father.

00:37:03Gentlemen, Mr Moore, you have given your evidence.

00:37:06If you're not silent, I shall have you removed from the court.

00:37:09Sorry, my lord.

00:37:10Now then, Mr Dean, are you sure that you're Paul Airey's father?

00:37:16Oh, of course I am.

00:37:17I should know.

00:37:18Well, Mr Moore claimed that honor in his evidence.

00:37:20Well, I don't know why.

00:37:22I'm Paul's father, my lord.

00:37:23I pay his school fees, don't I?

00:37:24So he claims, does he?

00:37:27Yes, but Paul looks like me.

00:37:28Rubbish.

00:37:28He looks exactly like me.

00:37:33I could explain, my lord.

00:37:46No, not at the moment, Mrs Airey, please.

00:37:49All right, my lord.

00:37:50My lord, I have a right to know if I'm the father of my child.

00:37:54What about me?

00:37:55Now, gentlemen, this is a court of law,

00:37:57but the case before us concerns an alleged attempt to defraud the Inland Revenue.

00:38:00We are not here to decide the paternity of Mrs Airey's child.

00:38:04Mr Sissons, continue, please.

00:38:06Mr Dean, are you acquainted with Mr Moore?

00:38:09What?

00:38:10No, I've never met him until just now.

00:38:12So you were not in fact aware that you were sharing Mrs Airey with him?

00:38:16Not with him.

00:38:17I knew about George Wills, of course.

00:38:19Oh, how?

00:38:20Well, I read it in the papers this morning.

00:38:22It came as quite a shock, I can tell you.

00:38:24I never thought for a moment that Barbara was immoral.

00:38:27Immoral, Mr Dean?

00:38:28Well, you know what I mean, my lord.

00:38:29But you've admitted keeping Mrs Airey yourself?

00:38:32Yes, but I was only seeing her at weekends.

00:38:34Besides, it was practically like being married to her.

00:38:36It had been going on long enough.

00:38:38Has there ever been any suggestion of marriage between you?

00:38:41Yes, but Barbara knows I can't get a divorce at the moment.

00:38:44My wife's an invalid.

00:38:46Have you ever given Mrs Airey any money?

00:38:48Regularly, about £4,000 a year.

00:38:51No further questions, my lord.

00:38:52Mr Dean, you say you only saw Mrs Airey at weekends.

00:39:00That's right.

00:39:00I'm busy during the week.

00:39:02And in their case, so is Barbara.

00:39:04I mean, she goes to Russian language classes and Scottish country dancing.

00:39:07Yes, yes.

00:39:08At least, uh, she said she did.

00:39:11Now, do you mean to tell the court that in ten years,

00:39:15you never once called Mrs Airey at home during the week?

00:39:18No.

00:39:18Well, that would have been against our agreement.

00:39:21Agreement?

00:39:22Well, Barbara said that between running her business and the family,

00:39:25the boys were small then,

00:39:26she just didn't have time for more.

00:39:28Anyway, uh, weekends worked out fine for me.

00:39:31Yes, all the same, Mr Dean.

00:39:34Surely circumstances arose from time to time,

00:39:37which made it imperative for you to see Mrs Airey during the week, perhaps.

00:39:42Something to do with the children.

00:39:44Oh, if I wanted to speak to her during the week,

00:39:45I'd telephoned her, or she'd phone me.

00:39:48Yes.

00:39:49Did you ever find yourself talking to a strange man?

00:39:51No.

00:39:53Oh, oh, yes.

00:39:55Yes, once I did, about four years ago, something like that.

00:39:58I phoned Barbara one evening, and her bloke answered.

00:40:01Well, who was it?

00:40:02I don't know.

00:40:03She said it was the doctor.

00:40:05The doctor?

00:40:06Yeah, she wasn't feeling very well at the time.

00:40:08You believed her?

00:40:09Well, I didn't think much about it at that time.

00:40:11She never seemed to look at another man.

00:40:15She always seemed very, very loving, very faithful.

00:40:19Hmm.

00:40:21Now, did Mrs Airey ever discuss her business with you?

00:40:25Well, not what you call discuss.

00:40:27She'd mention it from time to time.

00:40:30But, uh, business was the last thing I wanted to discuss at the weekends, believe me.

00:40:34Yes, yes, yes.

00:40:35Now, did she ever tell you how her business was doing?

00:40:38No.

00:40:39No, not really.

00:40:41Did she ever tell you that, in fact, her business was doing rather badly?

00:40:45No.

00:40:47Would you describe a profit of £1,500 as a good return on capital?

00:40:51Ah, depends on what the capital is, doesn't it?

00:40:54Yes, Mr Parsons, that wasn't a very helpful question.

00:40:57Yes, my lord.

00:40:59Now, you told my learned friend that you paid for the boy Paul's schooling.

00:41:04Yes.

00:41:05Now, you also said you gave Mrs Airey about £4,000 a year.

00:41:08Yes.

00:41:08Now, are the school fees included in the £4,000 a year?

00:41:12Yes, the £4,000 is all I gave her.

00:41:14Yes.

00:41:16£4,000 is a lot of money.

00:41:19How much do you yourself declare to the Inland Revenue?

00:41:24Uh, my lord, do I have to answer that?

00:41:26Yes, Mr Dean.

00:41:27No.

00:41:29Eight, £9,000 a year.

00:41:30Yes, how many garages do you own?

00:41:33Five.

00:41:34And I've also got an agency for foreign sports cars.

00:41:37Yes.

00:41:38All the same, £4,000 is quite a chunk out of your income.

00:41:42Yes.

00:41:43Have you any children by your wife?

00:41:46No.

00:41:47Do you claim tax on a child by Mrs Airey?

00:41:49Uh, no.

00:41:51Must pay a lot of income tax.

00:41:54You can say that again.

00:41:55Yes.

00:41:56No doubt the Inland Revenue will be curious as to how you managed to support such an expensive

00:42:01mistress on your income.

00:42:04Yes.

00:42:05I know.

00:42:06I'm sure the jury are also curious.

00:42:08My lord, it is my client who is on trial here, not Mr Dean.

00:42:12My lord, the income of these three witnesses is central to this whole case.

00:42:17As it stands, we only have their unsupported testimony that, in fact, they gave the money

00:42:22to Mrs Airey that they say they did.

