Crown Court - Persimmons & Dishwashers (1973) - video Dailymotion

Jezza

Crown Court: the gripping courtroom drama from the 1970s and 1980s.  "Fulchester's notorious Curl brothers are accused of demanding money with menaces and GBH. The court will hear that the brothers had been conducting a reign of terror over Fulchester's club and bar owners through a Chicago-style protection racket. After refusing to pay the brothers for protection, a number of club owners suffered injuries ranging from falls downstairs, feet burned with electric fires, and attacks with hammers. Indeed, one of the brothers' own enforcers has disappeared and is believed to have been buried under the new M16 motorway foundations. The defence insists that the brothers are legitimate businessmen." - IMDB  An exemplary performance from Charles Keating in this one. Harry Fowler also stars.

Transcript

00:00:00You need protection, said the big fellow who called on the club owner.

00:00:21I don't, replied the club owner.

00:00:23But two days later, it seems he did need protection after all.

00:00:28The club was wrecked and the club owner beaten up.

00:00:32Next time the big fellow called, the club owner paid up.

00:00:36And that's how the protection racket works, on violence and on fear of violence.

00:00:41In the Fulchester Crown Court today, we have the case of the Queen versus George and Arnold Curl.

00:00:48The charges are conspiring to commit grievous bodily harm and conspiring to demand money with menaces.

00:00:53Are George and Arnold Curl the kings of Fulchester's protection racket?

00:00:58Chief Inspector Crane, please.

00:01:18Chief Inspector Crane, please.

00:01:20I swear by almighty God that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

00:01:38One moment, Mr. Elliot.

00:01:42The accused will show respect in this court.

00:01:45This is not a social occasion. You're facing a very serious charge.

00:01:49I'm sure my client's been no disrespect, my lord.

00:01:51Sorry, my lord.

00:01:53Continue, Mr. Elliot.

00:01:55Chief Inspector Norman Crane, Fulchester, CID.

00:01:59Chief Inspector, you led the investigation that has brought George and Arnold Curl into this court.

00:02:04Yes, I did.

00:02:05Hi, Inspector.

00:02:06Stephen Telfer is the owner of a gambling and drinking club, the Bent Banana.

00:02:10The Bent Banana.

00:02:12Yes, my lord. That is the name of the club.

00:02:15I understand that surrealistic names are in vogue at the present time, my lord.

00:02:19So it would appear.

00:02:21Continue, Mr. Elliot.

00:02:23Inspector, how did you come to know Mr. Telfer?

00:02:26Well, he's been in the club business for some time.

00:02:28He started off at the cafe and graduated to restaurants and strip clubs.

00:02:34And he has just recently opened this gambling and drinking club, the Bent Banana.

00:02:39When did you first take a professional interest in Mr. Telfer?

00:02:42It was about six years ago, when it was brought to my notice that one of his clubs, Lord Jim's,

00:02:48was becoming a resort of criminals and other undesirables.

00:02:52So you went to see him?

00:02:53Yes, I did.

00:02:54Did you find him cooperative?

00:02:55Not at first, but he became cooperative in the end.

00:02:57In what way was he cooperative?

00:02:59He assisted me by passing on information.

00:03:02In fact, he became helpful to you as an informer.

00:03:05Yes, that is right.

00:03:06Was it through, Mr. Telfer, that you first heard of the activities of George and Arnold Curl?

00:03:10My lord, that is hearsay.

00:03:11Ergo, therefore, inadmissible.

00:03:15I'm obliged for the translation, Mr. Latterby.

00:03:17It was for the jury's benefit, my lord.

00:03:19Ah.

00:03:20I'm no doubt they're duly grateful.

00:03:22Mr. Elliot, you will rephrase.

00:03:24Look, Inspector, did Telfer give you information relative to the charges in this case?

00:03:29Yes, he did, but I had heard rumours beforehand.

00:03:32But there were no official complaints.

00:03:34This is the first complaint we've been able to bring to court.

00:03:37And what was it that convinced you that there was substance to Telfer's account of a protection racket?

00:03:41A load of Japanese dishwashers.

00:03:44I beg your pardon, Inspector?

00:03:46Japanese dishwashers, my lord.

00:03:48Inspector Crane refers to the mechanical variety, my lord.

00:03:51A make called Haiku, my lord, manufactured in Osaka, Japan.

00:03:55Indeed.

00:03:56I discovered that a number of clubs had suddenly installed several of these Japanese dishwashers.

00:04:01I fail to see why that should arouse your suspicion.

00:04:03Well, my lord, the dishwashers cost over 400 pounds each.

00:04:08And there was a most unusual servicing contract.

00:04:11Apart from the high cost, what was unusual, Inspector?

00:04:14Well, there was virtually no servicing at all, and yet everyone who bought one of these dishwashers

00:04:18had to pay a regular servicing charge, which varied with the size of the club.

00:04:22And what firm sold the dishwashers?

00:04:25GAC Supplies, Fulchester.

00:04:27And who were the directors of this firm?

00:04:29George and Arnold Curl.

00:04:31Do GAC supply anything other than dishwashers?

00:04:34Yes, towels.

00:04:37Hand towels, roller towels, any towels.

00:04:40In fact, any linen that is used by restaurants or clubs.

00:04:44Though I was rather surprised to find that a number of bookmaking establishments also took towels

00:04:48and pencils from GAC Supplies.

00:04:52Would you expect bookmakers to have much use for towels?

00:04:55No, sir.

00:04:56And what else do GAC supply?

00:04:58Persimmons.

00:05:00Persimmons, Inspector?

00:05:01A fruit, my lord.

00:05:02Yes, I am aware of that, Mr Elliot.

00:05:03Victor, do you mean to tell the court that gambling clubs and bookmaking establishments ordered persimmons?

00:05:08Yes, my lord.

00:05:09The clubs had regular orders for persimmons from GAC Supplies.

00:05:12In fact, some clubs took as many as four boxes a week.

00:05:16Were the persimmons expensive?

00:05:18They varied in price.

00:05:20Some clubs pay as little as £10 a week, others as much as £100 a week.

00:05:24For persimmons?

00:05:25So the management told me.

00:05:27A lot of fruit?

00:05:27One would imagine so.

00:05:29Yet, whenever I or any of my men visited various clubs and asked for persimmons, we were always told that they were unavailable.

00:05:36Inspector, do you know of any club owners or bookmakers who have refused to purchase dishwashers, towels or persimmons from GAC Supplies?

00:05:42Only two.

00:05:44Billy Holmes and Jack Levy.

00:05:45Did anything happen to them?

00:05:47Billy Holmes slipped on the stairs in his house and broke his arm and leg.

00:05:52You know this for a fact?

00:05:53Yes, I went to see him in hospital and that was the explanation he gave me.

00:05:56Have you reason to doubt this explanation?

00:05:58Yes, I have.

00:05:59Why?

00:06:00He lives in a bungalow, sir.

00:06:03Does Mr Holmes still refuse to do business with GAC Supplies?

00:06:07No, sir. I understand Mr Holmes now takes two boxes of persimmons a week.

00:06:12Does he own a restaurant?

00:06:13No, he's a bookmaker.

00:06:16I see.

00:06:17You mentioned a second gentleman who was resistant to the Curl Brothers.

00:06:21Yes, Jack Levy. He runs a small drinking club.

00:06:23Anything happen to him?

00:06:25Yes, he fell onto an electric fire.

00:06:27And what injury did he sustain?

00:06:29The first degree burns to the soles of his feet and the backs of his thighs.

00:06:33The soles of his feet?

00:06:34Are we to believe that he stood on an electric fire with bare feet?

00:06:38Apparently so, sir.

00:06:39Also with no trousers on.

00:06:41At least that was the explanation that he gave me.

00:06:43Has he ordered persimmons?

00:06:45I don't know, but he has installed a haiku dishwasher, which he has purchased from GAC Supplies.

00:06:51GAC Supplies would appear to have a very effective sales force.

00:06:55Who is their chief salesman?

00:06:56Well, I don't know if he's a salesman or not, but Arthur Herbert McGraw has been seen calling on various club owners.

00:07:02He works for George and Arnold Curl.

00:07:04He is an associate of theirs.

00:07:06You know this for a fact.

00:07:08McGraw was in Reading Jail five years ago at the same time as George Curl.

00:07:12They call McGraw Dangerous Dan.

00:07:15It's the name of a character in a children's comic, my lord.

00:07:18McGraw is said to look very much like him.

00:07:20McGraw is then known to the police?

00:07:22Yes, he has a criminal record.

00:07:24Assault, robbery with violence, grievous bodily harm.

00:07:27Is this relevant unless the prosecution is proposing to call this man as a witness?

00:07:31Mr Elliot, are you proposing to call Mr McGraw?

00:07:34I don't see his name down in the list of witnesses.

00:07:35You know, my lord.

00:07:36I understand from Inspector Crane that he is unable to appear.

00:07:39Well, why is that? He would appear to be a most important witness.

00:07:42Indeed, my lord. He would be a most important witness.

00:07:45Well, then, where is he?

00:07:48Inspector Crane, where is Mr McGraw?

00:07:50Well, according to information recently received, my lord,

00:07:53McGraw is under the new stretch of the M16 motorway.

00:07:56They're building between Fulchester and the Fylde.

00:07:59I take it, Inspector, that you are of the opinion that Mr McGraw is dead?

00:08:03Yes, my lord.

00:08:04We are trying to recover his body, but the motorway consists of three lanes

00:08:07on either side of a central reservation,

00:08:09and since McGraw's disappearance, nearly half a mile of concrete has been laid.

00:08:13Lord, I must protest in my learned friend's melodramatic disclosures.

00:08:17I shall be, learned friend, that this melodrama is not of my making.

00:08:20My learned friend appears to be trying to imply that my clients are in some way

00:08:23connected with the disappearance of this Mr McGraw.

00:08:26Gentlemen, we are here to try the case of the Crown v. George and Arnold Curl.

00:08:31Now, any case connected with the disappearance of Mr McGraw

00:08:34will no doubt appear at another time in another court.

00:08:36Now, let us proceed.

00:08:37My lord, Inspector, did Stephen Telfer, the owner of the Bent Banana,

00:08:41do business with GAC supplies?

00:08:43No, he didn't.

00:08:44Did he receive a visit from someone connected with the firm?

00:08:47Yes, he received a visit from George Curl.

00:08:50My lord, Mrs Telfer, the injured man's wife, will corroborate this in her evidence.

00:08:54My lord, Inspector, what did George Curl want?

00:08:56Well, according to the statement made by Mr Telfer,

00:09:00George Curl wanted to sell him a haiku dishwasher

00:09:02or a regular supply of persimmons or linen.

00:09:06Did he agree to this proposition?

00:09:07No, he didn't.

00:09:08Did he subsequently receive a visit from McGraw?

00:09:11Yes, he did.

00:09:12And what was the result of this visit?

00:09:14McGraw said very little, I understand.

00:09:16He never did have a reputation as a talker.

00:09:20He broke two tables, five chairs and the jaw of one of Mr Telfer's employees.

00:09:27A man by the name of William Sparrow, age 35, an ex-boxer.

00:09:31Mr Telfer employed him as a bouncer in his club.

00:09:33Did Mr Sparrow complain to the police?

00:09:36No, sir.

00:09:36Did Mr Telfer report the matter?

00:09:38Not at the time.

00:09:39When did he report it?

00:09:40In the statement he made to me in hospital.

00:09:42Is that a copy of the statement that Stephen Telfer made to you in hospital, Inspector?

00:09:46Exhibit number one, my lord.

00:09:47Very well.

00:09:50Yes, it is.

00:09:57Inspector Crane, did you subsequently question William Sparrow about this attack by McGraw?

00:10:01Yes, I did.

00:10:02Did he confirm Mr Telfer's account of how his jaw was broken?

00:10:06No.

00:10:07He said that he tripped and fell against a table.