00:42:24In due course, Mrs Airey will substantiate that testimony.

00:42:27My lord, since it is Mrs Airey's defence that she accepted money and gifts from these three

00:42:31men, it would be most surprising if she contradicted them.

00:42:34My lord, Mrs Airey, like Mr Moore, Mr Dean and Mr Wills, is on oath, or will be.

00:42:40If any of them lie, they lay themselves open to a charge of perjury.

00:42:44My lord, in due to the declared incomes of these three witnesses, I think I am entitled

00:42:49to suggest that they are not being frank with the Inland Revenue, and they are not being

00:42:55frank in this court today.

00:42:57It is that unfounded and unwarranted accusation that I object to, my lord.

00:43:00Yes, gentlemen.

00:43:01My lord.

00:43:02Yes, Mr Dean.

00:43:03Look, I don't want to get involved in all this legal argument.

00:43:07Can I plead the Fifth Amendment?

00:43:09Fifth Amendment?

00:43:11Well, whatever it is, they plead in America, my lord.

00:43:14This is not America, Mr Dean.

00:43:15No, I realise that.

00:43:16My lord, if I may elucidate.

00:43:18Yes, please do, Mr Sissons.

00:43:20The Fifth Amendment is an American legal device whereby a witness may refuse to answer certain

00:43:25questions on the grounds that they might incriminate him.

00:43:29I am impressed by the breadth of your learning, Mr Sissons.

00:43:31Thank you, my lord.

00:43:33It's the result of a misspent youth.

00:43:35Misspent?

00:43:36An addiction to Edward G. Robinson films, my lord.

00:43:39Ah, yes, indeed, yes.

00:43:41Well, let me put your mind at rest, Mr Dean.

00:43:44Yes, we have a similar principle in this country.

00:43:47It is known as privilege against self-incrimination.

00:43:51Oh, good.

00:43:51However, I must point out that learned counsel for the defence was also quite right when he

00:43:56pointed out that you are under oath, and if you lie, you will be guilty of perjury.

00:44:01I understand, my lord.

00:44:02Now then, do you swear that no matter what your declared income, you were able to afford

00:44:08the expense of keeping Mrs Erie?

00:44:10Yes.

00:44:10How did you give her the money?

00:44:17Ah, I don't know what you mean.

00:44:20I mean, how did you give her the money?

00:44:23In cash or by cheque?

00:44:25Oh, cash, of course.

00:44:27Large sums, small sums?

00:44:29Oh, it varies.

00:44:30But you paid in each visit?

00:44:31No, of course not.

00:44:33There's nothing mercenary about Barbara.

00:44:35Oh, for a lady who isn't mercenary, she would appear to do remarkably well financially.

00:44:42However, when did you give her the money?

00:44:47Oh, when I had the spare cash available.

00:44:49Like last month, I gave her 450 quid.

00:44:51Which you just happened to have available?

00:44:56No matter.

00:44:58How did you arrive at the total figure which would be acceptable to Mrs Erie?

00:45:03How do you mean?

00:45:06Well, you just mentioned a figure of £4,000.

00:45:09Now, how did you reach that figure?

00:45:10Well, I don't know exactly.

00:45:11Well, why not £2,000, not £3,000, not £10,000?

00:45:14Oh, I couldn't afford that.

00:45:16Did you ever discuss finances with Mrs Erie?

00:45:20No, not really.

00:45:21Then how did you arrive at that figure?

00:45:23Well, that's the way it kind of worked out at.

00:45:25I mean, Barbara sometimes would say to me,

00:45:27don't give me all that, it's too much.

00:45:29So I don't.

00:45:30Ah, so it was really Mrs Erie who dictated the sum involved?

00:45:33Oh, yes, yes, I suppose so.

00:45:35And over the years, it's worked out at about £4,000.

00:45:38Yes.

00:45:38And you say she isn't mercenary?

00:45:41No, just sensible about money.

00:45:44I mean, you couldn't have a relationship,

00:45:45but not one as long as Barbara's and mine,

00:45:48unless the woman was sensible about the financial side of things.

00:45:50More than just sensible, Mrs Erie has shown remarkable financial acumen.

00:45:55Oh, yes, maybe.

00:45:58Therefore, that suggests, does it not, that she's a very good businesswoman?

00:46:01Ah, well, I don't think you could...

00:46:03Mr Parsons, I don't see how the witness can answer that question.

00:46:07As your lordship pleases,

00:46:08I'll leave the jury to draw their own conclusions.

00:46:12Mr Dean, one last question.

00:46:14What is the colour of Mrs Erie's bedroom?

00:46:18What?

00:46:21The decoration, Mr Dean.

00:46:23What colour is it?

00:46:26Um.

00:46:28Now, surely after ten years,

00:46:30you must be familiar with Mrs Erie's bedroom.

00:46:32Yes.

00:46:35Pink?

00:46:38Pink?

00:46:40Pink.

00:46:40You're sure?

00:46:42Look, I'm a businessman, not an interior decorator.

00:46:45Yes, but you're not colourblind, though, are you?

00:46:47No, of course not.

00:46:48Pink.

00:46:48Pink!

00:46:50Now, the previous witness, Mr Moore,

00:46:54one of your co-admirers of Mrs Erie,

00:46:57said to the court

00:46:58that Mrs Erie's bedroom was blue.

00:47:01Well, pink, blue, what does it matter?

00:47:03Yes, I must confess, Mr Parsons,

00:47:05that I'm rather of Mr Dean's opinion.

00:47:06What does it matter, in fact?

00:47:08Well, my lord, either this witness

00:47:09or Mr Moore

00:47:10were lying.

00:47:12I am telling the truth.

00:47:14Ah!

00:47:15Then it must be Mr Moore.

00:47:17My lord, I really must...

00:47:19Oh, both these witnesses are lying.

00:47:24My lord, the whole of Mrs Erie's ingenious

00:47:26but highly improbable case

00:47:28is based on the testimony

00:47:29of these last two witnesses.

00:47:31Without them, she has no defence.

00:47:33Well, that, Mr Parsons,

00:47:35is a point I think

00:47:36we could more fruitfully make

00:47:37in your final speech to the jury.