00:10:09A table in Mr Telfer's club?

00:10:11Yes.

00:10:12What happened after Sparrow's accident?

00:10:14Did Telfer receive another visit from George Curl?

00:10:16Yes, he did.

00:10:17What did Mr Curl want?

00:10:18Mr Curl asked Mr Telfer if he was now interested in a regular supply of persimmons.

00:10:25The defendant used the word now?

00:10:27According to Mr Telfer, yes.

00:10:28Well, did he agree to do business this time?

00:10:30No, he didn't.

00:10:31No.

00:10:31What happened then?

00:10:33Then he, nothing for a week or two, and then Mr Curl came back and told Mr Telfer that

00:10:39this was his last chance to order from GAC Suppliers.

00:10:42Did he give Curl an order?

00:10:44No, he didn't.

00:10:45Please go on.

00:10:46Well, according to Mr Telfer, he was locking his club at about 3.30 on the morning of the

00:10:5119th of September when Arthur Herbert McGraw and two other men seized him and dragged him

00:10:57back into the club.

00:10:59Did McGraw say anything to him?

00:11:00According to Mr Telfer, he said, we've come to do you, Stevie.

00:11:05That's all?

00:11:06That's all.

00:11:07McGraw was not a noted conversationalist.

00:11:09And what did they do to Mr Telfer?

00:11:12Well, the two men held his right hand flat against the desk.

00:11:16McGraw smashed his fingers with a hammer.

00:11:17I wish to offer in evidence, my lord, a radiograph of Stephen Telfer's right hand taken at the

00:11:24Royal Infirmary Hospital at 6 a.m. on the morning of the 19th of September last.

00:11:29Exhibit number two.

00:11:30My learned friend has agreed to admitting this in evidence.

00:11:32Yes, very well.

00:11:34According to Dr Hayes, the casualty officer on duty at the time, three fingers were broken

00:11:38and two bones in the hand were also broken.

00:11:42Inspector, did Mr Telfer sustain any other injury?

00:11:45Yes, McGraw then beat him about the head with his hammer, rendering him unconscious.

00:11:50I wish to offer in evidence the relevant radiograph, my lord.

00:11:54Now, as can be seen, Mr McGraw not only knocked Stephen Telfer unconscious, he also fractured

00:11:59his skull in two places.

00:12:01This would be exhibit number three.

00:12:04Inspector, you were called to the hospital shortly after Mr Telfer was admitted.

00:12:07Yes, the policeman who found Telfer telephoned me.

00:12:09I arrived there in company with Detective Sergeant Walsh at 6.20 a.m.

00:12:15The statement made by Stephen Telfer is timed at 7.30 a.m.?

00:12:18That is correct.

00:12:20Was Mr Telfer fully conscious?

00:12:22Yes, he was.

00:12:23Was he able to talk coherently and clearly?

00:12:25As coherently and clearly as his injuries would permit.

00:12:28Detective Sergeant Walsh and Dr Hayes were both present when Stephen Telfer made his statement?

00:12:33Yes.

00:12:33Correct.

00:12:33Would you now read the statement made by Telfer beginning halfway down the page, please?

00:12:38It was Dangerous Dan.

00:12:40Mm-hmm.

00:12:42He said, it was Dangerous Dan what done me, him and two others.

00:12:48I asked him if he could identify the other men.

00:12:50He said, never seen them before.

00:12:53I asked him if by Dangerous Dan he meant Arthur Herbert McGraw.

00:12:56He said, yes.

00:12:58I asked him if he knew why he had been beaten up.

00:13:00He said, it was Georgie and Arnie Curl what put them onto me.

00:13:04And because I wouldn't pay up.

00:13:06They wanted me to buy a load of old rubbish.

00:13:09And then he became unconscious.

00:13:11And he's been in a coma ever since.

00:13:15Thank you, Inspector.

00:13:30Inspector, was Stephen Telfer one of your regular informants?

00:13:41Yes.

00:13:41What I understand is known among the criminal fraternity as a grass?

00:13:45Yes.

00:13:45Did you pay him?

00:13:47Pay him.

00:13:47For information, Inspector.

00:13:49Now, don't tell me you've never heard of the practice.

00:13:51Yes, I did pay him on occasions when his information was sufficiently valuable.

00:13:54It was sometimes valuable, wasn't it?

00:13:55Yes, it was.

00:13:56Have you paid him recently?

00:13:57No, not recently.

00:13:58Within the last four or five months prior to this appalling attack?

00:14:01Yes.

00:14:03It's true, is it not, that this information for which you paid Stephen Telfer was in no

00:14:08way connected with either my clients or Arthur McGraw?

00:14:11Yes, it was about a different crime.

00:14:13A safe breaking?

00:14:14Yes.

00:14:15Was the criminal ever caught and convicted?

00:14:16Yes, he was.

00:14:17So he's at present in prison?

00:14:18Yes.

00:14:20Was he ever an associate of Arthur Herbert McGraw?

00:14:22I don't believe so.

00:14:24Are you sure, Inspector?

00:14:26No, I'm not sure.

00:14:29Where does McGraw live?

00:14:31Or should I say, where did he live, presuming he's indeed forming part of the M16 motorway?

00:14:35I understand he operates mostly from London or Liverpool.

00:14:39He's what I believe is known as a strong-arm man.

00:14:42Yes.

00:14:42A thug whose particular talents are available for hire?

00:14:45Yes, you could put it that way.

00:14:47Anyone within the criminal fraternity might hire him.

00:14:49No, not anyone.

00:14:51Men like McGraw usually only work with people they know, people they can trust, people they

00:14:55have been inside with.

00:14:57That must limit their possibilities of employment considerably.

00:14:59Not necessarily.

00:15:01McGraw was inside quite a lot.

00:15:05Do you mean to tell us, Inspector, that McGraw, a man like McGraw, wouldn't work for someone

00:15:10he hadn't served time with?

00:15:12No, sir, but he would be very wary of any stranger approaching him.

00:15:16But he might agree in the end?

00:15:18I suppose.

00:15:18He might agree to beat up someone, someone a criminal believed had grasped on him, for

00:15:23example.

00:15:23That I wouldn't know.

00:15:26Now, this statement that Stephen Telfer's alleged to have made in the hospital, did he speak

00:15:30in a loud voice?

00:15:31No, he spoke normally.

00:15:33Normally?

00:15:34What, after being beaten about the head with a hammer, with two fractures in his skull?

00:15:38All I meant was that he spoke as coherently and clearly as his injuries would permit.

00:15:43Well, how would you know, Inspector?

00:15:44You're not a doctor.

00:15:45Well, Detective Sergeant Walsh and I were able to make out what he was saying.

00:15:49Well, that's not quite the same thing, is it, Inspector?

00:15:51Now, let's clarify this scene in the hospital room, shall we, for the jury's benefit.

00:15:58Now, you asked the questions and Mr Telfer made the answers and Detective Sergeant Walsh

00:16:04took it all down in shorthand.

00:16:05That's right.

00:16:05Was a Dr Hayes present in the room?

00:16:11Yes, he was.

00:16:12Did he stand beside you all the while you asked the questions?

00:16:14No, not all the while, but he was in the room.

00:16:16Would it surprise you to know, Inspector, that Dr Hayes heard your questions, but couldn't

00:16:21make out Mr Telfer's answers?

00:16:24My lord, I offer, in evidence, an affidavit by Dr Hayes.

00:16:29Mr Elliot, you're not proposing to call Dr Hayes?

00:16:32No, my lord.

00:16:32Then you have no objections to the affidavit?

00:16:34None at all, my lord.

00:16:35The statement made by Dr Hayes is not in question.

00:16:38The doctor was occupied trying to save Mr Telfer's life.

00:16:41It's not surprising he didn't hear all the details of Mr Telfer's statement.

00:16:44Yes, very well.

00:16:45Dr Hayes didn't hear any details of Mr Telfer's statement.

00:16:49Detective Sergeant Walsh and I did.

00:16:52Well, let's look at what Mr Telfer's alleged to have said.

00:16:55It was dangerous Dan what done me.

00:16:58Him and two others.

00:16:59He ends by saying, it was Georgie Curl what put them on to me.

00:17:05Are you sure of that name, Inspector?

00:17:06Yes, quite sure.

00:17:07He said the name distinctly, Georgie Curl.

00:17:09You repeated the name to him to make sure?

00:17:10Yes.

00:17:11I put it to you, Inspector, that you couldn't make out what he was saying either.

00:17:14That you wanted to hear the name Georgie Curl and so you suggested the name to him.

00:17:19No, sir.

00:17:20You said you knew Stephen Telfer well.

00:17:24Yes.

00:17:25You go to his club often?

00:17:26Sometimes.

00:17:27When seeking information?

00:17:28Yes.

00:17:28Never for social reasons?

00:17:31I don't quite know what you mean.

00:17:32I mean, Inspector, did you ever go to his club simply for a drink or a chat?

00:17:38Yes, I went there for a drink.

00:17:39But then a policeman is on duty 24 hours a day.

00:17:41Did you attend a birthday party given by Arnold Curl in a Fulchester hotel last year?

00:17:46Well, Inspector?

00:17:50Yes, I did.

00:17:51You were invited?

00:17:53Yes.

00:17:54Was that the first time you had met Arnold Curl socially?

00:17:58Well, Inspector?

00:18:00No, I had met him previously.

00:18:02Yes, you were...

00:18:03Did you not join a party that Georgie and Arnold Curl took along to Aintree Racecourse?

00:18:07Yes.

00:18:08You went along in Arnold Curl's car?

00:18:10Yes.

00:18:11You win any money at the races that day?

00:18:12I believe so.

00:18:13Two hundred pounds?

00:18:15Something like that.

00:18:16What horses did you back?

00:18:17I really can't remember.

00:18:18Do you gamble frequently on the horses, Inspector?

00:18:20I have a flutter now and again.

00:18:22Surely two hundred pounds winnings represents rather more than a flutter, Inspector.

00:18:26More like a full-blooded flight, I would have thought.

00:18:31Is it not true that on this particular occasion at Aintree, Arnold Curl placed the bets for you?

00:18:36He placed the bets for everyone.

00:18:38Yes, but in your case, he used his own money, did he not?

00:18:43No, sir.

00:18:45It wasn't the only race meeting you attended as the Curl's guest, was it?

00:18:48No, I went with them to Catterick later.

00:18:50Did you also win at Catterick?

00:18:52I believe so.

00:18:52Can you remember the precise amount?

00:18:54No, sir.

00:18:55Well, perhaps I can refresh your memory, Inspector.

00:18:57Is it not true that you won over 150 pounds at Catterick?

00:19:01It was nothing like that amount.

00:19:02About how much was it then, would you say?

00:19:03Under 20 pounds.

00:19:04Are you sure?

00:19:04No, I'm not sure, but it was a relatively small amount.

00:19:06You also attended their parties.

00:19:08Yes.

00:19:09Why?

00:19:10I wanted to observe them closely.

00:19:13Why?

00:19:14I had reason to believe that they were engaged in criminal activities.

00:19:18Do you attend the social functions of everyone whom you suspect of criminal activities, Inspector?

00:19:22No.

00:19:23The Curl's were something special.

00:19:26They were certainly generous in the extreme.

00:19:28That was not the reason.

00:19:30No?

00:19:31What was the reason, Inspector?

00:19:32There were rumours that someone was trying to start a London-style protection racket here in Fulchester.

00:19:39And you thought it was the Curls?

00:19:40I had reason to believe so, yes.

00:19:42These race trips, they suddenly stopped, did they not?

00:19:45Mm-hmm.

00:19:46Little flutters on the horses, there are not so little wins.

00:19:49The parties all ceased quite suddenly.

00:19:51Yes.

00:19:52And the next thing that happens is that you arrest George and Arnold Curl.

00:19:57Do Arthur Herbert McGraw ever go with you and the Curl brothers to the races?

00:20:02No.