00:47:40Let's your lordship please this.

00:47:43Mr Dean,

00:47:44have you ever been in Mrs Erie's bedroom?

00:47:48Of course.

00:47:49When?

00:47:51Weekends.

00:47:51Now, when was the last time?

00:47:52Last weekend!

00:47:54Mr Dean,

00:47:55I put it to you

00:47:56that your evidence

00:47:57is a tissue of lies.

00:47:59No, sir.

00:47:59An ingenious fairy tale

00:48:01designed to disguise

00:48:02a complete and total lack

00:48:04of hard evidence.

00:48:05No.

00:48:07Do you think the jury

00:48:08believes you, Mr Dean?

00:48:13Mr Dean,

00:48:14have you been

00:48:14Mrs Erie's lover

00:48:15for the last ten years?

00:48:17Yes, sir.

00:48:18Is the evidence

00:48:19that you have given

00:48:19this court true?

00:48:21Yes.

00:48:22Thank you, Mr Dean.

00:48:24You may stand down, Mr Dean.

00:48:26Oh, thank you, my lord.

00:48:31I call the defendant,

00:48:32Mrs Barbara Erie.

00:48:33I am sorry.

00:48:48Mrs Erie.

00:48:51Coming, my lord.

00:48:52Thank you, my lord.

00:48:52The case of the Queen

00:49:11against Erie

00:49:11will be resumed tomorrow

00:49:13in the Crown Court.

00:49:14Things have changed

00:49:40since biblical times.

00:49:41The wages of sin

00:49:42used to be death,

00:49:43but today

00:49:44they're a luxury home,

00:49:45a fancy car

00:49:46and exotic holidays

00:49:47and an expensive boarding school

00:49:49for your children.

00:49:50At least,

00:49:50that's how Barbara Erie

00:49:52explained her way of life.

00:49:54Did her three lovers

00:49:55keep her in style

00:49:56or was it all a lie

00:49:57to cover up years

00:49:58of income tax evasion?

00:50:00We'll find out

00:50:01on this,

00:50:02the last day

00:50:02of the trial

00:50:03of Barbara Erie

00:50:04at Fullchester Crown Court.

00:50:06You are Mrs Barbara

00:50:08Evangeline Erie

00:50:09of the Willows,

00:50:10George Road,

00:50:11Fullchester.

00:50:12I am, unfortunately.

00:50:14Unfortunately,

00:50:14Mrs Erie?

00:50:16Sorry, my lord.

00:50:17It's Evangeline.

00:50:18It's such a ghastly name.

00:50:19I mean,

00:50:20fancy calling a child

00:50:20Evangeline.

00:50:22I think it's quite

00:50:22a pleasant name.

00:50:24You're very kind,

00:50:25my lord.

00:50:26But you must just

00:50:26answer the question,

00:50:27Mrs Erie.

00:50:29Sorry, my lord.

00:50:29I talk too much.

00:50:31You are the owner

00:50:32of Barbara's

00:50:33hairdressing salon.

00:50:34I am.

00:50:36The tax returns

00:50:37for the financial year

00:50:38which were presented

00:50:39in evidence

00:50:39by the prosecution,

00:50:41these are the returns

00:50:41that you yourself

00:50:42submitted to the

00:50:43Inland Revenue.

00:50:43They are.

00:50:44Are these returns

00:50:45to the best of your

00:50:46knowledge accurate?

00:50:47They are.

00:50:49These returns

00:50:50show an annual profit

00:50:51for your business

00:50:52of between

00:50:52£15 and £1600 a year.

00:50:54Yes, that's right.

00:50:56I'm afraid I'm not

00:50:57a very good businesswoman.

00:51:00Mrs Erie,

00:51:00are you married?

00:51:02I'm a widow.

00:51:04When did your

00:51:04late husband die?

00:51:06Almost 11 years ago.

00:51:07He was killed

00:51:07in a car crash.

00:51:09You have children?

00:51:11Yes, two sons,

00:51:12nine and ten.

00:51:14Timmy, the oldest,

00:51:15was just two weeks old

00:51:16when Brown was killed.

00:51:19He was still celebrating,

00:51:20wetting the baby's head.

00:51:22It happened on the

00:51:22Leicester Road.

00:51:24And you were left

00:51:24a widow with a small baby?

00:51:26Yes.

00:51:27Life can't have been

00:51:28easy for you.

00:51:30No, but I managed.

00:51:32And I had to,

00:51:32didn't I?

00:51:34You've heard the evidence

00:51:35of the three witnesses

00:51:36for the defence.

00:51:38Yes.

00:51:39I must say

00:51:40how grateful I am

00:51:41that they turned up

00:51:42in court today.

00:51:43I know what it's cost them.

00:51:46Quite.

00:51:47Two of the witnesses,

00:51:48Mr Moore and Mr Dean,

00:51:50have said in evidence

00:51:51that they have been

00:51:51your lovers for ten years.

00:51:53I don't like that word.

00:51:55What word,

00:51:56Mrs Erie?

00:51:57Lover.

00:51:57It has

00:51:59sordid connotations.

00:52:02Well, what word

00:52:03would you use

00:52:03to describe your association

00:52:04with these three men?

00:52:06Friends.

00:52:08Loving friends.

00:52:10I mean,

00:52:11well, it wasn't just sex,

00:52:13if you take my meaning,

00:52:14my lord.

00:52:15Indeed.

00:52:17Mr Sissons?

00:52:19Mrs Erie,

00:52:20Mr Wills

00:52:21has said in evidence

00:52:22that you and he

00:52:22enjoyed an association

00:52:25for seven years.

00:52:26Yes.

00:52:27I'm a very lucky woman

00:52:29to have known

00:52:29three such wonderful men

00:52:31for so long.

00:52:32They all give you money?

00:52:34Oh, yes.

00:52:35They're very generous.

00:52:36How much money

00:52:37did they give you?

00:52:38Well,

00:52:38I never really worked it out.

00:52:41Well,

00:52:41they seem to have given you

00:52:42presents and money

00:52:43to the value

00:52:43of about

00:52:44ten thousand pounds a year.

00:52:46Well,

00:52:46if they say so,

00:52:47then it must be so.

00:52:48As I said,

00:52:48they're very generous.