00:20:03Oh, you saw him at one of their parties then, did you?

00:20:06No.

00:20:08But have you ever seen McGraw in the company of the Curl brothers?

00:20:11No, sir.

00:20:13But you said you were sure he was an associate of theirs.

00:20:16Yes.

00:20:17No more questions, Inspector?

00:20:21Inspector, how long have you been a detective?

00:20:2525 years, sir.

00:20:27In your 25 years experience, would you say that informers are vital to your work?

00:20:31There are some crimes that would never be solved without informers.

00:20:34Is it possible for a police officer in this particular type of crime to secure evidence without mixing with criminals to some extent?

00:20:43It might be possible, but it would certainly not be easy.

00:20:46Are these winnings you've made from racing?

00:20:48And my learned friend seemed timorous and skirted the issue, but allow me to be blunt.

00:20:53Inspector, was this a bribe from the Curl brothers?

00:20:57No, sir.

00:20:57Did you arrest George and Arnold Curl out of pique or malice because you were no longer invited to their social activities?

00:21:04No, sir. Of course not.

00:21:06And have you any reason to believe that Stephen Telfer was beaten by McGraw because he gave you information concerning a safe breaking?

00:21:11No, sir.

00:21:13Lastly, Inspector, when you listen to Stephen Telfer's statement in the hospital,

00:21:17are you sure, beyond any shadow of doubt, that he named George and Arnold Curl?

00:21:23Yes, sir. Yes, sir. He did.

00:21:26Thank you very much, Inspector. No further questions.

00:21:29May I stand down, Chief Inspector?

00:21:31Thank you, my lord.

00:21:32Call Detective Sergeant Walsh, please.

00:21:35Detective Sergeant Walsh, please.

00:21:53I swear by almighty God that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

00:21:59Detective Sergeant David Walsh, full Chester CID.

00:22:02Sergeant, you accompanied Chief Inspector Crane to the Royal Infirmary on the morning of the 19th of September last.

00:22:08I did, sir.

00:22:08Please tell us what transpired.

00:22:10Oh, we took a statement from Stephen Telfer, who'd been brought in seriously injured.

00:22:14Did you write down that statement at Stephen Telfer's dictation?

00:22:17I did, sir.

00:22:19Show Sergeant Walsh the statement, please.

00:22:21Now, Sergeant, is that a copy of the statement you took down?

00:22:30Yes, sir.

00:22:31Is that your signature as witness?

00:22:33Yes, sir.

00:22:34Now, Sergeant, Telfer mentioned two names as being responsible for McGraw's attack on him.

00:22:40George and Arnold Curl, sir.

00:22:42You're quite sure of that?

00:22:43Oh, yes, sir.

00:22:44Now, did Telfer speak clearly?

00:22:46Well, pretty clearly.

00:22:48Anyway, Chief Inspector Crane asked him a couple of times if he was sure that he meant the Curl Brothers.

00:22:53Could Telfer have given their name by mistake, or because he misunderstood?

00:22:56Well, I don't see how, sir.

00:22:59Now, have you ever met the Curl Brothers socially?

00:23:02No, sir.

00:23:03Have you ever attended a party when they were present?

00:23:06No, sir.

00:23:06Have you ever been to the races with them?

00:23:08No, sir.

00:23:09I'm not a betting man.

00:23:11Thank you, Sergeant.

00:23:11No further questions.

00:23:15Sergeant, just one question.

00:23:18Is it true you are at present under disciplinary suspension from Fulchester CID?

00:23:27Answer the question, please, Sergeant.

00:23:29Yes, sir.

00:23:32I am under suspension pending a departmental inquiry.

00:23:36No more questions.

00:23:38Mr. Elliott, were you aware that this witness was under suspension?

00:23:43No, my lord, I was not.

00:23:44My lord, the case against my clients depends exclusively on Stephen Telfer's statement.

00:23:49Now, this statement was reported by Chief Inspector Crane of Detective Sergeant Walsh.

00:23:53Now, Sergeant Walsh must be regarded as being impeached as a witness.

00:23:56My lord, is my learned friend suggesting that Sergeant Walsh is not qualified to give evidence

00:23:59merely because of a departmental suspension?

00:24:02But it must surely throw doubt onto the value of Stephen Telfer's statement.

00:24:06My lord, why should it throw doubt on Mr. Telfer's statement?

00:24:09I submit, my lord, my clients have no case to answer.

00:24:11The case of the Queen versus Curl and Curl continues tomorrow in the Crown Court.

00:24:26It's day two of the trial of George and Arnold Curl.

00:24:52They're standing trial at Fullchester Crown Court on charges of conspiring to commit grievous bodily harm

00:24:58and of demanding money with menaces.

00:25:01Are the Curl brothers Fullchester's kings of the protection racket?

00:25:04Or are they, as they claim, perfectly ordinary businessmen?

00:25:08Evidence that might convict them has been supplied by Stephen Telfer,

00:25:12a club owner who, as a result of a savage beating he received,

00:25:15is now in a coma in the royal infirmary.

00:25:17Stephen Telfer was possibly a victim of a thug known as Dangerous Dan, Arthur Herbert McGraw.

00:25:24In the second day of this trial, the prosecution will be endeavouring to prove

00:25:28that McGraw acted on instructions from the brothers' curl.

00:25:32And what has been the role of Chief Inspector Crane of Fullchester CID in all this?

00:25:37The case continues today.

00:25:38Members of the jury, you have heard counsel for the defence contend that the two accused have no case to answer

00:25:48because Detective Sergeant Walsh is at present under suspension

00:25:53and you have heard the legal arguments for the rejection of counsel's submission.

00:25:58However, I must instruct you that in law you may, if you so wish, disregard the sergeant's evidence.

00:26:05But let me remind you that this in no way invalidates the evidence given by Chief Inspector Crane.

00:26:11It was given under oath and it was considered and evaluated quite separately from that of his Detective Sergeant.

00:26:18Now let's proceed with the case.

00:26:21Call Mrs Telfer, please.

00:26:24Mrs Sheila Telfer, please.

00:26:35What is your religion?

00:26:37Church of England.

00:26:38Take the testament in your right hand and read aloud the words on this card.

00:26:42I swear by Almighty God that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

00:26:47Was Sheila Telfer?

00:26:48I am.

00:26:49Wife of Stephen Telfer, who is at present in the Royal Infirmary?

00:26:51Yes.

00:26:52You reside at 171 Incomen Mansions, Oak Road, Fullchester?

00:26:55I do.

00:26:55And your husband is the owner and licensee of the Bent Banana Club?

00:26:58Yes.

00:26:59Mrs Telfer, do you know the accused?

00:27:03I do.

00:27:05And were you present in the club when George Curl last came to see your husband?

00:27:08Yes, I was.

00:27:09You were present during the whole of that meeting?

00:27:11Yes.

00:27:12And please tell the court what happened.

00:27:15Well, Georgie comes in and orders a drink at the bar.

00:27:18Excuse me, was his manner threatening?

00:27:20Oh, no.

00:27:21Very jovial.

00:27:23Likes a bit of a joke, does Georgie.

00:27:26Chatter to the barman.

00:27:28Then he turns to me and he says,

00:27:29Sheila, love, I'd like a word with your old man in private.

00:27:31Yes.

00:27:32So I took him round the back to the office.

00:27:34My husband was working on the accounts.

00:27:36He had a word with Stevie.

00:27:37He asked him how business was.

00:27:39He said how much he fancied one of my new waitresses.

00:27:43And then he said he thought all we needed to finish off the club, like,

00:27:47was some new tablecloths and things.

00:27:50Well, Stevie said we got all we needed.

00:27:52So Georgie said in that case,

00:27:54what about a dishwasher or a regular supply of fruit?

00:27:58Persimmons, by any chance?

00:28:00That's right.

00:28:01It was.

00:28:02Did your husband accept the offer?

00:28:04No.

00:28:05Stevie said he wasn't going to do no business with Georgie.

00:28:08Was there an argument?

00:28:09Well, not what you call an argument.

00:28:11They had words.

00:28:12He said to him,

00:28:13you'd be better off doing business with us now than later.

00:28:15And then he stood up

00:28:17and he deliberately pulled the whiskey from his glass

00:28:19right over the accounts on the desk.

00:28:21What was your husband's reaction to this?

00:28:23Well, he was pretty choked.

00:28:25But I was scared.

00:28:27Why were you frightened?

00:28:29Was Mr Curl's attitude threatening?

00:28:31Oh, no, Your Honour.

00:28:33No, Georgie never threatens nobody.

00:28:35Not direct.

00:28:36Mrs Telford, you had reason to believe

00:28:38that George Curl was threatening you.

00:28:41Oh, he was.

00:28:42We had this electric fire on.

00:28:44Just a small, one-bired thing.

00:28:47Georgie picks it up and he puts it on the desk.

00:28:49On the desk?

00:28:50Yeah.

00:28:50Did he say anything?

00:28:51Oh, yes.

00:28:53He said, you'd better get a guard on that, Stevie.

00:28:55You might get burned.

00:28:57Well, I mean, everybody knew

00:28:58what had happened to poor old Jack Levy.

00:29:00I mean, Arnie'd been round the clubs

00:29:02just a few days after Jack was done.

00:29:04Arnold?

00:29:04Yeah.

00:29:05What did he want?

00:29:06He was making a collection for Jack.

00:29:08He was collecting money?

00:29:10For flowers.

00:29:13You took Arnold Curl's visit to the clubs

00:29:15to be a means of threatening the club owners.

00:29:18Well, yeah.

00:29:19I mean, everybody knew he'd done Jack.

00:29:20It was Arthur McGraw.

00:29:22What evidence do you have for supposing

00:29:23that Mr McGraw was in any way connected

00:29:25with the Coe brothers?

00:29:27Well, everybody knew he was.

00:29:29Mrs Telfa, it is not sufficient to say everyone knew.

00:29:32That is hearsay.

00:29:33You must be more specific.

00:29:36Well, Your Lordship, it's like this.

00:29:39At the start, Georgie or Arnie,

00:29:42actually usually Georgie,

00:29:44they'd come round the clubs.

00:29:46Now, if you didn't sign a contract with GAC Supplies,

00:29:49then a few days later,

00:29:51you'd get a visit from Dangerous Dan,

00:29:53Arthur McGraw.

00:29:54Cause and effect.

00:29:56A refusal meant that McGraw would wreck the club.

00:30:00Yeah.

00:30:02Now, what was your husband's attitude to this form of intimidation?

00:30:05Mr Elliot,

00:30:07I must not lead the witness.

00:30:09How did your husband react to the prospect of a visit from McGraw?

00:30:13He said,

00:30:14I'm not scared of no scouse git.

00:30:17Mrs Telfa,

00:30:18were you with your husband when he was attacked?

00:30:20No.

00:30:21Now, can you think of any reason

00:30:22why anyone should wish to attack your husband?

00:30:26Even apart from Georgie and Arnie Curl?

00:30:28Yes.

00:30:28No.

00:30:29Nobody else had any reason to do my Stevie.

00:30:32Thank you very much, Mrs Telfa.

00:30:36Mrs Telfa,

00:30:38you said that

00:30:38the Curls were the only ones with any reason to do your Stevie.

00:30:43Well, that's a lie, isn't it?

00:30:45What?

00:30:46Well, Chief Inspector Crane says your husband was a police informer.

00:30:49Well, I don't know about that.

00:30:51You mean your husband never told you he was working for the police?

00:30:54Well, yes, but he never told me very much.

00:30:56But you did know he helped the police from time to time?

00:30:59Yes.

00:31:01Inspector Crane said that your husband's information sometimes led to arrests.

00:31:06Well, I didn't know.

00:31:08Well, didn't your husband,

00:31:09wasn't he ever afraid that one day

00:31:10someone he had helped to imprison would seek revenge?

00:31:14No.

00:31:15Stevie wasn't afraid of nobody.

00:31:17That sounds either very brave or very foolish.

00:31:19Which was your husband?

00:31:20He got plenty of guts at Stevie.

00:31:22So he was brave?

00:31:23Yes.

00:31:24Was he a big man?

00:31:25Stevie?

00:31:27Five foot nothing.

00:31:28But aggressive.

00:31:29He used to go around looking for trouble.

00:31:31No.

00:31:33Did he keep any weapons in the club?

00:31:35Weapons?

00:31:36Protect himself.

00:31:37Did he have a gun, for example?

00:31:38No.

00:31:42What did he do if there was a fight in the club?

00:31:45Oh, Willie Sparrow sorted it out.

00:31:46Mr. Delver, do you mean to say that your husband, a man who was a police informer as well as the owner of a club where he needed the services of an ex-boxer as a bouncer, do you mean to say he didn't even keep a heavy walking stick in his office?

00:31:59Well, he had this Irish thing hanging on the wall.

00:32:02Irish thing?

00:32:03Well, club.

00:32:04No, it was a kind of joke.

00:32:06A shillelagh?

00:32:07Yeah, that's right.

00:32:09He brought it back from Dublin one time.

00:32:11How often do you visit your husband in hospital, Mrs. Delver?

00:32:15As often as I can.

00:32:16Oh, often so.

00:32:17Once a week, twice, three times?

00:32:18It varies.

00:32:18When did you last visit your husband?

00:32:20A few days ago.

00:32:21How many days ago?

00:32:24About ten.

00:32:26You haven't visited your husband for ten days, Mrs. Delver?

00:32:30Well, there's not much point, is there?

00:32:31He's unconscious, you know.

00:32:33Lying there like he was asleep, being fed through a tube.

00:32:36Did your husband have many enemies?

00:32:38No, everybody loved Stevie.

00:32:39Everybody?

00:32:40Well, I suppose...

00:32:41Your husband was a police informer, Mrs. Delver.

00:32:45When your husband didn't return for his supper at 3.30am, were you worried?

00:32:48Of course I was.

00:32:49What did you do?

00:32:50I rang the club.

00:32:51Was there any answer?

00:32:52No.

00:32:53What did you do then?

00:32:54Well, I waited.

00:32:56I was expecting him back, you see.

00:32:57Did you phone again?

00:32:58Yes, I did.

00:32:59I phoned several times.

00:33:00How many?

00:33:01Two or three.

00:33:01Without success?

00:33:03Yeah.

00:33:04Did you phone the police, Mrs. Delver?

00:33:06No.

00:33:06Why not?

00:33:09Well, I didn't want to cause any trouble.

00:33:11Trouble?

00:33:12For whom?

00:33:13The police.

00:33:15But that's their job, Mrs. Delver.

00:33:17Surely the police would have been the logical people to phone?

00:33:22I suppose so.

00:33:23What did you think?

00:33:24There was another reason why your husband hadn't returned home that night?

00:33:27What?

00:33:27A woman.

00:33:29It's true, is it not, that your husband was something of a ladies' man?

00:33:36Who informed you about your husband's condition?

00:33:39A policeman.

00:33:40He knocked on the door and told me Steve was in the hospital.

00:33:43What time was this?

00:33:44About half past six.

00:33:45Quarter to seven.

00:33:46Yeah, in the morning.

00:33:48Had to wake you up?

00:33:49Yes.

00:33:50You've gone to bed?

00:33:51Yes.

00:33:52Even though your husband is still that returned, you'd expected of a supper sometime after three.

00:33:56I fell asleep.

00:33:57You said you've gone to bed.

00:33:59I lay down on the bed.

00:34:02Is Inkerman Mansions far from the Royal Infirmary?

00:34:05It's about 40 minutes.

00:34:07Oh, not by car, surely?

00:34:08No, it's quicker by car.

00:34:10Do you have a car?

00:34:12Stevie had it.

00:34:13You came home by taxi.

00:34:14That's right.

00:34:15Did you phone for a taxi to take you to the hospital?

00:34:17Yes, I did.

00:34:19And yet you weren't at your husband's bedside, but he made his statement.

00:34:22No.

00:34:23Why not?

00:34:24Because I didn't get there till later.

00:34:26The statement the police took from your husband is timed at 7.30am,

00:34:30between 40 minutes and an hour after you were told of his injuries.

00:34:34Look, I phoned for a taxi.

00:34:36It didn't arrive till later.

00:34:37Ah, didn't the policeman offer to take you to the hospital in his police car?

00:34:41Yes, I think so.

00:34:42I was in a state, I don't know what I was saying.

00:34:44I said I'd get a taxi.

00:34:44You certainly didn't seem to be in any hurry to get to your husband's bedside, Mrs Telfer.

00:34:49I put it to you, that your first reaction when you heard the news of your husband's condition

00:34:53was that he'd been beaten up, not by the curls, not by McGraw,

00:34:56but by an irate husband or boyfriend.

00:34:58That's the truth, isn't it, Mrs Telfer?

00:35:02No more questions.

00:35:02Mrs Telfer, I'm obliged to clarify a few points.

00:35:29Yes.

00:35:30Was your husband having an affair?

00:35:32No, not that I know of.

00:35:34Did he, to your knowledge, ever have an affair?

00:35:37No, he did not.

00:35:39Would you put a stop to it if he did?

00:35:41I most certainly would.

00:35:43I believe you, Mrs Telfer.

00:35:45Now, when you heard that your husband had accused McGraw of assaulting him,

00:35:50were you surprised?

00:35:51No.

00:35:52I knew the curls couldn't leave Stevie alone.

00:35:55I just didn't think they'd go as far as they did.

00:35:58You're still firmly of the opinion that on his last visit to you,

00:36:02George Curl did indeed threaten you and your husband?

00:36:04Yes, he did.

00:36:06How long has your husband been a police informer?

00:36:09Oh, I don't know, several years anyway.

00:36:11Anything like this ever happened before?

00:36:13Never.

00:36:15Lastly, Mrs Telfer,

00:36:16when you left the club at midnight to go home,

00:36:18did you manage to get a taxi immediately?

00:36:21No.

00:36:22No, I had to phone for one.

00:36:23How long did it take?

00:36:25Well, I phoned about half past eleven.

00:36:27I suppose it got there about twelve.

00:36:29Half an hour.

00:36:30Thank you, Mrs Telfer.

00:36:31No more questions.

00:36:33You may stand down, Mrs Telfer.

00:36:35I call the last witness for the prosecution, my lord,

00:36:38Mr Harold Granger.

00:36:41Harold Granger, please.

00:36:42What is your religion?

00:36:55The Church of England.

00:36:56Take the testament in your right hand.

00:36:58And read aloud the words on the card.

00:37:03I swear by almighty God that the evidence I shall give

00:37:06shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

00:37:09You are Harold Granger of 19 Cypress Avenue, Fulchester?

00:37:12I am.

00:37:13You're a bookmaker by profession?

00:37:14Yes.

00:37:14You opened a betting shop in Fulchester just five months ago?

00:37:17Yes.

00:37:18Now, Mr Granger,

00:37:19have you subsequently received a visit from George Curl?

00:37:22Yes.

00:37:24It was in the afternoon, 20th of September.

00:37:27That would be the day after Stephen Telfer was attacked?

00:37:30Yes.

00:37:31Did George Curl indicate any specific purpose for his visit?

00:37:34Yes.

00:37:35He wanted to supply me with pencils.

00:37:37And did he make any reference to what had happened to Stephen Telfer?

00:37:40Mr Granger?

00:37:46Um, well, I can't exactly remember.

00:37:50Mr Granger, during the conversation, was Stephen Telfer mentioned?

00:37:56Well, Your Honour, could I ask you a question, please?

00:38:00Certainly, Mr Granger.

00:38:02Well, I'm up here under oath, aren't I?

00:38:04And, well, obviously that means I've got to tell the truth.

00:38:07Yes, Mr Granger, you are under oath,

00:38:09and that means that you must tell the truth.

00:38:11To lie now would be an act of perjury,

00:38:12which is a very serious offence.

00:38:14Well, see, what I'd like to say now,

00:38:17well, it isn't exactly what I told Inspector Crane

00:38:19when he questioned me.

00:38:20You made a statement to Chief Inspector Crane?

00:38:23Yes, I did, but what I said in it wasn't right.

00:38:27I'd like to change it.

00:38:29Change it?

00:38:31You mean you'd like to withdraw it?

00:38:33No, I'd like to correct it, Your Honour.

00:38:35My Lord, I wish to make an application...

00:38:36One moment, Mr Elliot, if you please.

00:38:38Mr Granger, do I understand you to say

00:38:41that this statement which you gave to the police,

00:38:42which is the reason why you were called here

00:38:44as a prosecution witness,

00:38:45that this statement is untrue?

00:38:47Well, it's not exactly like untrue.

00:38:50It's just more like exaggerated.

00:38:52My Lord, I wish to make an application

00:38:54in the absence of the jury.

00:38:57As you know, Mr Elliot,

00:38:58I'm always very reluctant to ask a jury to retire.

00:39:02My Lord,

00:39:02in my submission, my Lord,

00:39:05Mr Granger has decided for whatever reasons

00:39:08to deviate materially

00:39:09from the statement he gave to the police.

00:39:11I wish therefore to request that

00:39:13I may treat him as a hostile witness.

00:39:16My Lord,

00:39:16the replies given by Mr Granger

00:39:18are nothing more than unfavourable.

00:39:20The prosecution have chosen to call him as a witness.

00:39:22They must abide by his evidence.

00:39:24Mr Latterby,

00:39:25I am inclined to accept Mr Elliot's submission,

00:39:27but I see no justification

00:39:29for retiring the jury.

00:39:32Members of the jury,

00:39:33I must explain to you

00:39:34that every prosecution witness

00:39:35first makes a written statement to the police.

00:39:39Now, if the evidence that he gives in court

00:39:41differs fundamentally from that written statement,

00:39:43the prosecution is entitled,

00:39:45if I so direct,

00:39:47to treat him as a hostile witness.

00:39:50And they are then enabled

00:39:51to put to him

00:39:52the things that he said in this statement.

00:39:55Accordingly, in this case,

00:39:56I direct that Mr Granger

00:39:58be regarded as hostile.

00:39:59Wait a minute, Your Honour,

00:40:00you've got me all wrong.

00:40:01I mean, I'm not hostile to nobody.

00:40:02It's nearly a legal expression, Mr Granger.

00:40:07You hurt your hand recently.

00:40:09Oh, yeah, it's all right.

00:40:10It's nothing serious.

00:40:11How'd you do it?

00:40:12I just shut it in the door.

00:40:13It's an accident.

00:40:14When?

00:40:14Two days ago.

00:40:15Two days before this trial?

00:40:17Did you break any bones?

00:40:19Just a finger.

00:40:19A finger.

00:40:21Was anyone else present at the time?

00:40:22But I've here to see the relevance

00:40:23in this present case.

00:40:24My Lord, this case concerns violence.

00:40:26Savage violence.

00:40:27I'm endeavouring to discover,

00:40:28as my learned friend well knows,

00:40:30if Mr Granger

00:40:31has changed his testimony

00:40:33because of a threat of violence,

00:40:35if not the act itself.

00:40:36Mr Granger,

00:40:37if you have been threatened

00:40:38by anyone

00:40:39about any evidence

00:40:40that you may give in this court,

00:40:41then you have only to say so.

00:40:43You will have all the protection

00:40:44of the law,

00:40:46and anybody who threatens you

00:40:47will be brought to justice.

00:40:48That I promise you.

00:40:50You understand?

00:40:51Yes, Your Honour,

00:40:52I understand.

00:40:53Have you been threatened?

00:40:55No.

00:40:56No one's threatened me.

00:40:58No one.

00:40:59Show the witness's statement, please.

00:41:03Mr Granger,

00:41:04that is the sworn statement

00:41:06you made to Chief Inspector Crane

00:41:08on the 30th of September,

00:41:10is it not?