00:52:50Now,

00:52:50these were all gifts,

00:52:52were they not?

00:52:52Yes.

00:52:53And as such,

00:52:54not liable to tax?

00:52:56That's my understanding,

00:52:57Mr Sissons.

00:52:58Mrs Erie,

00:52:59did these three men

00:53:00all appear willingly

00:53:00to give evidence in court?

00:53:02Well,

00:53:02of course.

00:53:03How could I force them to

00:53:03if they didn't want to?

00:53:04You didn't subpoena them.

00:53:07Whatever that is,

00:53:07no,

00:53:08I didn't.

00:53:08You didn't threaten them

00:53:09or issue them with a writ

00:53:10demanding their appearance?

00:53:12Of course I didn't.

00:53:13Thank you,

00:53:14Mrs Erie.

00:53:19Mrs Erie.

00:53:22You know

00:53:23what a prostitute is.

00:53:26Yes,

00:53:26of course.

00:53:27Yes,

00:53:27how would you describe

00:53:28a prostitute?

00:53:30Well,

00:53:30a woman who takes

00:53:32money for sex,

00:53:33I suppose.

00:53:34Yes,

00:53:34and you say

00:53:35that's what you are doing?

00:53:36Certainly not.

00:53:39And how would you

00:53:39describe your activities

00:53:40with these three men,

00:53:41Mrs Erie?

00:53:42Perfectly respectable.

00:53:43Respectable,

00:53:44Mrs Erie?

00:53:44Well,

00:53:45I'm certainly not a prostitute.

00:53:47I'm very fond of

00:53:48Arthur,

00:53:48George,

00:53:49and Raymond.

00:53:50And I'm completely

00:53:51faithful to them.

00:53:51I haven't looked

00:53:52at another man.

00:53:53They know that.

00:53:53Well,

00:53:54if your story is true,

00:53:55Mrs Erie,

00:53:55you did rather more

00:53:56than Luke,

00:53:57since you were unfaithful

00:53:58with each of them,

00:53:59apparently without

00:54:00the other's name.

00:54:01That's not being unfaithful.

00:54:03I admit they didn't know

00:54:04of each other's existence,

00:54:05but that isn't being unfaithful.

00:54:08And how would you

00:54:08describe your conduct,

00:54:09Mrs Erie?

00:54:11Sensible.

00:54:12Sensible?

00:54:13Yes,

00:54:13well,

00:54:14men are so odd

00:54:16about these sort of things,

00:54:17they have no sense

00:54:17of perspective.

00:54:19Could you explain that,

00:54:20Mrs Erie?

00:54:21Well,

00:54:22you see,

00:54:23I met Arthur and Raymond

00:54:25at about the same time.

00:54:25Now,

00:54:25that's Mr Moore

00:54:26and Mr Dean.

00:54:27Yes.

00:54:28Well,

00:54:28what woman could resist Raymond?

00:54:30He's so masterful.

00:54:32While

00:54:33Arthur's so attractive

00:54:34and passionate.

00:54:37Well,

00:54:37perhaps it was wrong of me,

00:54:38but

00:54:38I just couldn't choose

00:54:40between them.

00:54:41But why not Mrs Erie?

00:54:42I mean,

00:54:42most women

00:54:43quite successively

00:54:44choose a single suitor.

00:54:46Why not you?

00:54:47Well,

00:54:47most women

00:54:48aren't as lucky

00:54:48as I was.

00:54:49I mean,

00:54:49some don't have

00:54:50any choice at all.

00:54:51Yes.

00:54:52Well,

00:54:52even Paris succeeded

00:54:53in choosing

00:54:54between three goddesses.

00:54:56I don't know

00:54:56who he was,

00:54:57but two of them

00:54:58can't have been

00:54:58much good,

00:54:59can they?

00:55:00You see,

00:55:01Mrs Erie,

00:55:02you don't seem

00:55:03to have made

00:55:03any effort

00:55:04to choose

00:55:05between any of them.

00:55:06Oh,

00:55:06I did.

00:55:07Ah.

00:55:08Well,

00:55:09I thought that

00:55:09if I got to know

00:55:10them both very well,

00:55:11well,

00:55:11I'd be bound

00:55:12to prefer one of them

00:55:13after a while.

00:55:14After a while,

00:55:15Mrs Erie?

00:55:15You've known Mr Moore

00:55:16and Mr Dean

00:55:17for ten years.

00:55:18When are you going

00:55:18to come to a decision?

00:55:20Well,

00:55:20it hasn't been easy.

00:55:22In fact,

00:55:23it's been impossible.

00:55:25They're all so gorgeous.

00:55:28And in any case,

00:55:29a Paul happened.

00:55:30Yes,

00:55:30your younger son.

00:55:32Yes.

00:55:33Both Raymond and Arthur

00:55:34were so pleased.

00:55:35Yes,

00:55:35you apparently told

00:55:36both of them

00:55:37that they were

00:55:37the father.

00:55:38Yes,

00:55:39well,

00:55:39perhaps that wasn't

00:55:40quite right of me,

00:55:41but you see,

00:55:41I didn't know

00:55:42which the real father was,

00:55:43did I?

00:55:43I mean,

00:55:43it could have been Arthur,

00:55:44it could have been Raymond.

00:55:45Didn't you say?

00:55:46They were both paying you

00:55:47large sums of money.

00:55:48That didn't come into it.

00:55:50How did Mr Wills

00:55:52come into it then?

00:55:54George?

00:55:55But I didn't meet George

00:55:57until Paul was three.

00:55:58Yes,

00:55:58so why did you start a,

00:56:01what do you call it,

00:56:02a loving friendship

00:56:04with Mr Wills?

00:56:06He completely swept me

00:56:08off my feet.

00:56:10Yes,

00:56:11you would appear

00:56:12to be extremely insecure

00:56:13on your feet,

00:56:14Mrs Ehrie.

00:56:14Not at all.

00:56:16George is,

00:56:17well,

00:56:18I mean,

00:56:19he,

00:56:19he just needs someone.

00:56:21At first,

00:56:22I began by feeling

00:56:23sorry for him,

00:56:23but then,

00:56:25well,

00:56:25he's very dashing.

00:56:26Yes,

00:56:27and of course,

00:56:27as you say,

00:56:27he was willing to pay you

00:56:28£2,000 a year.

00:56:30I never mentioned money

00:56:31to George.

00:56:32Ah,

00:56:32your relationship

00:56:33with Mr Wills

00:56:34was such that you

00:56:35put it beyond price.

00:56:36I don't know

00:56:37what you mean.

00:56:38Did you ever discuss money

00:56:39with Mr Moore

00:56:40and Mr Dean?

00:56:42Well,

00:56:42well,

00:56:44not really.

00:56:45Ah,

00:56:46that's an evasive answer,

00:56:47Mrs Ehrie.

00:56:48Did you discuss money,

00:56:49yes or no?

00:56:52It sometimes came

00:56:53into the conversation.

00:56:54Please answer,

00:56:55yes or no,

00:56:56Mrs Ehrie.

00:56:57My lord,

00:56:57I can't.

00:56:58What cannot you do,

00:56:59Mrs Ehrie?

00:57:00Answer yes or no.

00:57:02Why not?

00:57:03Well,

00:57:03some questions

00:57:04just can't be answered

00:57:05that simply.

00:57:06Yes,

00:57:07I agree,

00:57:07questions of opinion

00:57:08can very rarely

00:57:09be answered simply,

00:57:10but this is a question

00:57:10of fact.

00:57:11Either you did discuss

00:57:12money with Mr Moore

00:57:13and Mr Dean

00:57:13or you did not.

00:57:18All right then,

00:57:19I did.

00:57:19You did discuss

00:57:20money with them?

00:57:21Yes.

00:57:22How much they should

00:57:23contribute each month?

00:57:24It wasn't like that.

00:57:26They knew how much

00:57:27I needed for the

00:57:28children's education,

00:57:29that's all.

00:57:29Yes,

00:57:30but both of them

00:57:30claimed to have been

00:57:31paying for the same child.

00:57:32Well,

00:57:33I can't help that.

00:57:33I've got two children.

00:57:34Yes,

00:57:34and two fathers

00:57:35paying for one child.

00:57:36Oh,

00:57:37really?

00:57:37All you men

00:57:37make such a fuss

00:57:38about these things.

00:57:41What?

00:57:42About paying school fees?

00:57:43No,

00:57:43about being fathers.

00:57:46Fatherhood,

00:57:46as though it was

00:57:47something wonderful,

00:57:47you know,

00:57:48actually is a bit

00:57:48of a fraud.

00:57:49Well,

00:57:50I mean,

00:57:50men don't get pregnant.

00:57:52Men don't produce children.

00:57:54A man just happens

00:57:55along at the right moment,

00:57:56so why on earth

00:57:57should it matter

00:57:57who's the biological father?

00:57:59It matters in law,

00:58:00Mrs. Ehrie.

00:58:01The law.

00:58:02Look,

00:58:02why should Timmy suffer

00:58:04just because Paul

00:58:05was lucky enough

00:58:05to have two fathers?

00:58:07So you lied

00:58:08to Mr. Moore

00:58:09and to Mr. Dean,

00:58:10as you lie

00:58:11to the Inman Revenue.

00:58:13You make it sound

00:58:14so cold-blooded.

00:58:15Well,

00:58:15wasn't it,

00:58:16Mrs. Ehrie?

00:58:17I didn't tell lies

00:58:18at all.

00:58:18Well,

00:58:18what did you do then?

00:58:20Well,

00:58:20I didn't know

00:58:21which the real father was,

00:58:22did I?

00:58:23So,

00:58:23so I arranged a test.

00:58:25Oh,

00:58:26a test?

00:58:28What sort of test?

00:58:30Well,

00:58:30I told each of them

00:58:31I was pregnant.

00:58:33That was your test?

00:58:35Yes.

00:58:36Well,

00:58:37I mean,

00:58:37most men would have

00:58:38run a mile

00:58:39and wash their hands

00:58:40of the whole thing,

00:58:40wouldn't they?

00:58:41But not Arthur and Raymond.

00:58:43They stood by me.

00:58:45They're wonderful men.

00:58:47Yes,

00:58:47but you see,

00:58:47I see one flaw

00:58:48in your argument,

00:58:49Mrs. Ehrie.

00:58:50Well,

00:58:50what's that?

00:58:51Well,

00:58:51why didn't you accept

00:58:52the first one

00:58:53who passed your test?

00:58:54The one who accepted

00:58:55his responsibilities?

00:58:56Why did you have to

00:58:57test both of them?

00:58:59Well,

00:58:59that wouldn't be fair.

00:59:00Why?

00:59:01Well,

00:59:01because the one

00:59:02that stood by me

00:59:03might not have been

00:59:03the child's father.

00:59:05Yes,

00:59:05but you just told the court

00:59:06that biological fatherhood

00:59:08is irrelevant.

00:59:09Well,

00:59:11do you know,

00:59:12that's awfully clever.

00:59:13I never thought

00:59:13of it like that.

00:59:16Oh,

00:59:16come now,

00:59:17Mrs. Ehrie.

00:59:17Are you really asking

00:59:18the court to believe

00:59:19that you hoodwinked

00:59:20both these men

00:59:21into paying

00:59:22Paul's school fees?

00:59:24Well,

00:59:24not hoodwinked.

00:59:26They stood by me

00:59:27because they've both

00:59:28got a sense

00:59:28of responsibility.

00:59:30Is either of them

00:59:30the real father

00:59:31of your child?

00:59:32Well,

00:59:32of course they are.

00:59:33What do you take me for,

00:59:34Mr. Parsons?

00:59:35A very clever woman,

00:59:36Mrs. Ehrie.

00:59:37Isn't it rather

00:59:38a coincidence

00:59:39that the two men

00:59:40you say you chose

00:59:41to father your bastard

00:59:42are both wealthy?

00:59:44My lord,

00:59:44that's insulting.

00:59:44That between them

00:59:45they are both

00:59:45paying Paul's school fees

00:59:47twice over?

00:59:49In fact,

00:59:50you're employing

00:59:50the same ingenious device

00:59:51to solve the paternity problem

00:59:53as you did

00:59:54as you did to create

00:59:55a defence

00:59:55to this case

00:59:56of defrauding

00:59:57the inland revenue.