00:41:10Well, it looks like it.

00:41:12Is that your signature

00:41:12at the bottom of the page, sir,

00:41:13or is it not?

00:41:15Yes.

00:41:17And did you not tell the police

00:41:19that when George Curl

00:41:19visited you on the 20th of September,

00:41:21he said to you,

00:41:23did you hear what happened

00:41:24to Stevie Telfer?

00:41:25It shows you it doesn't pay

00:41:26to get stroppy in this business.

00:41:28A little cooperation,

00:41:30and nobody gets hurt.

00:41:31Well, I suppose if that's what it says,

00:41:32then I must have said it.

00:41:33Did you not also say

00:41:34George Curl said the pencils

00:41:35would cost me £50 a week?

00:41:38Yes.

00:41:39Is that statement correct?

00:41:40No.

00:41:40All right.

00:41:45How much do you now say

00:41:46George Curl was planning

00:41:47to charge you for the pencils?

00:41:48Well, I just don't remember,

00:41:48but it wasn't £50.

00:41:49Was it £25?

00:41:50Oh, no, it's nothing like it.

00:41:51Oh, was it £5?

00:41:51Well, I don't remember.

00:41:53But you swore

00:41:54that it was £50 a week,

00:41:56didn't you, Mr Granger?

00:41:57Yes.

00:41:58These brothers ever

00:41:59place bets with you?

00:42:00Sometimes.

00:42:01Do they often win?

00:42:02I win sometimes.

00:42:03Well, how much money

00:42:04did they win

00:42:04the last time

00:42:05they placed a bet with you?

00:42:05I'm not sure.

00:42:06Granger, I can apply for an order

00:42:08and have your books

00:42:09brought into this court.

00:42:10Well, I don't know.

00:42:10It was £40 or something.

00:42:11I don't remember it.

00:42:13Originally,

00:42:14they were going to charge you

00:42:14£50.

00:42:15What did they do?

00:42:15Give you a reduction?

00:42:16Lord.

00:42:18I withdraw the question,

00:42:19my Lord.

00:42:25Mr Granger,

00:42:26you said you lied

00:42:27to the police.

00:42:29Yes.

00:42:30Why?

00:42:31Well, I wanted to help them.

00:42:34You lied in order

00:42:35to help the police?

00:42:37Well, yeah.

00:42:40Well, tell me,

00:42:40Mr Granger,

00:42:41how can lying

00:42:41to the police

00:42:42possibly help you?

00:42:43Well, I'm new here.

00:42:44I'm new to Forchester.

00:42:45The bookmaker's

00:42:46got to keep in

00:42:46with the police.

00:42:47Who told you

00:42:47you should lie?

00:42:48Oh, no one.

00:42:50Was it a member

00:42:50of the police force?

00:42:51No, of course not.

00:42:51I just thought

00:42:52it was my own idea.

00:42:53Who took your statement?

00:42:54Chief Inspector Crane.

00:42:56I see.

00:42:57Chief Inspector Crane.

00:42:59Did Chief Inspector Crane

00:43:01indicate in what way

00:43:02he wanted you to help him?

00:43:03I'm sorry,

00:43:05I don't know what you mean.

00:43:06Did he indicate

00:43:07that the curls

00:43:08were a menace to society

00:43:09that ought to be locked away?

00:43:11No.

00:43:11Did he indicate

00:43:12that he would like

00:43:12a statement from you

00:43:14referring to their activities?

00:43:16Yes.

00:43:17And the statement

00:43:18you subsequently gave

00:43:19was an invention

00:43:20with no basis in fact

00:43:21designed to curry favor

00:43:23with the police?

00:43:24Yes.

00:43:25Well, how did you know

00:43:26it would find favor?

00:43:29What?

00:43:30Well, you say

00:43:31you're new to Fulchester,

00:43:32Mr Granger,

00:43:32so who told you

00:43:34that telling lies

00:43:34about the curls

00:43:35would make you popular

00:43:36with the police?

00:43:37Well, I don't remember.

00:43:38I don't know.

00:43:38Was it the same person

00:43:38who told you

00:43:39you should wear

00:43:41that ridiculous bandage

00:43:42on your hand?

00:43:43Of course not.

00:43:43The hospital put this on.

00:43:44Oh, you really have

00:43:45hurt your hand,

00:43:46Mr Granger?

00:43:46Yeah, I've told you.

00:43:47Isn't that carrying

00:43:48a passion for verisimilitude

00:43:50a trifle far?

00:43:51Mr Lotterby,

00:43:51I see no point

00:43:52in pursuing the matter further.

00:43:53The witness is

00:43:54a self-confessed liar.

00:43:55I agree, my lord.

00:43:56No further questions.

00:43:59That concludes the case

00:44:01for the prosecution, my lord.

00:44:03You may stand down.

00:44:11Best witness for the defence,

00:44:13my lord,

00:44:13George Wellington Curl.

00:44:26I shall not tolerate

00:44:27any more of this behaviour

00:44:28the next time

00:44:29I shall clear

00:44:29the public gallery.

00:44:31Proceed.

00:44:32What is your religion?

00:44:33Wesleyan.

00:44:34Wesleyan?

00:44:35Wesleyan, your honour.

00:44:37Take the testament

00:44:38in your right hand

00:44:39and read aloud

00:44:39the words on this card.

00:44:40I swear by almighty God

00:44:42that the evidence

00:44:43I shall give

00:44:43shall be the truth,

00:44:44the whole truth

00:44:45and nothing but the truth.

00:44:48You are George Wellington Curl

00:44:49of the Penthouse Sunset Court,

00:44:51Fulchester?

00:44:51Yes.

00:44:52Describe your religion

00:44:53as Wesleyan.

00:44:54Yes, sir.

00:44:55Are you a regular churchgoer?

00:44:57Oh, yes, sir.

00:44:57I have been for the past

00:44:58five years, sir.

00:44:59I go to the Zion Chapel

00:45:00in Market Street

00:45:01every Sunday.

00:45:02Mr Curl,

00:45:02you and your brother

00:45:03run a number of companies

00:45:04which supply linen,

00:45:05kitchen equipment, etc.

00:45:06to clubs,

00:45:07restaurants and betting shops.

00:45:09Yes, sir.

00:45:09How do you reconcile

00:45:10your business interests

00:45:11with your religion?

00:45:12Well, sir,

00:45:13as the hymn goes,

00:45:14Thy hand, O God,

00:45:15hath guided.

00:45:16You mean,

00:45:16you think you've been guided

00:45:17in your choice of business?

00:45:18Most certainly so, yeah.

00:45:21You do business

00:45:21with quite a few of the clubs

00:45:22in around Fulchester,

00:45:23do you?

00:45:24Oh, most of them, sir, yeah.

00:45:25Would you tell the court

00:45:26about the visit

00:45:27you made to Stephen Tate,

00:45:29Telfer's Club,

00:45:29The Bent Banana?

00:45:30It was like Sheila said, sir.

00:45:32I went in,

00:45:32chatted her up at the bar a bit

00:45:33and then she took me

00:45:34through to Stephen's office.

00:45:35He was doing his accounts.

00:45:37After a bit more chatting,

00:45:38I said to him,

00:45:39here, Steve,

00:45:39do you fancy ordering

00:45:40all the equipment

00:45:41for your club from us two?

00:45:42What did he say?

00:45:44Well, I don't know

00:45:45as I should actually

00:45:46repeat these words

00:45:47in this court, sir.

00:45:48Why, were they abusive?

00:45:50Obscene

00:45:50and blasphemous.

00:45:53You heard Mrs Telfer say

00:45:54that you poured a drink

00:45:55over the accounts

00:45:56he was working on.

00:45:57Yes, sir.

00:45:57Did you do that?

00:45:59To my eternal regret,

00:46:00sir, yes.

00:46:01Why?

00:46:03Well, it's very hard

00:46:03to explain

00:46:04unless you know Stevie, sir.

00:46:06As his good lady said,

00:46:07he is a little fella

00:46:08but very aggressive, sir.

00:46:09He started swearing,

00:46:10saying he wouldn't do business

00:46:11with us,

00:46:12called me and my brother

00:46:12a couple of crooks

00:46:13and, well,

00:46:14God forgive me, sir,

00:46:15but I just saw Red

00:46:16poured him a drink

00:46:17and poured him a drink

00:46:17over his desk.

00:46:18I know it was a shameful

00:46:19thing to do, sir,

00:46:20but it was that all striking him

00:46:21and I am not a man

00:46:22given to violence,

00:46:23so, well,

00:46:24I sort of poured a libation

00:46:26over his papers.

00:46:27Did you also put

00:46:27an electric fire

00:46:28on his desk?

00:46:29Oh, yeah.

00:46:30In order to frighten him?

00:46:31No, where it was,

00:46:32it was scorching my ankles.

00:46:34You didn't mean it

00:46:34as a threat?

00:46:36Certainly not, sir.

00:46:37Yet you'd heard

00:46:37what happened to Jack Levy,

00:46:38the way he'd been burned?

00:46:39Oh, yes, sir.

00:46:40And that was a terrible thing, sir.

00:46:42Arnie, my brother, you know,

00:46:43sir, made a collection

00:46:43for dear old Jack.

00:46:45Did you say to Stephen Telfer,

00:46:47you'll be better

00:46:47doing business with us

00:46:48now than later?

00:46:49Yeah.

00:46:50What exactly did you mean?

00:46:51Well, with prices

00:46:53the way they're going up

00:46:54all the time, sir,

00:46:54obviously he'd be better

00:46:55off doing business

00:46:56with us now.

00:46:56So if Stephen Telfer

00:46:57came to you later,

00:46:58he'd have to pay more

00:46:59for the linen and fruit

00:46:59you supply?

00:47:00Cast-iron certainty.

00:47:02Did you know

00:47:03Arthur Herbert McGraw?

00:47:05Yes, sir.

00:47:06Is he an associate of yours?

00:47:07No, sir.

00:47:08I was in prison

00:47:09with him.

00:47:10He's an evil man.

00:47:12A violent man?

00:47:13A man of violence.

00:47:14Have you ever employed

00:47:15McGraw in any capacity?

00:47:17No, sir.

00:47:17Did you send McGraw

00:47:18to go and see

00:47:19Stephen Telfer?

00:47:20Sir, if someone

00:47:21was trying to work

00:47:22the old protection racket,

00:47:23which, as God is my judge,

00:47:25it certainly wasn't me,

00:47:26they would not send

00:47:27McGraw around

00:47:28to do the aggro.

00:47:29Why's that?

00:47:30The man is a right nutter.

00:47:32Ah, Mr. Coe,

00:47:33what are your relations

00:47:33with Chief Inspector Crane?

00:47:36Not good, sir.

00:47:37Ever since my brother, Arnie,

00:47:39stopped inviting him

00:47:40to race meetings

00:47:40a few months ago.

00:47:41But until then,

00:47:42you went to race meetings

00:47:43with him?

00:47:43No, sir.

00:47:44Oh, no.

00:47:44He came to race meetings

00:47:45with us,

00:47:46and he was not averse

00:47:47to having a little bet

00:47:48at our expense.

00:47:49So you financed

00:47:50Chief Inspector Crane?

00:47:50My lord, I must object.

00:47:51Mr. Curl,

00:47:52it seems to me

00:47:52that you're on the verge

00:47:53of making a very serious

00:47:54accusation against a police officer.

00:47:55Accusation, my lord?

00:47:56An accusation of bribery.

00:47:58My lord,

00:47:59my brother and I

00:48:00are respectable businessmen

00:48:01in this city,

00:48:02and as such,

00:48:02we naturally tend

00:48:03to foster good relations

00:48:04with the police.

00:48:06And by offering

00:48:06Chief Inspector Crane

00:48:08a little hospitality,

00:48:09I meant in no way

00:48:10to suggest

00:48:10that we were trying

00:48:11to influence him.

00:48:13No more questions,

00:48:14Mr. Curl?

00:48:17Mr. Curl?

00:48:18Yes, sir?

00:48:18You were the sales manager

00:48:19for GAC Supplies

00:48:20and GAC Exotic Fruit Supplies,

00:48:22both in Fulchester.

00:48:23Yes, sir.

00:48:24You visit the clients?

00:48:25I do, sir.

00:48:26You're responsible

00:48:27for persuading the customers

00:48:28to sign the contracts

00:48:29for the various goods

00:48:30and services

00:48:31that you offer.

00:48:32That's right, sir.

00:48:33Now, the dishwasher

00:48:34you sell is Japanese,

00:48:35I believe.

00:48:35Made in Japan.

00:48:36Mm-hmm.

00:48:37The haiku.

00:48:38The haiku, sir, yes.

00:48:40How many plates

00:48:41will the haiku wash

00:48:42in one go?

00:48:43Plates, sir.

00:48:43Plates?

00:48:45Well, uh...

00:48:45Surely that's one

00:48:46of the first questions

00:48:47a customer would ask.

00:48:48I suppose they...

00:48:49How many plates, Mr. Curl?

00:48:51Well, um...

00:48:52Mr. Curl,

00:48:52it's a very simple question.

00:48:53How many plates

00:48:55will the haiku wash

00:48:56in one go?

00:48:57How many plates?

00:48:58How the hell should I know?

00:48:59I don't count the pleading things.

00:49:01Mr. Curl.

00:49:02He's asking me trick-pleading questions.

00:49:03Mr. Curl,

00:49:03this is a court of law.

00:49:04Whilst you're giving evidence,

00:49:05you will show proper respect.

00:49:06The case of the Queen

00:49:18versus Curl and Curl

00:49:19will be resumed tomorrow

00:49:21in the Crown Court.

00:49:22The trial of the Queen

00:49:48versus George and Arnold Curl

00:49:50is now entering its final day.

00:49:52Did the Curl brothers

00:49:53attempt to establish

00:49:54a Chicago-style protection racket

00:49:56in Fulchester?

00:49:57Yesterday was George Curl's

00:49:59first day on the stand.

00:50:00His cross-examination

00:50:01continues today.

00:50:03Soon,

00:50:03it'll be the turn

00:50:04of his brother,

00:50:04Arnold Curl.

00:50:06The brothers, Curl,

00:50:07are being defended

00:50:07by Mr. Charles Lotterby.

00:50:09The prosecution

00:50:10is in the hands

00:50:11of Mr. James Elliott, QC.

00:50:13The case continues.

00:50:15All stand.

00:50:16I must remind you

00:50:41that you're still under oath.

00:50:43Mr. Elliott?

00:50:44Mr. Cole.

00:50:47Excuse me, sir.

00:50:48My lord.

00:50:49What is it, Mr. Cole?

00:50:52I would like to apologise, sir,

00:50:53for my outburst yesterday.

00:50:54I don't know what came over me.

00:50:57I trust you'll be able

00:50:58to control yourself today.

00:50:59Most certainly, sir.

00:51:01I will not permit myself

00:51:02to be provoked.

00:51:04Mr. Cole,

00:51:05you've been a pain

00:51:06to impress this court

00:51:08with your religious convictions.

00:51:10I have been saved.

00:51:11And when did that

00:51:12glorious event occur?

00:51:14When I was in

00:51:14Reading Jail, sir.

00:51:16I think it was

00:51:16the hymns that done it.

00:51:17We used to sing

00:51:18some lovely hymns

00:51:18in the chapel.

00:51:19You've not then

00:51:20always been religious?

00:51:21No, sir.

00:51:22I was a sinner, sir.

00:51:23I was a criminal.

00:51:24As a matter of fact, sir,

00:51:25I was in jail at that time

00:51:27for something

00:51:27what I had done.

00:51:28And what was that?

00:51:30Receiving stolen goods.

00:51:31You no longer

00:51:32receive stolen goods?

00:51:33No, sir.

00:51:34You don't need to, do you?

00:51:35You've moved into

00:51:35the lucrative protection business.

00:51:37I've gone straight

00:51:38ever since Reading.

00:51:40You've certainly been successful

00:51:41since Reading, Mr. Kerr.

00:51:43God has been good to me, sir.

00:51:44And my brother Arnie, sir,

00:51:45has been a tower of strength.

00:51:47Penthouse at Sunset Court.

00:51:48Reward indeed.

00:51:49But what I fail to understand

00:51:50is how you can afford it.

00:51:52The income from the sale

00:51:53of pencils and persimmons

00:51:55would not, I should have thought,

00:51:57been sufficient to keep you

00:51:58and your brother in such style.

00:52:00Ah, but you see,

00:52:01I've got other sources

00:52:01of income, sir.

00:52:02And what are they?

00:52:03Well, for a start,

00:52:04I do quite well at betting.

00:52:06And to what do you attribute

00:52:07your success?

00:52:08Divine guidance?

00:52:09No, sir.

00:52:10Well, I'm just careful.

00:52:11You know what I mean.

00:52:12I bet certs.

00:52:13Does horse racing

00:52:15not offend your religious scruples?

00:52:17Well, I don't see anything wrong

00:52:18in putting one's trust

00:52:20in one of God's own creatures, sir.

00:52:22You bet at Harry Granger's

00:52:23betting shop?

00:52:24Sometime.

00:52:25Often?

00:52:25Now and again.

00:52:26Once a month?

00:52:27I don't keep count.

00:52:28Do you bet at all

00:52:29the gambling establishments

00:52:30where your company does business?

00:52:31Well, my brother Arnie

00:52:32said you shouldn't forget

00:52:33a client just when

00:52:34the contract's signed.

00:52:35So, yes, I spend a few

00:52:36quid in the clubs

00:52:37we do business with.

00:52:38It's good policy.

00:52:39And a convenient way

00:52:40of collecting protection money.

00:52:41Arthur Herbert McGraw.

00:52:43Now, you say you met him

00:52:44in Reading Jail?

00:52:45Yes, sir.

00:52:46You haven't seen him

00:52:47since your Reading days?

00:52:48No, sir.

00:52:49Did you know he was

00:52:51in Fulchester?

00:52:52I'd heard.

00:52:53Yes.

00:52:54Did you share a cell

00:52:55with him in Reading?

00:52:56No, sir.

00:52:58Yet you were able

00:52:58to describe him

00:52:59to my learned friend

00:53:00with such freshness,

00:53:01such detail,

00:53:02this man you haven't

00:53:03seen in five years.

00:53:04Well, he wasn't a man

00:53:05you'd forget.

00:53:07Wasn't, Mr. Kerr?

00:53:08Isn't.

00:53:09You used the past tense.

00:53:10I did, sir.

00:53:11That's because I'm not

00:53:12a professor of English, sir.

00:53:16Stephen Telfer.

00:53:17Do you know him well?

00:53:19Well, just to chat to,

00:53:20not as a friend.

00:53:21As a potential client?

00:53:22Yeah.

00:53:23Do you know he was

00:53:23a police informer?

00:53:25Well, I guessed as much.

00:53:26Did he tell you

00:53:27he was a police informer?

00:53:28No.

00:53:28Then how'd you find out?

00:53:30Well, odd things I'd heard.

00:53:31Where?

00:53:31Clubs, places like that.

00:53:33Oh, so others could have

00:53:33known he was an informer?

00:53:35I suppose so.

00:53:36Couldn't have been

00:53:36very successful, then,

00:53:37could he?

00:53:38I don't understand.

00:53:39Well, if others knew

00:53:40he was an informer,

00:53:40surely they'd tell him nothing,

00:53:41and if they told him nothing

00:53:42of what possible danger

00:53:43could he be to them?

00:53:44Someone could have

00:53:45had a grudge.

00:53:47Evidently, Mr. Kerr.

00:53:50You've just helped me establish

00:53:51it appears unlikely

00:53:52that Stephen Telfer

00:53:53was beaten up

00:53:54for any information

00:53:55that he might have

00:53:56given to the police.

00:53:57I don't know anything

00:53:58about that.

00:53:58Stroppy was the way

00:53:59I think you described Telfer.

00:54:01He was stroppy,

00:54:02which is ridiculous, really.

00:54:03I mean, a man's built

00:54:04like an undernourished jockey.

00:54:05How'd you get on

00:54:06with his wife?

00:54:07Sheila?

00:54:08OK.

00:54:09Were you friendly with her?

00:54:10Well, I thought so,

00:54:10until she accused me

00:54:11of threatening Stevie, yes.

00:54:12Oh, but of course

00:54:13you didn't threaten him.

00:54:14No.

00:54:14I wonder where

00:54:15she could have got

00:54:16such an idea.

00:54:17I don't know

00:54:18what goes through her mind.

00:54:19Perhaps it was

00:54:19when you were brandishing

00:54:20the electric fire

00:54:21demanding a regular payoff.

00:54:23No.

00:54:23No more questions, my lord.

00:54:27Mr. Kerr,

00:54:28do you number some criminals

00:54:29among your acquaintances?

00:54:30As a matter of fact,

00:54:31there are quite a few, yes.

00:54:32Because, you see,

00:54:33my brother Arnie and I, sir,

00:54:34we look after the chaps

00:54:35when they come out of jail.

00:54:36Sort of rehabilitation work.

00:54:39As a matter of fact,

00:54:39my lord,

00:54:40I consider it my duty

00:54:41as a practising Christian.

00:54:43Do they all know

00:54:44Stephen Telfer's

00:54:44a police informer?

00:54:47Well,

00:54:47I don't know.

00:54:49He didn't go round

00:54:49with a card on him

00:54:50saying,

00:54:51I am a police informer.

00:54:53So you think

00:54:54it's possible

00:54:54that any of these people

00:54:55could have beaten up

00:54:55Stephen Telfer?

00:54:57I'd say there was

00:54:57more likelihood of that

00:54:58than saying it was

00:54:59McGraw who'd done it.

00:55:00Even though he is

00:55:00extremely violent?

00:55:02Look, sir,

00:55:03as I said before,

00:55:04I would doubt

00:55:05if McGraw even knew

00:55:06that Stevie Telfer existed.

00:55:09My only friend

00:55:10has suggested

00:55:10that Harry Granger

00:55:11changed the story

00:55:12he gave to the police

00:55:13because of threats.

00:55:14Now, have you threatened him?

00:55:15No, sir.

00:55:16Do you know of any

00:55:17people who have?

00:55:19Not to my knowledge.

00:55:20Can you think of a reason

00:55:20why anyone in your circle

00:55:21should hold a grudge

00:55:22against Stephen Telfer?

00:55:24Unless he shocked him,

00:55:25so no.

00:55:26Yeah, Mrs Telfer says

00:55:27you threatened him.

00:55:29Mrs Telfer will say

00:55:30anything to keep him

00:55:31with the police.

00:55:32Mr Curl,

00:55:33have you any grounds

00:55:34for accusing Mrs Telfer

00:55:35and the police

00:55:35of conspiring together

00:55:36against you?

00:55:37Yes, my lord.

00:55:38What grounds?

00:55:39Well, my brother and I

00:55:40are in this court today, sir,

00:55:42charged with conspiring

00:55:43to commit GBH

00:55:44or whatever it is.

00:55:45That doesn't constitute

00:55:47adequate grounds

00:55:47for such an accusation,

00:55:48Mr Curl.

00:55:49Well, pardon me,

00:55:50your worship,

00:55:51but they're saying

00:55:52we did it,

00:55:52we're saying we didn't.

00:55:54Now, we're both on oath,

00:55:55so one of us is lying.

00:55:56And as God is my judge, sir,

00:55:57it's not me and my brother.

00:56:00No further questions,

00:56:01Mr Curl.

00:56:03You will return

00:56:04to the dock,

00:56:05Mr Curl.

00:56:05Thank you, sir.

00:56:06I call Arnold, Curl.