00:59:58I don't know

00:59:59what you mean.

00:59:59Well,

01:00:00the unprovable paternity,

01:00:02the untraceable sources

01:00:03of income,

01:00:04they are all of a piece,

01:00:05are they not?

01:00:06Well,

01:00:06of course these gifts

01:00:07are untraceable.

01:00:09Really,

01:00:09what do you expect me to do?

01:00:11Demand a receipt of purchase

01:00:12from everyone

01:00:13who gives me a present?

01:00:16What is the colour scheme

01:00:18of your bedroom,

01:00:19Mrs. Ehrie?

01:00:21White and gold.

01:00:22White and gold.

01:00:23Not pink or blue.

01:00:25No.

01:00:26Now,

01:00:26I wonder why

01:00:27Mr. Moore

01:00:28and Mr. Dean

01:00:29made such a mistake.

01:00:30I have no idea.

01:00:32Are they still

01:00:33your lovers?

01:00:35I'm sorry.

01:00:36Your loving friends?

01:00:38Of course they are.

01:00:40At least,

01:00:41I hope so.

01:00:42Yes,

01:00:43well,

01:00:43you don't sound too sure.

01:00:44Of course not.

01:00:46Yet,

01:00:47strangely enough,

01:00:47they can't remember

01:00:48the colour of your bedroom.

01:00:49Well,

01:00:50look,

01:00:50perhaps they forgot.

01:00:51Look,

01:00:52why should they come here

01:00:54and give evidence

01:00:54on my behalf?

01:00:55Why should they give me presents

01:00:57if they didn't love me?

01:00:58Well,

01:00:58according to Mr. Gordon,

01:00:59Mr. Wills

01:01:00didn't even remember you

01:01:01at first.

01:01:02He was frightened.

01:01:05Yes.

01:01:06And what made him

01:01:07change his mind?

01:01:08I don't know.

01:01:10Was it you?

01:01:12Did you talk to him?

01:01:14I rang him up,

01:01:15yes.

01:01:17Let's face it,

01:01:18Mrs. Ehrie,

01:01:18these men

01:01:19didn't have much

01:01:20alternative,

01:01:20did they?

01:01:21Well,

01:01:21of course they did.

01:01:22They're all married.

01:01:24Yes.

01:01:25What's that got to do with it?

01:01:26Well,

01:01:26if they hadn't have

01:01:27told the line,

01:01:27you might have gone

01:01:28and spoken to their wives.

01:01:30Well,

01:01:30I wouldn't do a thing like that.

01:01:31That's blackmail.

01:01:32You've known these men

01:01:33a long time,

01:01:34have you not,

01:01:34Mrs. Ehrie?

01:01:35Yes.

01:01:36You must know

01:01:36a lot about them.

01:01:38I suppose so.

01:01:39About their business affairs,

01:01:40their personal lives,

01:01:41their various peculiarities.

01:01:43Yes.

01:01:44Things they would rather

01:01:45the world didn't know about.

01:01:46Perhaps.

01:01:48Well,

01:01:48let's face it,

01:01:48you're in a very privileged position,

01:01:50are you not,

01:01:51Mrs. Ehrie?

01:01:53Look,

01:01:53if you're implying

01:01:54that I blackmailed

01:01:56these men

01:01:56into coming and giving evidence,

01:01:57you should be struck or...

01:01:58Well,

01:01:58that is a possibility

01:01:59I have raised

01:02:00for the jury to consider.

01:02:03Well,

01:02:03I didn't.

01:02:05Ask them.

01:02:06My lord,

01:02:06I must protest

01:02:07my learned friend's line

01:02:08of questioning.

01:02:09There is no evidential basis

01:02:11for accusing my client

01:02:12of blackmail.

01:02:13I think Mr. Parsons

01:02:14is entitled to suggest

01:02:15that Mrs. Ehrie

01:02:16had an influence

01:02:16over these men

01:02:17and that she might have

01:02:18used it to force them

01:02:19to assist her

01:02:20with suitable evidence,

01:02:20but she has denied it,

01:02:22so I think we should

01:02:23move on to another point.

01:02:24Thank you, my lord.

01:02:25As your lordship pleases.

01:02:28Mrs. Ehrie,

01:02:28how many assistants

01:02:29do you employ

01:02:30in your hairdressing salon?

01:02:32Two.

01:02:32Now,

01:02:33if my wife wanted

01:02:33to have her hair done,

01:02:34how would she go about it?

01:02:37Just ring up

01:02:38and make an appointment.

01:02:39Yes,

01:02:39and you or your assistants

01:02:40would make a note of it.

01:02:42Well, yes,

01:02:43it would be written

01:02:44in the appointments book.

01:02:45Yes,

01:02:45so this appointments book

01:02:47is the only permanent record

01:02:48of a fact

01:02:49that you did someone's hair.

01:02:51Yes,

01:02:52except for the hairdo.

01:02:53Yes,

01:02:54so it would be true

01:02:55to say,

01:02:55would it not,

01:02:55that your appointments book

01:02:56provides the only real evidence

01:02:59of the amount of business

01:03:00you actually do.

01:03:02Yes,

01:03:02I suppose, sir.

01:03:03Now,

01:03:04let us suppose

01:03:05for a moment

01:03:05that you only put down

01:03:07every alternate customer.

01:03:09Now,

01:03:10what would be the result

01:03:10of that,

01:03:11Mrs. Eirey?

01:03:13Utter confusion.

01:03:15Yes,

01:03:16but profitable.

01:03:17I don't know what you mean.

01:03:18Well,

01:03:19you'd do twice the volume

01:03:20of business

01:03:20showing your appointment book,

01:03:21would you not?

01:03:23Yes.

01:03:24So you'll be taxed

01:03:25in only half

01:03:26the real volume

01:03:27of your business.

01:03:29Yes,

01:03:29but that would be criminal.

01:03:30Yes,

01:03:31precisely,

01:03:31Mrs. Eirey.

01:03:32Don't run my business

01:03:33that way,

01:03:34Mr. Parsons.

01:03:34Well, that is for the jury

01:03:35to decide.

01:03:36Did you have a multiplicity

01:03:38of lovers

01:03:38or a multiplicity

01:03:39of customers?

01:03:40I only had three.

01:03:41What, customers?