00:56:25What is your religion?

00:56:26Catholic.

00:56:27Catholic?

00:56:28Yes, sir.

00:56:29Isn't your brother a Wesley?

00:56:31Yes, sir, he is.

00:56:32Well, how is it

00:56:33the Jorah Catholic?

00:56:34Well, there were two schools

00:56:35where we were brought up, sir.

00:56:37One was the normal one

00:56:38run by the church

00:56:39and the other one

00:56:39was run by the fathers.

00:56:41Dad believed

00:56:42if we both went

00:56:42to different schools,

00:56:43one of us ought to

00:56:44get a decent education.

00:56:45I swear by almighty God

00:56:47that the evidence

00:56:47I shall give

00:56:48shall be the truth,

00:56:49the whole truth

00:56:50and nothing but the truth.

00:56:52You are Arnold Curl

00:56:53of the Penthouse Sunset Court.

00:56:55I am.

00:56:56You are Administrative Director

00:56:57of GSE Supplies

00:56:59Fulchester

00:56:59and the subsidiary companies?

00:57:00I am.

00:57:01I look after the books

00:57:02and buy the goods

00:57:02and so on.

00:57:03Have you been in business

00:57:04with your brother for long?

00:57:05Oh, about four years.

00:57:06Before that,

00:57:06I was in business on my own.

00:57:08Is your present business successful?

00:57:09Yes, it is.

00:57:11Do you know Stephen Telfer?

00:57:13Well, I know him

00:57:14not very well.

00:57:16Do you know his wife, Sheila?

00:57:17I don't know her only better

00:57:18than I know him himself, no.

00:57:19Did you at any time

00:57:20threaten them?

00:57:21No.

00:57:22Did you at any time

00:57:23tell your brother

00:57:24that he should threaten them?

00:57:25No.

00:57:26Have you ever threatened anyone?

00:57:28Yes, frequently.

00:57:29What, with violence?

00:57:31Mostly with the law

00:57:32and debt collecting agencies.

00:57:33You see, like all businesses,

00:57:34we do find it difficult

00:57:35occasionally

00:57:36to get people

00:57:37to pay their bills.

00:57:38Did you ever have that trouble

00:57:39with the Telfer's?

00:57:40Oh, no.

00:57:41We never did business

00:57:41with the Telfer's.

00:57:43Do you know

00:57:43Arthur Herbert McGraw?

00:57:45Not personally.

00:57:46I do know of him.

00:57:47Who told you of him?

00:57:48Chief Inspector Crane.

00:57:50When was this?

00:57:51Well, he pointed them out

00:57:54to me at a red car

00:57:55or first,

00:57:56one of the race meetings.

00:57:57What exactly did he tell you?

00:57:59He said McGraw was an animal.

00:58:01One of the most dangerous men

00:58:02he'd ever met.

00:58:03And that was the only time

00:58:04you ever saw McGraw?

00:58:05I've seen him once or twice

00:58:07in a club in Manchester.

00:58:08Did you speak to him?

00:58:09No.

00:58:10Where did you first meet

00:58:11the Chief Inspector?

00:58:13At a Rotarian lunch

00:58:14a couple of years ago.

00:58:15You are a Rotarian?

00:58:16Yes, I am.

00:58:18Did you go to many race meetings

00:58:19with Chief Inspector Crane?

00:58:20Quite a few.

00:58:22At whose suggestion?

00:58:23I invited him.

00:58:25You were on friendly terms?

00:58:26I thought I was.

00:58:28Did you ever place bets

00:58:29for the Chief Inspector?

00:58:31Now and again.

00:58:32Did you use your money

00:58:33or his?

00:58:34Well, it varied.

00:58:35I mean, if he looked

00:58:35as if he was having a bad day,

00:58:37I'd place the bet

00:58:37with my money.

00:58:38Did he win much?

00:58:40Yes.

00:58:42Well, it all depends

00:58:42what you mean by much,

00:58:43of course.

00:58:44Well, what's the most

00:58:45he won when you

00:58:45placed the bet?

00:58:48117...

00:58:48No, 217 pounds,

00:58:4935 pence.

00:58:50That's a lot of money.

00:58:52Well, it all depends

00:58:52on your perspective.

00:58:54What do you mean?

00:58:55Well, if you do it

00:58:55in the next week,

00:58:56you haven't won much,

00:58:57have you?

00:58:58Did Chief Inspector Crane

00:58:59ever lose?

00:59:00Sometimes.

00:59:01Did he lose much?

00:59:03Well, I don't know

00:59:03about that,

00:59:04but he didn't exactly

00:59:04dance with joy

00:59:05when his horse lost.

00:59:07When did you stop

00:59:08taking Chief Inspector Crane

00:59:09to race meetings?

00:59:11About seven

00:59:11or eight months ago.

00:59:13Why did you stop?

00:59:15I go to race meetings

00:59:16to bet on horses.

00:59:17Chief Inspector Crane

00:59:18didn't?

00:59:18Not always.

00:59:19It struck me

00:59:20he was going there

00:59:21to do his job.

00:59:22His job?

00:59:23Keep his eye on people

00:59:24he's supposed

00:59:24to keep his eye on.

00:59:26I objected

00:59:26when he started

00:59:27to use me.

00:59:28In what way

00:59:29use you?

00:59:30As a kind of

00:59:30an unpaid police informer.

00:59:32You objected to him?

00:59:34Well, I didn't

00:59:34exactly object, no.

00:59:36I said to him

00:59:37if you want to come

00:59:38to race meetings

00:59:38with me

00:59:39that's all right

00:59:39but if you're

00:59:40looking for someone

00:59:40to do your dirty work

00:59:41you better look elsewhere.

00:59:43Did Chief Inspector Crane

00:59:44arrest you personally?

00:59:46Yes, he did.

00:59:47When he arrested you

00:59:48did he say anything?

00:59:49Yes.

00:59:50He said it'll be

00:59:51a long time

00:59:51before you go

00:59:52to another race meeting

00:59:53Arnie, me old son.

00:59:54Thank you, Mr. Curl.

00:59:59Mr. Curl.

01:00:01You sell a strange

01:00:02variety of products.

01:00:04Nothing strange about it.

01:00:05We stock

01:00:06what we know

01:00:06we can sell.

01:00:07Including persimmons?

01:00:09I'd stock

01:00:09smoke their jog

01:00:10if I thought

01:00:10I could sell it.

01:00:11What is a persimmon?

01:00:13A persimmon

01:00:14is an American date plum.

01:00:16It's a very sweet fruit.

01:00:17You don't pick it

01:00:18till the frost

01:00:18has been on it.

01:00:19I am impressed,

01:00:20Mr. Curl.

01:00:21I also know

01:00:22how many plates

01:00:23go in the haiku dishwasher.

01:00:24You're very sure

01:00:25about a lot of things.

01:00:27Like the most

01:00:27Inspector Crane

01:00:28won at the races.

01:00:29That's right.

01:00:31£217.35.

01:00:33That's minus tax

01:00:34of course.

01:00:34You're sure?

01:00:35Of course I'm sure.

01:00:36I'm very good with money.

01:00:37You know,

01:00:37I've got a brain like that.

01:00:39Do you win at the races?

01:00:40Yes.

01:00:40Much?

01:00:41Yes.

01:00:42Like your brother,

01:00:43do you only bet on certs?

01:00:44That's stupid.

01:00:45There's no such thing

01:00:46as a cert.

01:00:46Oh, then tell us

01:00:47your secret.

01:00:48Well, I'll just

01:00:48calculate the odds.

01:00:50I mean,

01:00:50if the odds appear

01:00:51to be on my side,

01:00:52I'll have a bet.

01:00:52Most people are fools

01:00:53when it comes to horses,

01:00:54you know.

01:00:55Or is it that most people

01:00:55are fools

01:00:56when it comes to bookmakers?

01:00:58I'm sorry,

01:00:58I don't understand.

01:00:59You win,

01:01:00do you not mostly

01:01:01from the bookmakers

01:01:02who buy your pencils?

01:01:04I win from all kinds

01:01:05of people.

01:01:05Could it be that

01:01:06your success is due

01:01:06to the fact that

01:01:07you place your bet

01:01:08after you know

01:01:08which horse has won?

01:01:10That is highly illegal,

01:01:11sir.

01:01:12If a bookmaker's

01:01:12frightened enough

01:01:13to buy your pencils,

01:01:14he might overlook

01:01:15the matter of post-race betting.

01:01:17That's a lie.

01:01:18You won't find

01:01:18one of my bookmakers...

01:01:19One of your bookmakers,

01:01:20Mr. Kerl?

01:01:20One of my clients.

01:01:21You won't find

01:01:22one of them

01:01:22that could complain

01:01:23about a thing like that.

01:01:24How can you be so sure,

01:01:25Mr. Kerl?

01:01:25It's unusual in my experience

01:01:26that a client

01:01:27doesn't have a complaint

01:01:28of some sort or another.

01:01:29Perhaps we look

01:01:30after our clients

01:01:31better than you

01:01:31look after yours.

01:01:32Mr. Kerl.

01:01:33I do apologise,

01:01:34Your Worship.

01:01:35It's quite all right,

01:01:35my Lord.

01:01:36There's one question

01:01:37that may be worrying

01:01:38the members of the jury.

01:01:40I know it's troubling me.

01:01:41If I can be of help,

01:01:42I'd be very pleased.

01:01:45Now,

01:01:45why should any bookmaker

01:01:47buy pencils from you?

01:01:50I mean,

01:01:50pencils are not

01:01:51difficult to obtain,

01:01:52are they?

01:01:52We do supply the chalk

01:01:53as well.

01:01:54For any educational

01:01:55supplier sells chalk?

01:01:56Perhaps they haven't

01:01:57all got educational

01:01:58suppliers living

01:01:58next door

01:01:59to their betting shops.

01:02:00Tell me,

01:02:00Mr. Kerl,

01:02:01why should a bookmaker

01:02:02order boxloads

01:02:03of persimmons from you?

01:02:05Even bookmakers

01:02:06are entitled

01:02:06to exotic tastes,

01:02:07you know.

01:02:08A lot of people

01:02:09seem to be developing

01:02:10this exotic taste.

01:02:12I can't help it

01:02:13if they're popular.

01:02:13And to what

01:02:14do you attribute

01:02:15the sudden popularity

01:02:16of the persimmon?

01:02:17We happen to have

01:02:18a first-class salesman.

01:02:19Your brother?

01:02:20That's it,

01:02:21my brother George.

01:02:21George, yes.

01:02:22And if he meets

01:02:23with any sales resistance,

01:02:24what happens

01:02:24if the client

01:02:24doesn't want to buy

01:02:25your pencils

01:02:26and your persimmons

01:02:26and your dishwashers

01:02:27and your towels?

01:02:28What happens?

01:02:29He stands on an electric fire?

01:02:31He falls down a flight

01:02:32of stairs in a bungalow?

01:02:34It would appear

01:02:35they all,

01:02:36like Stephen Telfer,

01:02:36end up in the hospital

01:02:37eventually.

01:02:38That is not

01:02:39of our doing.

01:02:40Whose doing is it,

01:02:41Mr. Kerl?

01:02:43My lord,

01:02:43I have no further

01:02:44questions to put

01:02:45to this man.

01:02:45How long have you

01:02:49been in business?

01:02:50Since I was 19,

01:02:51about 16 years ago.

01:02:53Have you ever

01:02:53in that time

01:02:54been in prison?

01:02:55Certainly not.

01:02:56Have you ever

01:02:57been brought into court

01:02:57on any criminal charge?

01:02:59No.

01:03:00Until you had

01:03:00the disagreement

01:03:01with Chief Inspector Crane,

01:03:03have you ever been

01:03:03questioned by the police?

01:03:05Never.

01:03:07Thank you, Mr. Kerl.

01:03:08Thank you, sir.

01:03:08No further questions?