01:03:42Lovers.

01:03:43Oh, yes.

01:03:44Yes.

01:03:46Mr. Wills

01:03:47on Mondays and Fridays,

01:03:49Mr. Moore

01:03:49on Tuesdays and Thursdays,

01:03:51and Mr. Dean

01:03:52on Saturdays and Sundays.

01:03:54Yes.

01:03:55Which leaves

01:03:55Wednesdays free.

01:03:57That's my night

01:03:58for Scottish country dancing.

01:04:00Oh, yes.

01:04:01Yes, of course.

01:04:03Now, what about

01:04:03the Russian language lessons?

01:04:06I gave those up

01:04:06when I met George.

01:04:07You know,

01:04:08I wasn't getting anywhere

01:04:09with Russian.

01:04:10The alphabet's frankly difficult.

01:04:11Mrs. Eirey,

01:04:11are you honestly

01:04:13asking this jury

01:04:14to believe

01:04:15that for seven years

01:04:17you had three

01:04:18regular lovers,

01:04:20none of whom

01:04:20knew of each other's existence?

01:04:23Yes.

01:04:26Then I have

01:04:27no further questions.

01:04:28Mrs. Eirey,

01:04:31did you blackmail

01:04:33or in any way

01:04:34force Mr. Moore,

01:04:35Mr. Dean

01:04:36and Mr. Wills

01:04:36to give evidence

01:04:37in this court?

01:04:39I did not.

01:04:40They are here

01:04:40of their own free will.

01:04:42They are.

01:04:43Did you defraud

01:04:44the Inland Revenue

01:04:45by keeping a false record

01:04:46of your customers?

01:04:48I did not.

01:04:49Are the accounts

01:04:49which you submitted

01:04:50to the Inland Revenue

01:04:51to the best of your knowledge

01:04:52accurate?

01:04:53They are.

01:04:54Thank you, Mrs. Eirey.

01:04:56That is all.

01:04:57That concludes

01:04:58the case with the defence,

01:04:59my lord.

01:05:00May I leave

01:05:01the witness box,

01:05:02Mrs. Eirey?

01:05:03Thank you, my lord.

01:05:13We will now adjourn

01:05:15for 20 minutes

01:05:16and then begin

01:05:18the closing speeches.

01:05:19All stand.

01:05:20All stand.

01:05:43Mr. Parsons.

01:05:45May I please,

01:05:46your lordship?

01:05:47Members of the jury,

01:05:48we in this court

01:05:50have the pleasure

01:05:51of listening

01:05:52to one of the most

01:05:52unusual and ingenious

01:05:54defences

01:05:54that it would be

01:05:55my pleasure to hear.

01:05:57In defending herself

01:05:58against the charge

01:05:59of defrauding

01:06:00the Inland Revenue,

01:06:01Mrs. Eirey

01:06:02has confessed

01:06:03to a life

01:06:04of moral turpitude.

01:06:06Now, in the year

01:06:06in question,

01:06:07she doesn't deny

01:06:08living at a rate

01:06:09of £10,000 a year

01:06:10on an income

01:06:11of £1,580.

01:06:15Now, in different

01:06:16circumstances,

01:06:17one might applaud

01:06:18this as a duplication

01:06:19of the miracle

01:06:19of the loaves

01:06:20and fishes.

01:06:21But, Mrs. Eirey

01:06:23has claimed

01:06:23that the reason

01:06:25for the discrepancy

01:06:26in these two figures

01:06:27was made up

01:06:27by gifts

01:06:28from her three lovers,

01:06:30Mr. Wills,

01:06:31Mr. Moore,

01:06:33and Mr. Dean.

01:06:35Now, you may recall

01:06:36that on the very first

01:06:37day of this trial,

01:06:39Mrs. Eirey

01:06:40had one witness,

01:06:41Mr. Wills.

01:06:42And you may also recall

01:06:43that even he

01:06:44was rather

01:06:45a reluctant participant,

01:06:46having first of all

01:06:47denied knowing

01:06:48Mrs. Eirey

01:06:48when questioned

01:06:49by the tax inspector.

01:06:51But lo and behold,

01:06:52she then decided,

01:06:54and I quote,

01:06:55I don't think

01:06:56my case is going

01:06:57all that well.

01:06:59She then asked

01:07:00his lordship

01:07:01if she might call

01:07:02another witness,

01:07:03or perhaps even two.

01:07:04Well, as we know,

01:07:05members of the jury,

01:07:06it was two,

01:07:07Mr. Moore

01:07:08and Mr. Dean.

01:07:10Now,

01:07:10I certainly find

01:07:12it rather remarkable

01:07:13that with the arrival

01:07:14of these two new witnesses

01:07:15and their tales

01:07:17of extraordinary generosity,

01:07:19that the magic figure

01:07:20of £10,260

01:07:23was reached

01:07:24almost to the nearest pound.

01:07:27Now, so far,

01:07:27we've seen no proof

01:07:28of these gifts,

01:07:29and the three men involved

01:07:31were uncertain

01:07:32as to how

01:07:32and when the money

01:07:33was paid,

01:07:34or as to how

01:07:35their three annual totals

01:07:37were reached.

01:07:39But let us consider

01:07:40what else

01:07:41Mrs. Eirey

01:07:42is asking us

01:07:43to believe.

01:07:45She claims

01:07:46that for three years

01:07:47she saw

01:07:48Mr. Moore

01:07:49on Tuesdays

01:07:49and Thursdays,

01:07:50Mr. Dean

01:07:51on Saturdays

01:07:52and Sundays,

01:07:53and just for good measure

01:07:54she added

01:07:55Mr. Wills

01:07:56on Mondays

01:07:57and Fridays

01:07:58for the following

01:07:58seven years,

01:08:00and not one of them

01:08:01ever suspected

01:08:02the existence

01:08:03of the other two.

01:08:05Now, I suggest

01:08:06to you members

01:08:06of the jury

01:08:07that I don't deny

01:08:09that these three

01:08:10worthy gentlemen

01:08:11had at one time

01:08:13been lovers

01:08:14of Mrs. Eirey.

01:08:16So you may wonder

01:08:17why they chose

01:08:17to come into court

01:08:18and have this fact

01:08:19publicised.

01:08:21But I put it to

01:08:22members of the jury,

01:08:23had they not,

01:08:25Mrs. Eirey

01:08:25might have been tempted

01:08:26to divulge

01:08:27some even more

01:08:28succulent pieces

01:08:29of information

01:08:30about their business lives,

01:08:31their personal lives,

01:08:32or indeed

01:08:33their sex lives.

01:08:34who may have been

01:08:36the lesser of two evils

01:08:37for them

01:08:37to appear here

01:08:39before you.

01:08:40And I say

01:08:40that they did so

01:08:41simply to back up

01:08:43Mrs. Eirey's

01:08:44missing 9,000 pounds,

01:08:46that the gifts

01:08:47that they have suggested

01:08:48do not exist.

01:08:49The money comes

01:08:50from her business.

01:08:52And you will therefore

01:08:53find her guilty

01:08:54of defrauding

01:08:55the inland revenue.

01:08:58Mr. Sessons?

01:09:00My Lord,

01:09:01ladies and gentlemen

01:09:02of the jury,

01:09:04prosecution should be

01:09:05based on fact,

01:09:06not fantasy,

01:09:08on solid evidence,

01:09:09not innuendo.

01:09:11But what solid evidence

01:09:12has the prosecution

01:09:13provided?

01:09:15Accounts,

01:09:15bank statements,

01:09:16etc.,

01:09:17which show that

01:09:17in the year in question

01:09:18Mrs. Eirey lived

01:09:19at a rate far beyond

01:09:20that which she could

01:09:20afford from her

01:09:21hairdressing business.

01:09:22But my client

01:09:23does not deny this,

01:09:25and never has.

01:09:27She says that

01:09:27three friends

01:09:28gave her presents

01:09:29and money

01:09:30which enabled her

01:09:31to live in style.

01:09:33Moreover,

01:09:33these three men

01:09:34have all given

01:09:34evidence in this court

01:09:36on oath

01:09:36bearing out

01:09:37Mrs. Eirey's testimony.

01:09:39Now, members of the jury,

01:09:40what more do you want?

01:09:42Testimony has been given

01:09:43and corroborated.

01:09:45Don't, I beg you,

01:09:46be swayed by the

01:09:47prosecution's suggestions

01:09:48of blackmail.

01:09:50Suggestions are not proof,

01:09:52and the prosecution

01:09:53has proved nothing.

01:09:54Lastly, let me warn you

01:09:57against adopting

01:09:58a moral attitude.

01:10:00You may not like

01:10:01Mrs. Eirey's way of life.

01:10:02Indeed, you may be

01:10:03shocked and horrified

01:10:04by the manner

01:10:04in which she lives.

01:10:06But you must remember

01:10:07that sexual morality

01:10:08is a personal

01:10:09and private matter.

01:10:11And in any case,

01:10:12my client is not on trial

01:10:13for her morals,

01:10:14but for accounts

01:10:14submitted to the

01:10:15Inland Revenue.

01:10:17And from the evidence

01:10:17heard in this court,

01:10:19I submit that there is

01:10:20no proof

01:10:20that those accounts

01:10:22were anything but

01:10:22honest and accurate.

01:10:25I therefore submit

01:10:26that only one verdict

01:10:29is open to you.

01:10:30Not guilty.

01:10:34Ladies and gentlemen

01:10:35of the jury,

01:10:36you have heard the evidence

01:10:37and the arguments

01:10:38for both sides,

01:10:38and I don't intend to

01:10:40bore you by their repetition.

01:10:42My function

01:10:42is to clarify the law.

01:10:46And in this case,

01:10:46the law is quite clear.

01:10:48Gifts are not taxable,

01:10:50except where they come

01:10:50under capital gains tax.

01:10:52And those which

01:10:53Mrs. Airy is alleged

01:10:54to have received

01:10:54clearly do not.

01:10:56Now, members of the jury,

01:10:58I must warn you

01:10:59that many people

01:11:00regard defrauding

01:11:01the Inland Revenue

01:11:02as a very minor peccadillo.

01:11:05Everyone does it

01:11:06or would like to,

01:11:07so the argument runs,

01:11:08so what does it matter?

01:11:09But members of the jury,

01:11:10it does matter.

01:11:11Those who defraud

01:11:12the state

01:11:13defraud you and me,

01:11:15for we are the state.

01:11:17Now, the problem,

01:11:18therefore, before you

01:11:19is quite simple.

01:11:21Do you,

01:11:21beyond all reasonable doubt,

01:11:24believe

01:11:24Mrs. Airy's testimony?

01:11:27Do you accept

01:11:28the evidence

01:11:28of her three witnesses,

01:11:30Mr. Wills,

01:11:31Mr. Moore,

01:11:32and Mr. Deal?

01:11:34Do you believe

01:11:35that the extra money

01:11:37which Mrs. Airy

01:11:39is alleged to have received

01:11:40came from these three men,

01:11:42her alleged lovers?

01:11:43If you do,

01:11:46then you must find her

01:11:47not guilty

01:11:47of defrauding

01:11:48the Inland Revenue.

01:11:50But if you do not

01:11:51believe her testimony,

01:11:52then you must find

01:11:53her guilty.

01:11:56You will now retire

01:11:57and consider your verdict.

01:11:59All stand.

01:11:59Members of the jury,

01:12:10will your foreman

01:12:10please stand.

01:12:12Just answer this question,

01:12:13yes or no,

01:12:14have you reached a verdict

01:12:15upon which you are

01:12:16all agreed?

01:12:17Yes.

01:12:18Do you find the prisoner

01:12:19guilty or not guilty?

01:12:21Guilty.

01:12:22Is that the verdict

01:12:22of your foreman?

01:12:23Silence in court!

01:12:30Mrs. Barbara Airy,

01:12:32you have been found

01:12:33guilty of defrauding

01:12:34the Inland Revenue.

01:12:36Do you have anything

01:12:37to say before

01:12:38I pass sentence?

01:12:53Mrs. Airy was sentenced

01:12:59to nine months

01:13:00imprisonment.

01:13:01A chance for you

01:13:02to join another jury

01:13:03when our cameras return

01:13:04to the Crown Court.

01:13:05The Inland Revenue.

Crown Court - The Night for Country Dancing (1973)

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