01:03:10You will return

01:03:10to the dock, Mr. Kerl.

01:03:11Thank you very much, sir.

01:03:12Mr. Elliott.

01:03:35If you please, my lord,

01:03:37members of the jury.

01:03:40Now, this is a

01:03:41sickening case.

01:03:43Sickening because

01:03:44these two men

01:03:45have, by the use

01:03:47of terror,

01:03:48and there's no

01:03:48other word for it,

01:03:50they've been able

01:03:50to extort money

01:03:51from people

01:03:51too frightened

01:03:52to complain.

01:03:55Now, wherever

01:03:55the police have turned,

01:03:56they've met

01:03:57with a wall of silence.

01:03:59People are still

01:03:59living in fear.

01:04:01And we've witnessed

01:04:02this fear here

01:04:03in court.

01:04:04Harry Granger,

01:04:05the bookmaker,

01:04:06who voluntarily

01:04:07gave a statement

01:04:08to the police

01:04:08indicting George

01:04:10and Arnold Kerl

01:04:11for extortion.

01:04:13Now, a few days

01:04:13ago, his finger

01:04:15was broken.

01:04:17Now, he now wishes

01:04:17to alter his testimony.

01:04:20During this trial,

01:04:21we've seen these two men

01:04:22attempt to cast

01:04:22a miasma of lies

01:04:24and innuendo

01:04:25over the activities

01:04:26of a dedicated

01:04:27and experienced

01:04:28police officer.

01:04:30Now, ask yourselves,

01:04:31as representatives

01:04:32of the community

01:04:34that demands

01:04:34that the police

01:04:35end terrorism

01:04:36and the host

01:04:37of related criminal

01:04:38activities,

01:04:40ask yourselves,

01:04:41how else

01:04:42can the police

01:04:43discover the truth?

01:04:46Now, members of the jury,

01:04:47we can only sympathise

01:04:48with those

01:04:49who have remained silent,

01:04:50even though this silence

01:04:51is the very shield

01:04:52behind which the Kerl brothers

01:04:54and their like

01:04:54find safety.

01:04:56Now, these silent victims

01:04:57live within the shadow

01:04:59of fear.

01:04:59They have every reason

01:05:00to believe that they

01:05:00will be maimed

01:05:01if they do not

01:05:02pay protection money.

01:05:04Consider the consequences

01:05:06if they had complained.

01:05:07Consider the consequences

01:05:08they may yet face

01:05:09if you find

01:05:10George and Arnold

01:05:11Kerl not guilty.

01:05:14It was only when

01:05:15Stephen Telfer

01:05:16was threatened

01:05:16and subsequently attacked

01:05:17that the police

01:05:18had sufficient evidence

01:05:19to move against

01:05:20the Kerl brothers.

01:05:21And where is Stephen Telfer?

01:05:22In hospital,

01:05:24in a coma

01:05:24from which he may

01:05:25never recover.

01:05:26Now, it's not

01:05:26the prosecution's case

01:05:27that George and Arnold

01:05:28Kerl beat up anyone.

01:05:29They have no need.

01:05:31But their chosen instrument,

01:05:32according to Telfer,

01:05:33was Arthur Herbert McGraw.

01:05:35Now, where's McGraw?

01:05:36Is he in hiding?

01:05:37And if so, why?

01:05:39Or is he, as the police

01:05:40have reason to believe,

01:05:42himself dead?

01:05:44Now, the accused

01:05:45are not facing

01:05:46a charge of murder,

01:05:46though they yet

01:05:47may have to.

01:05:49They face a charge

01:05:49of conspiring

01:05:50with McGraw

01:05:51and persons unknown

01:05:52to commit grievous

01:05:53bodily harm

01:05:54and to demand money

01:05:55with menaces.

01:05:58Ladies and gentlemen

01:05:58of the jury,

01:06:00I put it to you

01:06:00that it is your

01:06:02responsibility

01:06:03to see that

01:06:04George and Arnold

01:06:05Kerl

01:06:06no longer

01:06:06contaminate

01:06:07our society.

01:06:10Thank you,

01:06:10my lord.

01:06:14My lord,

01:06:15members of the jury,

01:06:18my clients

01:06:19are charged

01:06:20with most serious

01:06:21offences.

01:06:23Indeed,

01:06:23most sickening

01:06:24offences

01:06:25for which the penalty

01:06:26is rightly

01:06:27most severe.

01:06:29Now, ladies and gentlemen,

01:06:31for persons

01:06:31to be convicted

01:06:32of such offences,

01:06:34the evidence

01:06:35against them

01:06:36must be overwhelming.

01:06:38Now, let's look

01:06:39at the evidence

01:06:40the prosecution

01:06:41put forward

01:06:41in this case.

01:06:43It consists

01:06:44solely of a statement,

01:06:46an alleged statement,

01:06:47made by a club owner,

01:06:48Stephen Telfer,

01:06:49whilst lying

01:06:50on a hospital bed.

01:06:52He had two fractures

01:06:53in his skull

01:06:53and he's been lying

01:06:55ever since

01:06:56in that hospital bed

01:06:58in a coma.

01:07:00Now, the question

01:07:00I want to ask you,

01:07:01ladies and gentlemen,

01:07:02is how coherent

01:07:04a statement

01:07:05can a man make

01:07:06in that condition?

01:07:09Dr Hayes

01:07:09was attending

01:07:10the injured man

01:07:10at the time

01:07:11and he swears

01:07:13in his affidavit

01:07:13that his patient

01:07:15was so rambling

01:07:16and incoherent

01:07:17that he couldn't

01:07:19make out

01:07:19anything he was saying.

01:07:20Now, Chief Inspector Crane

01:07:24and Detective Sergeant Walsh

01:07:25have, it appears,

01:07:26superior powers of hearing

01:07:28or is it

01:07:29that they just heard

01:07:31what they wanted

01:07:31to hear?

01:07:35Stephen Telfer

01:07:36was a police informer

01:07:38and thus a man

01:07:40with many potential enemies

01:07:41any one of whom

01:07:43might have been

01:07:43responsible for his injuries.

01:07:45Now, according

01:07:46to his alleged statement,

01:07:47one of these

01:07:48was Arthur Herbert McGraw.

01:07:50Now, if this was

01:07:51indeed so,

01:07:53there is nothing

01:07:54to connect Arthur McGraw

01:07:55with my clients.

01:07:58No one,

01:07:58not even the ubiquitous

01:08:00Chief Inspector Crane

01:08:01has ever seen McGraw

01:08:03in their company.

01:08:05But suspicion

01:08:07has fallen on the curls.

01:08:09A man suffering

01:08:11from severe head injuries,

01:08:12a man with no love

01:08:13for the accused,

01:08:14has allegedly murmured

01:08:16their name.

01:08:17And this has been reported

01:08:18by two police officers,

01:08:21one of whom

01:08:21had been enjoying

01:08:22considerable hospitality

01:08:24at the defendant's expense,

01:08:26while the other

01:08:27has since been

01:08:30suspended from duties.

01:08:33not particularly

01:08:35reliable sources,

01:08:37are they?

01:08:40No, ladies and gentlemen,

01:08:41it simply will not do.

01:08:42The prosecution

01:08:43have not proved their case.

01:08:45And I suggest

01:08:45there is no alternative

01:08:46for you but to

01:08:47find the defendants

01:08:49not guilty.

01:08:50Members of the jury,

01:08:58the counsel for the prosecution

01:09:00called this a sickening case.

01:09:02And in my opinion,

01:09:03rightly so,

01:09:03this is not Chicago,

01:09:05Illinois,

01:09:05this is Fulchester,

01:09:06England.

01:09:07Nonetheless,

01:09:08you must not allow

01:09:09indignation

01:09:10or prejudice

01:09:11to cloud your reason.

01:09:14You must consider the facts

01:09:15calmly and dispassionately.

01:09:18Now,

01:09:18the question

01:09:19you must ask yourselves

01:09:21is this.

01:09:22Has the prosecution

01:09:23proved beyond reasonable doubt

01:09:24that George and Arnold Curl

01:09:27did conspire

01:09:28with Arthur Herbert McGraw

01:09:29and person

01:09:30or persons unknown

01:09:32to commit

01:09:33grievous bodily harm

01:09:34and to demand

01:09:36money with menaces?

01:09:38Now,

01:09:39it's my duty

01:09:40to warn you

01:09:41that in law

01:09:42to conspire

01:09:43to commit a crime

01:09:45can be as grave

01:09:47an offence

01:09:47as the commission

01:09:48of the crime itself.

01:09:50Now,

01:09:51you must consider

01:09:52the evidence

01:09:52independently

01:09:53in relation to

01:09:55each of the two

01:09:56accused men.

01:09:57But if you decide

01:09:59that either

01:09:59or both

01:10:00of these two men

01:10:02did conspire

01:10:03with others

01:10:05to commit the crime

01:10:06with which they are charged,

01:10:08then

01:10:09you must bring in

01:10:10a verdict of guilty

01:10:11against one

01:10:12or both of them.

01:10:13but if you believe

01:10:15that they did not

01:10:16so conspire

01:10:16then you will find

01:10:19them not guilty.

01:10:21We will now retire

01:10:23and consider your verdict.

01:10:25All stand.

01:10:34Straight through.

01:10:38Bring up the prisoners.

01:11:03the prisoners.

01:11:15The court will rise.

01:11:26The prisoners will remain standing.

01:11:28Will the foreman please stand?

01:11:34Just to answer this question

01:11:35yes or no,

01:11:36have you reached a verdict

01:11:37upon which you are all agreed?

01:11:39Yes.

01:11:39Do you find the defendant

01:11:41George Curl

01:11:42guilty or not guilty

01:11:43of conspiring

01:11:44to commit grievous bodily harm?

01:11:46Guilty.

01:11:47Is that the verdict

01:11:48of you all?

01:11:49Yes.

01:11:50Do you find the defendant

01:11:51George Curl

01:11:52guilty or not guilty

01:11:53of demanding money

01:11:54with menaces?

01:11:55Guilty.

01:11:56That is the verdict

01:11:57of you all?

01:11:58Yes.

01:11:59Do you find the defendant

01:12:01Arnold Curl

01:12:02guilty or not guilty

01:12:03of committing

01:12:04grievous bodily harm?

01:12:06Guilty.

01:12:07Do you find the defendant

01:12:09guilty,

01:12:10Arnold Curl

01:12:11guilty or not guilty

01:12:12of demanding money

01:12:13with menaces?

01:12:14Guilty.

01:12:15Is that the verdict

01:12:16of you all?

01:12:16Yes.

01:12:20Have you anything to say

01:12:22either of you

01:12:23before I pass sentence?

01:12:26George and Arnold Curl

01:12:30you have been found

01:12:32guilty of conspiracy

01:12:33to commit crimes

01:12:35of quite appalling

01:12:36savagery and violence.

01:12:39Who knows

01:12:39how many innocent people

01:12:41have suffered

01:12:41under the terror

01:12:42that you unleashed.

01:12:44It's therefore

01:12:45my duty

01:12:46to see that you

01:12:47are put away

01:12:48for a long period

01:12:49of time

01:12:50in a place

01:12:51where you can

01:12:52no longer harm society.

01:12:53I sentence

01:12:55each of you

01:12:56to 12 years

01:12:57imprisonment.

01:12:59Take the prisoners down.

01:13:01Oh, Jesus!

01:13:02Oh, Jesus!

01:13:03Oh, Jesus!

01:13:12Come, rise!

01:13:14Next week,

01:13:28a chance for you

01:13:28to join another jury

01:13:29in assessing the facts

01:13:30when our cameras return

01:13:32to watch a leading case

01:13:33in the Crown Court.

01:13:35Mmm.

01:13:38Oh, God.

01:13:39Mmm.

01:13:41Ah.

01:13:53Oh, God.

01:14:00Oh, God.

01:14:00Mm.

Crown Court - Persimmons & Dishwashers (1973)

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended