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Crown Court: the gripping courtroom drama from the 1970s and 1980s.
The spurned lover of a Church of England clergyman is accused of blackmail after threatening to expose their affair unless the vicar pays £400. David Ashford and John Alkin star.
The spurned lover of a Church of England clergyman is accused of blackmail after threatening to expose their affair unless the vicar pays £400. David Ashford and John Alkin star.
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00:00:00The End
00:00:30The vicar received a letter from Miss Brewer, threatening to expose him.
00:00:34But the vicar's wife intercepted the letter and took it to the police.
00:00:38Soon afterwards, a second letter was written, and as a result, Janet Brewer and her brother Matthew Brewer stand accused of demanding money with menaces.
00:01:00In view of this, I now ask that the witness should be referred to throughout as the Reverend A.
00:01:13Of which church is your witness a minister?
00:01:15Church of England, my lord.
00:01:17Yes, I see.
00:01:18I don't like secrecy in my court.
00:01:20However, in a blackmail case, I see no alternative.
00:01:23I wish to make the same application in respect of his wife and call her Mrs A, my lord.
00:01:28Very well.
00:01:29Thank you, my lord.
00:01:30We come now to the matter of the two letters written by the defendants to the Reverend A.
00:01:35These are the letters in which the menaces were made.
00:01:38I will formally produce these letters later, but I'd like the jury to see them now.
00:01:43They should be marked exhibits one and two.
00:01:45Mr Dealey?
00:01:47I have no objections, my lord.
00:01:49May I ask how these letters came to be in the possession of the police?
00:01:52They were opened by the Reverend A's wife, my lord, and she passed them to the police.
00:01:56They were addressed to the Reverend A?
00:01:58Yes, my lord.
00:02:00I see.
00:02:02Have the jury all got copies?
00:02:05Yes, my lord.
00:02:07The first letter, dated the 11th of June of this year, was written to the Reverend A by the defendant, Miss Janet Brewer.
00:02:13The text is as follows.
00:02:15Dear Frank.
00:02:17Dear.
00:02:17You are still dear to me despite everything.
00:02:20I don't know how it is possible to go on loving someone like you, and yet I do.
00:02:24I just hope I don't have to go on loving...
00:02:26Well, I don't think I need to read the next few lines, my lord.
00:02:29I think we should hear it all.
00:02:31Very well.
00:02:31I just hope I don't have to go on loving you for the rest of my life.
00:02:38Anyway, I have to get on with my life alone.
00:02:40Get back to it, perhaps I should say, because I gave up everything which was my life for you and your promises.
00:02:44Left a job I liked, home and parents I loved, and took a lease on what was to have been our flat.
00:02:50So many things, so many things finished and spoiled.
00:02:53Why, why, Frank?
00:02:56For no better reason than your wife's money.
00:02:58Is money so important to you?
00:03:00All right.
00:03:01Money is no compensation for what you've done to me, but you've got to pay for your fun.
00:03:07You owe it to me.
00:03:08Because of you, I have over 400 pounds worth of debts, and you must pay.
00:03:13400?
00:03:14Oh, yes, my lord.
00:03:15The 4,000 pounds of the sum isn't mentioned until the second letter.
00:03:19I see.
00:03:19The letter continues.
00:03:21You'd better pay it, or it won't be only your wife who finds out.
00:03:25Here's those little secrets of yours, and what a weak hypocrite you are.
00:03:29The whole world will hear.
00:03:32Any trouble getting the money out of your wife?
00:03:34And I'm sure the newspapers would pay a lot for those photos you took.
00:03:39Coming to be your mistress cost me this much, and you must pay.
00:03:42Pay me now.
00:03:43Yours sincerely, Janet.
00:03:47The second letter is dated five days later, June the 16th,
00:03:51and was written by the other defendant, Miss Brewer's brother, Matthew Brewer.
00:03:54It reads,
00:03:56My sister has told me all that has taken place between you,
00:03:59and that you've not seen fit to answer her letter.
00:04:01I shall not abuse you here.
00:04:03You'll know my opinion of you.
00:04:05Yours cannot be much higher of yourself.
00:04:07To bring your part in this disgraceful affair to an end,
00:04:10you have involved my sister in much expense.
00:04:13In my opinion, the sum of 4,000 pounds is required
00:04:17to compensate her for everything she has spent for which she is liable,
00:04:21and not to mention all her suffering and pain.
00:04:23You must pay this, or we shall have to take other measures against you,
00:04:28which I'm sure I needn't elaborate.
00:04:31And then your life and reputation would also be ruined.
00:04:36Tomorrow evening at six, I shall come to your house
00:04:38when you had better have this money for me.
00:04:41Yours truly, Matthew J.B. Brewer.
00:04:42Mrs. A., I know that all of this is distasteful to you,
00:04:50and I'm sure everyone will try to spare you as much pain as possible.
00:04:53Do you know the two accused?
00:04:55Yes.
00:04:56I've known Mr. Brewer as a parishioner for some years.
00:04:59I've known Miss Brewer
00:05:00only since she began to take the Sunday school 18 months ago.
00:05:03The Sunday school attached to your husband's church?
00:05:05Yes.
00:05:06As far as you know,
00:05:07what was the relationship between your husband and Miss Brewer?
00:05:09Just a normal working relationship, I thought,
00:05:13until I opened that letter.
00:05:16Was this letter the first indication you had
00:05:18that your husband and Miss Brewer were more than just colleagues?
00:05:21Oh, no.
00:05:21I knew there was someone, but not her.
00:05:24She looks as though butter wouldn't melt in her mouth, doesn't she?
00:05:27Mrs. A., when you saw that first letter, what did you do?
00:05:30I confronted my husband with it.
00:05:31At first he denied it,
00:05:33but then he admitted that he'd been having what he called a little romance,
00:05:37but that it was already over and done with.
00:05:38Does your husband have any private means?
00:05:41He has nothing but his stipend.
00:05:43Any large sum would have to come from me.
00:05:45And you are a comparatively wealthy woman?
00:05:48Comparatively, yes.
00:05:49Do you make him an allowance?
00:05:50We have a joint account.
00:05:52Is your husband free to spend the money in this joint account on anything?
00:05:58Yes.
00:05:59Girlfriend?
00:06:00Flat for a girlfriend?
00:06:01I could always close the account.
00:06:03Mr. Lottwee, where do these questions lead us?
00:06:05You say you are calling the Reverend A. himself.
00:06:07These matters, if you feel the necessity, could surely be put to him.
00:06:10My lord, the Reverend A. is apparently a reluctant witness.
00:06:13It's been necessary for the police to serve him with the witness summons.
00:06:17I see.
00:06:17Moreover, Mrs. A. is able to establish a number of important points.
00:06:21Very well.
00:06:22Thank you, my lord.
00:06:23Now, what followed your husband's admission
00:06:25that he'd been having an affair with Miss Brewer?
00:06:27I took the letter to the police.
00:06:29What prompted you to do that?
00:06:31Well, it was crude blackmail, wasn't it?
00:06:33Threats to expose him, hints about secrets, photographs and newspapers.
00:06:39I showed it to the inspector at our local police station.
00:06:41What was his name?
00:06:42Inspector Savage.
00:06:43He said that he thought that it constituted a...
00:06:45Oh, quite so, Mr. Daly.
00:06:46Mrs. A., you must not say what the inspector said.
00:06:51Did the inspector come and see you and your husband?
00:06:53Yes.
00:06:54But my husband refused to do anything about it.
00:06:56He refused to lay a complaint, I believe the phrase is.
00:06:59And so the police were unable to bring a charge.
00:07:02Yes?
00:07:03Until the second letter came, yes.
00:07:05From him.
00:07:06From Matthew Brewer?
00:07:08Yes.
00:07:10What did you do?
00:07:11I showed that letter to the inspector as well.
00:07:15Did Inspector Savage and you agree upon a plan of action?
00:07:18Yes.
00:07:19What did you do?
00:07:19Well, knowing from his letter that Mr. Brewer was due to arrive at six that evening,
00:07:26the inspector and I placed ourselves outside the study door in order to be witnesses to what was said.
00:07:31And what took place?
00:07:33A first-class slanging match.
00:07:35Mr. Brewer called my husband all kinds of names.
00:07:38And then he shouted,
00:07:39By God, you'd better pay up or we'll drag your name through the Sunday newspapers.
00:07:44He called him an adulterer and a dirty hypocrite.
00:07:46Brewer shouted,
00:07:48By God, you'd better pay up or we'll drag your name through the Sunday newspapers.
00:07:52Yes.
00:07:53And then?
00:07:55Well, nothing.
00:07:56Your husband made no reply?
00:07:58Well, he didn't get the chance to.
00:08:00That was when I opened the door and rushed in.
00:08:02I wasn't going to have Brewer calling my husband names.
00:08:04You rushed into the...
00:08:05Did the inspector suggest this?
00:08:08No, I just got angry.
00:08:10Thank you, Mrs. A.
00:08:11Oh, would you remain there, please?
00:08:13I think that my husband is sometimes a foolish man and sometimes weak.
00:08:20But these are not criminal offences.
00:08:22A weak and foolish minister of the church.
00:08:24There have been weak and foolish saints.
00:08:26My husband is a good minister and a good Christian.
00:08:29And a good husband?
00:08:29Yes.
00:08:30You really say he's a good husband?
00:08:31Yes.
00:08:32In a minister of religion, then, and in a husband, you condone adultery?
00:08:35No, of course not.
00:08:36In spite of everything he's done, you still think he's a good husband, a good minister, and a good Christian?
00:08:41Yes, I do.
00:08:43And what do you think of Miss Brewer?
00:08:45Janet Brewer is a little tart.
00:08:50Will you please tell the jury how you first knew that your husband was having an affair?
00:08:54When I opened the letter, I said...
00:08:56No, before that, you said in your evidence-in-chief that I knew there was someone, but not her.
00:09:02Oh, then.
00:09:03Yes, then.
00:09:04You have to remember that the vicar of any church, and particularly a handsome man like
00:09:10my husband, is often an attractive and romantic figure to young, impressionable girls.
00:09:16Silly girls, many of them.
00:09:17Mrs. A, just answer my question, please.
00:09:20From time to time, one of them gets a crush on him, thinks she's in love, even.
00:09:26And your husband?
00:09:26Is sometimes tempted.
00:09:30And sometimes falls.
00:09:33Well.
00:09:34Is it a fact that your husband has had other affairs before this one with Miss Brewer?
00:09:39I.
00:09:40Please answer.
00:09:43I think sometimes.
00:09:45Often?
00:09:46No.
00:09:47And what did you do when you first guessed of this one?
00:09:49I waited for it to die a natural death.
00:09:51Like the others?
00:09:53Yes.
00:09:53And when this one did not die, what did you do?
00:09:56Did you bring any pressure to bear on your husband?
00:09:58No.
00:09:59Financial pressures?
00:10:00No.
00:10:00No?
00:10:04Obliquely, I may have intimated that...
00:10:06That what?
00:10:08That my money was not for the purpose of entertaining silly girls.
00:10:11So you gave your husband to understand that unless he ended the affair, you would see to
00:10:15it that he was kept short of money?
00:10:17No.
00:10:17Well, that was a substance of what you intimated, however, obliquely, wasn't it?
00:10:21I suppose it was.
00:10:23And you don't think that Janet Brewer is a silly girl, do you?
00:10:26You believe that she's a little taut.
00:10:30You've also testified that your husband at first refused to lay a complaint against Miss
00:10:34Brewer.
00:10:35Yes.
00:10:36When did he appear to change his mind?
00:10:37He changed his mind when he saw the second letter.
00:10:40It was an obvious blackmail attempt.
00:10:42The jury will decide that, madam.
00:10:44So your husband accompanied you on your second visit to the police with Mr. Brewer's letter,
00:10:51did he?
00:10:53No.
00:10:54But you've just said he changed his mind after he saw that second letter.
00:10:58He hadn't seen it at that point.
00:11:00He hadn't seen it at that point.
00:11:03Let's recapitulate a little then.
00:11:06Your husband was having a love affair, which you broke up by threatening to cut him off
00:11:10from your money.
00:11:11Then you took a letter, addressed to him, and without his consent showed it to the police.
00:11:18Then you agreed to hide and spy on a private...
00:11:20Not to spy!
00:11:21Well, we may disagree upon words, but you don't deny the facts, do you?
00:11:25No.
00:11:26In fact, you were practising a series of deceptions upon your husband.
00:11:32Madam, do you love your husband?
00:11:33Yes.
00:11:35And you do almost anything to keep him?
00:11:36No, no, it's not like that.
00:11:39But it's not!
00:11:40Be quiet.
00:11:42Mr. Dealey, you must warn your client that she must not interrupt these proceedings.
00:11:45I'm, er...
00:11:46I'm sure my client would like to apologise for her interruptions, my lord, but she's not
00:11:50been well, and this may have a bearing on her conduct.
00:11:53Very well.
00:11:54Let's get on.
00:11:57Mrs. A.
00:12:00Yes?
00:12:01An alias to protect you and your husband's position?
00:12:05Yes.
00:12:06A privilege granted you by the law, but no such privilege is granted the accused?
00:12:11No.
00:12:12Did you know before you went to the police that if you brought a blackmail charge that
00:12:15you and your husband would enjoy this, um, protection from publicity?
00:12:19No.
00:12:21What, you've never heard of this happening in a blackmail case before?
00:12:23Never.
00:12:24Really?
00:12:27Mrs. A., you knew, I suppose, that it would have been possible for Miss Brewer to have
00:12:30taken your husband to court, to have sued him for this money that she believes is owing
00:12:34her?
00:12:34She wouldn't have won.
00:12:35But you know she could have done it?
00:12:37Possibly.
00:12:38And you knew that when you read that letter, didn't you?
00:12:40I don't think I thought about it.
00:12:42What would have been the result to your husband of such an action, with all its attendant publicity?
00:12:48I really don't know.
00:12:50Your opinion?
00:12:52It would have harmed him.
00:12:55It would have told the whole world about him, wouldn't it?
00:12:58Yes.
00:12:59Yes, indeed.
00:13:00And you knew that when you read those letters, didn't you?
00:13:02Oh, my God.
00:13:32Mr. Dealey, is Miss Brewer quite recovered?
00:13:38Yes, my Lord.
00:13:39I'm glad to hear it.
00:13:42Your husband had had previous affairs.
00:13:45So when you read those letters, you realised the Brewer's might start legal proceedings
00:13:48in which the publicity would ruin your husband.
00:13:52Whereas if you brought a charge of blackmail, you would be allowed to keep your identity secret.
00:13:56No, that's not so.
00:13:57And you took that second letter to the police before your husband had even seen it?
00:14:01Yes.
00:14:02And did you, to bolster up your charge of blackmail, Mrs. A,
00:14:06add an extra nought to the figure of 400 in Mr. Brewer's letter?
00:14:09No, certainly not.
00:14:13Thank you, Mrs. A.
00:14:14No further questions.
00:14:17You may stand down.
00:14:17Reverend A, on the 12th and 17th of June last, you received two letters.
00:14:26Would you look at Exhibits 1 and 2, please?
00:14:30Are those the letters?
00:14:32Yes.
00:14:32Now, both letters were opened by your wife in the normal course of events,
00:14:36and as a result of the letters and your conversations with the police,
00:14:39you laid a complaint against the two accused, Miss Janet Brewer and Mr. Matthew Brewer,
00:14:43as a result of which they stand charged with demanding money with menaces.
00:14:47Is all that correct?
00:14:49No.
00:14:49Did not your wife in the normal course of events open your mail?
00:14:56Well, do you think it's in the normal course of events for a wife to open her husband's mail?
00:15:01In the case of yourself and your wife, it isn't unusual, is it?
00:15:04Well, she opened the letter from Janet, Miss Brewer,
00:15:06because she thought I was having an affair and she wanted to know who with.
00:15:10And she took the other letter to the police before I'd even seen it.
00:15:12Did not your wife regularly deal with your mail with your full knowledge of consent?
00:15:18Consent? No.
00:15:20You forbade it?
00:15:21Why, does your case fall down if I did?
00:15:23Just answer the question, please.
00:15:24You answer mine first.
00:15:25You must answer, counsel.
00:15:27Must I?
00:15:28Well, what does forbid mean?
00:15:30Let us not go into semantics.
00:15:32You are under oath, you are giving evidence, and you've been directed to answer.
00:15:35I'm giving evidence under protest.
00:15:38You're beginning to make that plain.
00:15:39Did you at any time ask your wife not to open your mail?
00:15:45Well, if I had, she'd have been talking about something else before I'd even finished the sentence.
00:15:50A gentle, unremitting persuasion is Hillary.
00:15:54Now, please answer the question, yes or no.
00:15:58But I have. It's not a yes-no question.
00:16:00Answer, counsel.
00:16:02Well, not in so many words, no.
00:16:06Thank you very much.
00:16:07Now, will you look at the letter marked to Exhibit Two?
00:16:13Do you recognise the handwriting?
00:16:14Yes. It's Matthew Brewers.
00:16:16How do you know his writing?
00:16:17Well, I forget how, but I've seen his writing in connection with church matters.
00:16:21What was your relationship with the accused, Miss Janet Brewer?
00:16:25Friendship and warm affection.
00:16:27Very warm?
00:16:29Very warm.
00:16:30Would it be too much to say you were in love with her?
00:16:33Well, I don't know.
00:16:34How far did the relationship go?
00:16:37What do you mean?
00:16:39You were intimate?
00:16:40No.
00:16:40You are under oath, Reverend.
00:16:41We were not intimate.
00:16:42I did not have carnal knowledge of her, and I did not commit adultery.
00:16:46Simply because none of those nasty euphemisms describes it.
00:16:50We made love.
00:16:51Janet and I made love.
00:16:53Did you arrange to go and live with Miss Brewer?
00:16:58She took a flat so that we could be together, but whether when it came to it I'd have moved
00:17:02in with her, I don't know.
00:17:04But at this time you intended that the relationship should last for a lengthy period.
00:17:08Yes.
00:17:09What made you change your mind?
00:17:12Cowardice and confusion.
00:17:14I'm an ordained clergyman, and I did not take orders lightly.
00:17:18And I'm also a married man, and I did not take my marriage vows lightly.
00:17:23It was conscience, then?
00:17:24Yes.
00:17:25And not threats of any kind by your wife to deprive you of money?
00:17:29No.
00:17:30You ended your affair with Janet Brewer because of a crisis of conscience?
00:17:34Yes.
00:17:34Who was to be responsible for the lease of the flat and any other arrangement she made?
00:17:40I was.
00:17:42I'll put that question to you again.
00:17:45Who was to be responsible for the expenses of moving and of the lease that Miss Brewer took
00:17:49on the flat?
00:17:50I was.
00:17:52Did you discuss who would pay for these expenses?
00:17:55I said I'd pay, I think.
00:17:57You think?
00:17:58Well, money was something that I rarely discussed with Janet, but I think I said I'd pay.
00:18:02You think, but you're not sure.
00:18:04Now, can you remember the words of any such conversation?
00:18:06Well, not the words, no.
00:18:07And you just said money wasn't something you discussed with her.
00:18:13You said you felt friendship and a very warm affection for Miss Brewer.
00:18:16What do you feel for her now?
00:18:18The same.
00:18:19And sad and guilty.
00:18:22Very strong feelings.
00:18:23Yes.
00:18:24I ask you again.
00:18:26Did you agree to pay for Miss Brewer's flat?
00:18:30Well, it wasn't discussed.
00:18:34But I do owe her something.
00:18:36What?
00:18:39Even before you received her letter, you were told Miss Brewer that your affair was over?
00:18:44Well, I told her that I needed time to think.
00:18:46And I did think, but in the end, I'm ashamed to say I did nothing.
00:18:51And then later she phoned me at home and then I told her that it was over and why.
00:18:56And then a week or so after that, her letter came.
00:18:58What was your reaction when you first read her letter?
00:19:02Shock.
00:19:03Numbness.
00:19:04Shocked that this girl could have written you such a letter?
00:19:06No, no, no, no.
00:19:07Shocked because I decided to stay with my wife and now here she was, waving this letter under
00:19:11my nose and accusing me.
00:19:12But the contents of the letter, the demand for money, what did you make of that?
00:19:16Well, I didn't know how I could pay it, now that my wife knew.
00:19:19But you considered paying?
00:19:21Well, of course, yes.
00:19:22Because of the consequences to yourself and your career, if you did not.
00:19:26Well, myself, my marriage, my church, I mean, everything.
00:19:29This same hodgepodge of cowardice and confusion.
00:19:32The threats in the letter frightened and confused you?
00:19:36Well, I was confused and frightened that I might hurt anyone anymore.
00:19:41But it did take them to be threats and considered paying the demands.
00:19:44Yes, but I knew that she didn't mean them.
00:19:46A letter mentioned the sum of 400 pounds.
00:19:51Now, in the next letter from Mr Brewer, the demand had increased to 4,000 pounds.
00:19:56What did you make of that?
00:19:58Nothing.
00:19:59A mistake, that's all.
00:20:00Well, 400 pounds was about right.
00:20:02But look, I think you've got the wrong impression.
00:20:04A mistake? What do you mean?
00:20:04A slip of the pen?
00:20:06Well, yes.
00:20:07Figures.
00:20:08An extra nought, that's all.
00:20:09If there could be a slip one way, an extra nought, it's possible there could be a slip the
00:20:12other way, isn't it?
00:20:13A nought left off.
00:20:15Left off?
00:20:16By Janet, you mean?
00:20:18You mean that Janet really meant to ask for 4,000 pounds?
00:20:21Well, it is possible, isn't it?
00:20:22No, no, no, it is not.
00:20:25Dear God in heaven, I know you want a conviction, but I don't think you'd stoop to that.
00:20:28Mr A, you really...
00:20:29Very well, they should never have been brought to court.
00:20:31They're not guilty of anything.
00:20:33Now, I warn you...
00:20:33I told them I would pay right from the beginning.
00:20:36Mr A, you will be silent and listen to me.
00:20:39Now, this is a court of law, and I will tolerate no further discourtesy to it
00:20:44or to counsel, or any further outbreak of any kind from you.
00:20:47I was forced to come here.
00:20:49They subpoenaed me.
00:20:50This whole thing is an absolute sham.
00:20:52If you are not silent and don't behave yourself, I warn you that I may be forced to commit you
00:20:58for contempt of this court.
00:20:59I may then commit you to prison until the contempt is, in my opinion, purged,
00:21:06and you satisfy me that you're going to behave yourself.
00:21:10I'm sorry.
00:21:13Please continue, Mr Lottabit.
00:21:15My lord, during his outburst, the witnesses retracted earlier testimony.
00:21:20I do see that.
00:21:21I'm sure the jury will make due allowance.
00:21:26Reverend A, do we understand you now to claim that even before a seat of these letters,
00:21:31you would agree to compensate Miss Brewer for any expenses she incurred in moving home
00:21:34to be your mistress?
00:21:37Yes.
00:21:39My lord, may I have leave for the Reverend A to be treated as a hostile witness to the crown?
00:21:43The case of the Queen versus Brewer and Brewer will be resumed tomorrow in the crown court.
00:22:13In the case of Regina versus Brewer and Brewer,
00:22:25it was yesterday revealed that former Sunday school teacher Janet Brewer
00:22:28had been the mistress of a married Church of England clergyman.
00:22:32When that affair ended, Miss Brewer, and later her brother Matthew Brewer,
00:22:36wrote to the man whom the court has agreed to call the Reverend A, and asked for money.
00:22:40As a result of these two letters, the brewers stand accused of demanding money with menaces,
00:22:46of blackmail.
00:22:47Crown witness, the Reverend A, however, has been seen to change his evidence under oath,
00:22:52and was cautioned by the judge.
00:22:54Finally, prosecution counsel Charles Lotterby asked that he be allowed to treat the Reverend A
00:22:59as a hostile witness.
00:23:01I have carefully considered this question overnight.
00:23:26All right. Now, much of the crown case may depend upon the testimony of the Reverend A,
00:23:33and therefore, in view of this witness's attitude, his behaviour in the witness box,
00:23:39and the apparent contradiction in his evidence,
00:23:42I give leave that he may be treated by the prosecution as a hostile witness.
00:23:46Now, this means, members of the jury, that counsel for the crown is permitted to treat this witness rather differently.
00:23:56The crown, for whom this witness appears, may now ask leading questions directly.
00:24:03And you, members of the jury, will bear in mind
00:24:05that the witness has been held to be hostile to the prosecution case.
00:24:09Reverend, I'd remind you, you are still under oath.
00:24:18Yes.
00:24:19You were under oath yesterday when you suddenly claimed you'd agreed to pay Miss Brewer.
00:24:23Yes.
00:24:24I put it to you that it is your bad conscience over your treatment of your mistress
00:24:27which is now making you want to tell less than the truth to this court.
00:24:30Now, you've had a chance to reconsider, and I ask you again,
00:24:32or will you interrupt me every few words?
00:24:35Do you truly agree to pay Miss Brewer?
00:24:36My Lord.
00:24:38Mr. Ray, I have had to warn you before about misbehaviour in this court,
00:24:41and I warn you now for the last time.
00:24:43If there is any further instance of it, you will go to prison.
00:24:47Now, answer counsel's questions directly and clearly.
00:24:50My Lord, I'm quite willing to answer, but I won't be bullied or talked over.
00:24:54Now, two good and innocent people are accused of a very serious crime.
00:24:58You are not being bullied.
00:24:59You are being treated as a hostile witness, and you have brought that upon yourself.
00:25:04Now, it is my responsibility to see that you are fairly treated,
00:25:08and it is the responsibility of the jury to decide upon innocence or guilt.
00:25:15Can I answer now?
00:25:16Answer counsel's questions.
00:25:20Now, let us come more gently to it.
00:25:24There are two letters.
00:25:25They were written by your ex-mistress and her brother.
00:25:27You say the affair ended only because of your bad conscience.
00:25:32Upon receipt of the second letter, you were seen by the police,
00:25:35you made a deposition, and you laid a complaint against the two accused.
00:25:38Now, you do not disagree with any of that?
00:25:42No.
00:25:43Good.
00:25:45Now, we'll come in a moment to your interview with Mr. Brewer.
00:25:48Most important now, I think, is the question of your present feelings.
00:25:51Now, you deeply regret what you yourself have described as your cowardly and confused behaviour in all of this, do you not?
00:25:57Yes, I do.
00:25:58Do you think you can put it right by telling the court anything less than the whole truth?
00:26:03No.
00:26:03Was there ever, at any time, any conversation between yourself and Miss Brewer
00:26:08at which you told her that you would pay for all or even some of her expenses?
00:26:14No.
00:26:20Now, you've also testified that after receiving the first letter,
00:26:23you intended to pay the sum demanded because the threats of exposure frightened and confused you.
00:26:28Well, I thought there were threats then, yes.
00:26:30Yes.
00:26:32Now, Mr. Brewer came to see you on the evening of the 17th of June.
00:26:35Yes.
00:26:36Did Mr. Brewer say at that meeting,
00:26:38by God, you'd better pay up or we'll drag your name through the Sunday newspapers?
00:26:41Yes.
00:26:42At that time, what did you take him to mean by that?
00:26:44Well, I thought he meant just that,
00:26:46that he'd tell the papers and I'd be involved in a scandal.
00:26:49A threat calculated to make you pay up unwillingly?
00:26:51I don't know about unwillingly.
00:26:53Well, you wouldn't have paid willingly, would you, in the face of threats?
00:26:58I threatened at all if you were willing.
00:27:00Janet and her brother...
00:27:01You were unwilling.
00:27:03My wife and the policeman came bursting into the room at that point.
00:27:06Sir, I haven't had the chance to hear what Matthew really meant.
00:27:09But you thought he was threatening.
00:27:11I thought he had.
00:27:13But subsequently, you find yourself growing more and more sympathetic towards him.
00:27:18Yes.
00:27:18You'd like to see him get out of this situation which he himself has created by his threats.
00:27:23That's right, isn't it?
00:27:27Perhaps.
00:27:29Reverend, we have heard you called uncomplimentary names in this court.
00:27:37And you've described yourself in terms of not exactly flattering.
00:27:40Yet you've committed no offence, have you?
00:27:42No.
00:27:43Unless I'm much mistaken, you've tried very hard, sometimes painfully, to be honest with us.
00:27:48Yes, I have.
00:27:49And you're not hostile towards the cause of justice and truth, are you?
00:27:53No.
00:27:54Well, let's see if we cannot get a little closer to the truth of this matter.
00:28:00What kind of people are the Brewers?
00:28:03Well, Janet's one of the nicest, kindest, most straightforward and loving people that I know.
00:28:09That's a glowing testimonial.
00:28:10Well, it's true.
00:28:12And her brother, Matthew Brewer?
00:28:13Well, I don't know Matthew.
00:28:14My Lord, he was asking for the witness's opinions.
00:28:16They are more than the witness's opinions, my Lord.
00:28:18They're his knowledge and experience of the people involved in this trial.
00:28:21Oh, Mr. Dealey, you know better than that.
00:28:23If you're establishing their good character, say so.
00:28:27Very well, my Lord.
00:28:29Mr. A, would you agree that the rules and regulations of institutions sometimes makes life very hard for people of goodwill?
00:28:36Mr. Dealey.
00:28:37Institutions such as the church, my Lord.
00:28:39Yes. Yes, I'd agree with that.
00:28:43Now, you have testified that at first you felt that the two letters and Mr. Brewer's remarks to you were intentionally threatening.
00:28:51Calculated to make you pay up unwillingly was counsel's phrase.
00:28:54Now, what do you feel now?
00:28:56Well, I know that they can't have been meant like that.
00:28:58Well, how could they have been meant then?
00:29:00What do you believe now?
00:29:02Well, that they were justified.
00:29:04It just hadn't occurred to me that these things cost money, that's all.
00:29:07Would you amplify that, please?
00:29:09I'm naive, perhaps, but I haven't had much experience in these things.
00:29:14It's just that it didn't occur to me that Janet would have to spend so much money.
00:29:18And if it had, then, of course, I'd have felt that I'd have had to pay up willingly.
00:29:22So, you see, they weren't threats.
00:29:24It was just that I seemed to be avoiding my responsibilities.
00:29:29I see.
00:29:30Well, we've heard evidence to say that you're not quite as naive as that.
00:29:34We've been told that you've had other affairs before this one.
00:29:37Is that what my wife said?
00:29:38Is it true?
00:29:40My wife and I, like many other people, have had marital troubles, for which I'm much to blame.
00:29:46But when I found problems and jealousy at home, I looked outside for what was pleasanter.
00:29:52I'm flattered to be found attractive.
00:29:54I flirted.
00:29:56I've had several romances, but whatever my wife believes, I was never unfaithful to her until Janet.
00:30:02But she believes otherwise?
00:30:04I'm afraid so.
00:30:05Now, you said that her threats to cut you off from money did not influence your decision to end the affair.
00:30:11No.
00:30:11Although she did make such threats.
00:30:13Yes, she did.
00:30:14Did your wife make any attempt to persuade you to lay a complaint against the brewers?
00:30:20Yes, when the first letter came from Janet, but I refused to do anything.
00:30:24And then later, when the other letter came, well, I was angry enough at first to need no persuading.
00:30:28At first?
00:30:29But later you changed your mind?
00:30:31Well, as I said, they were justified.
00:30:34I mean, any man would want to take his responsibility, unwillingly.
00:30:37We come now to this matter which Council has described as a slip of the pen, the 400 or the 4,000 pounds.
00:30:45Now, you said, I believe, that 400 was about right.
00:30:49Now, what did you mean by that?
00:30:50I meant that 400 pounds was about the sum that it would have cost Janet.
00:30:54And how did you arrive at that?
00:30:57Well, she took a three-month lease.
00:30:59That's 200 pounds.
00:31:00And then she gave up her job, a month's salary.
00:31:03And she had to buy some things, furniture, fares, expenses.
00:31:07I did some sums, and it does come to about 400 pounds.
00:31:11And did you, in fact, attempt to send her a cheque for that amount?
00:31:14Yes, I did, and she returned it to me herself.
00:31:17So there is no doubt in your mind that the extra naught in Mr Brewer's letter was pure accident and not intended as the sum requested?
00:31:25There's no doubt at all.
00:31:26Now, how on earth can the witness know what was in Mr Brewer's mind?
00:31:31One last question, Mr A.
00:31:34You said you were not sure whether or not you were in love with Miss Brewer.
00:31:37Now, what other reason could you have had for a love affair with her?
00:31:40Life is very brief.
00:31:45And I thought that perhaps she and I were entitled to a little happiness.
00:31:52Life is very brief.
00:31:54Would you care to enlarge on that?
00:31:57No.
00:31:58Whose life?
00:32:00All lives.
00:32:01Some in particular.
00:32:04Very well.
00:32:05Would you agree that the whole question of your unwillingness and their menaces and threats hinges upon your fear of publicity regarding this affair?
00:32:14Don't try and answer that question.
00:32:16It's one for the jury.
00:32:17Well, they wouldn't be menaces or threats unless you feared the consequences to yourself, would they?
00:32:21That is a question of law.
00:32:23You do realise that if you really owed this money, that Miss Brewer could have taken you to court and sued you for it?
00:32:31Yes.
00:32:32And if she had, the publicity and the consequences towards yourself would have been just as serious, would they not?
00:32:40But is that what the letters meant?
00:32:43What do you think they meant?
00:32:45Well, yes.
00:32:47Perhaps that's what they did mean.
00:32:50Thank you, Mr A.
00:32:51Inspector Savage, what took place at that first interview with the Reverend A?
00:33:20He refused to take any action, sir.
00:33:23We had to let the matter drop.
00:33:24And then what happened on the 17th of June?
00:33:27Mrs A came to see me again with a second letter.
00:33:29This from Miss Brewer's brother, Matthew Brewer.
00:33:32The contents of this letter might also have constituted an offence against the Theft Act.
00:33:38So I suggested an arrangement with Mrs A.
00:33:40What sort of arrangement, Inspector?
00:33:42An arrangement by which we will both be within earshot when Mr Brewer met with the Reverend.
00:33:47An arrangement of which the Reverend A was unaware?
00:33:50Yes, sir.
00:33:51In view of his previous attitude, I couldn't count on his cooperation.
00:33:56When Mrs A brought this second letter to you, did you know that this was also without her husband's knowledge?
00:34:01No, sir.
00:34:02He knew about the first one.
00:34:03I assumed that much the same circumstances could be accorded to the second.
00:34:08Quite.
00:34:09What took place at this meeting between the Reverend A and the accused, Matthew Brewer?
00:34:13Well, the accused arrived about 1800 hours on June the 17th.
00:34:17He was shown into the study by the Reverend.
00:34:19Mrs A and myself were in a passage outside another door to the study.
00:34:23Were you able to hear their conversation?
00:34:25Oh, yes, sir.
00:34:26Clearly.
00:34:26What was said?
00:34:27Verbatim, sir.
00:34:28Was it a long meeting?
00:34:30No, sir.
00:34:30Word for word, then.
00:34:36The Reverend said,
00:34:37Matthew, Matthew, I'm so very sorry.
00:34:41And Brewer replied,
00:34:43So you damn well might be, you fornicator.
00:34:46The Reverend said,
00:34:47There's not much to be gained by name calling, is there?
00:34:50Let's see if we can't sort something out now.
00:34:53Brewer said,
00:34:55Sort what out?
00:34:56Don't think you'll smooth this over.
00:34:58You've ruined my sister, broke her heart.
00:35:00At the very least, you'll pay for that.
00:35:02You call yourself a man of God, you're not fit to go into a church.
00:35:05What did the Reverend A reply to that?
00:35:08He said,
00:35:09Don't judge me, Matthew.
00:35:10There are many things you don't know.
00:35:12And Brewer replied,
00:35:14I know you.
00:35:15I know you're trying to get out of the money that you owe us.
00:35:19And the Reverend said,
00:35:20Yes, what is this blackmail nonsense, Matthew?
00:35:23Reverend A used the word blackmail?
00:35:25Yes, sir.
00:35:27They're quite sure of that?
00:35:28Oh, yes, sir.
00:35:28He said,
00:35:29What is this blackmail business, Matthew?
00:35:32It's not at all like you.
00:35:34And then?
00:35:36Well, Brewer said very angrily,
00:35:38By God, you better pay,
00:35:39or we'll drag your name through the Sunday papers.
00:35:41But Mr. Ray interrupted him and said,
00:35:44Don't threaten.
00:35:47And then Mr. Brewer began to shout,
00:35:49You swine, adulterer,
00:35:51you dirty, filthy hypocrite,
00:35:53you and your smug old wife who keeps you,
00:35:55I see you both in...
00:35:57And that was the moment, sir,
00:35:58when Mrs. Warren dove...
00:35:59I will be grateful to members of the press
00:36:01if they do not publish that name.
00:36:03I also ask anybody in court not to repeat it.
00:36:06I'm sorry, my lord.
00:36:08Go on, Inspector.
00:36:10Now, that was the moment when Mrs. A
00:36:12rushed into the study,
00:36:15and there was nothing I could do to prevent it.
00:36:18Nothing more was said after they'd seen me.
00:36:21After Brewer had gone,
00:36:22I spoke with the reverend,
00:36:23and he agreed to bring a complaint.
00:36:26With that persuasion from any...
00:36:27of his own free will, sir.
00:36:29Thank you, Inspector.
00:36:31I have no questions of this witness, my lord.
00:36:33Thank you, Inspector.
00:36:34You may stand up.
00:36:35That concludes the case for the prosecution.
00:36:43I did.
00:36:44Yes, I did.
00:36:46Well, you may have taken the flat in your name, yes,
00:36:48but who looked for it?
00:36:49Who found it?
00:36:51Well, I'm not sure now.
00:36:52We both looked for somewhere.
00:36:53And which of you found this one?
00:36:55I believe Frank did, but I could...
00:36:57the reverend A.
00:36:59How did you first meet him?
00:37:01He was vicar of my local church.
00:37:03And what was your connection with the church?
00:37:05Well, when I got my teaching diploma,
00:37:07I went home to live and got a job.
00:37:09Then I went along to the church
00:37:11because the Sunday school teacher was retiring.
00:37:14I took over.
00:37:16Can you tell us if that brought you
00:37:17into frequent contact with the reverend A?
00:37:19Not at first so much,
00:37:20but when we began to like each other,
00:37:22well, we both found excuses to meet more often.
00:37:25Which of you made the, well,
00:37:28the running in your relationship?
00:37:32I suppose it was mutual, 50-50, I don't know.
00:37:35And eventually whose suggestion was it
00:37:36that you should leave home and take a flat?
00:37:39His.
00:37:40Did you see much of Mrs. A during this time?
00:37:44A bit.
00:37:44Did you see them together?
00:37:46Yes.
00:37:46And how did they behave towards each other?
00:37:48I don't know what you mean.
00:37:49I mean, what sort of relationship did they have?
00:37:53Well, they were both kind and considerate
00:37:55right from the start towards me.
00:37:57Yes, but towards each other.
00:37:58I know what you're trying to do.
00:37:59You're trying to make it look as if it was all his fault.
00:38:02You must just answer my questions, Miss Brewer.
00:38:07Now, in your letter,
00:38:08you mentioned the sum of 400 pounds
00:38:10as being what the reverend A owed you.
00:38:12How did you arrive at that sum?
00:38:15I had to pay a quarter's rent in advance.
00:38:17I made a check out for 200 pounds.
00:38:19So you had sufficient money at the time
00:38:20to write a check for 200 pounds?
00:38:22My father lent it to me.
00:38:24What else?
00:38:26Well, the removal men cost 12 pounds 50.
00:38:29I had to live the month I was alone,
00:38:31say, 15 pounds a week.
00:38:33I had to buy furniture.
00:38:35Altogether, I spent 139 pounds furnishing the flat.
00:38:40Well, that totals more than 400 pounds already,
00:38:42and I take it that you were not earning during this time.
00:38:44No, I gave up my job in Forchester to move.
00:38:48When you wrote to him,
00:38:50I have over 400 pounds worth of debts and you must pay,
00:38:54what did you mean by this?
00:38:55That I'd got the debts
00:38:56because he said I should get a flat encouraged me.
00:38:59So I thought he should pay.
00:39:01Money is no compensation for what you've done to me,
00:39:04but you've got to pay for your fun.
00:39:06What did you mean by that?
00:39:08I was angry and bitter when I wrote that.
00:39:10I was hurt.
00:39:10I felt he just used me,
00:39:13had an affair and chickened out.
00:39:15What little secrets?
00:39:17What?
00:39:18To what little secrets of the Reverend Gentleman
00:39:20were you referring?
00:39:21Do I have to say?
00:39:23Well, it would be better if you can.
00:39:25Well, they were little personal things between lovers.
00:39:29Ways in which he liked to make love?
00:39:31Yes.
00:39:32Yes, I suppose so.
00:39:34Any trouble getting the money out of your wife?
00:39:36And I'm sure the newspapers would pay a lot
00:39:38for those photos you took.
00:39:40Were these photographs of the two of you together?
00:39:42Yes.
00:39:43Why should a newspaper want to buy photographs
00:39:44of a girl with a clergyman?
00:39:46Well, we were clowning.
00:39:47It sounds worse than it was, but...
00:39:50But what?
00:39:52Well, for example,
00:39:53one of them,
00:39:54we weren't dressed.
00:39:55Frank set the Polaroid on delayed action
00:39:57and was clowning about,
00:39:59holding up his dog collar.
00:40:01In no way obscene photographs.
00:40:02No.
00:40:03But I suppose
00:40:04potentially highly embarrassing for a churchman.
00:40:06They may have been.
00:40:07Now, when you wrote this,
00:40:09did you have any intention
00:40:09of selling those photographs
00:40:11to force the Reverend A
00:40:12to pay you the money?
00:40:13I didn't have the pictures.
00:40:14He had them.
00:40:15So you're saying that the pictures
00:40:17were not
00:40:18and are not in your possession?
00:40:20Frank's got them
00:40:21or burned them.
00:40:22So they were not much of a threat then,
00:40:24were they?
00:40:24No.
00:40:26Did you ask anyone for advice
00:40:27about the possibility
00:40:28of suing the Reverend A
00:40:30for the money?
00:40:31Yes, I did.
00:40:32Who?
00:40:33My brother.
00:40:33So you did consider
00:40:35the possibility
00:40:36of suing him?
00:40:37Yes.
00:40:38Would you have gone that far?
00:40:40No.
00:40:41It was just one of those silly thoughts.
00:40:44One of all the things
00:40:45I thought of.
00:40:46What do you feel now
00:40:48for the Reverend A?
00:40:49I still love him.
00:40:52Despite everything?
00:40:54Yes.
00:40:54And what would you do now
00:40:56if he asked you
00:40:57to become his lover again?
00:40:59I'd refuse.
00:41:00And if he asked you
00:41:01to become his wife?
00:41:02I'd say no.
00:41:04Miss Brewer,
00:41:05is your health good?
00:41:07No, but I don't see
00:41:08that my health
00:41:09has got anything to do with this.
00:41:10But the doctors say
00:41:11that you are in fact very ill.
00:41:13I feel all right.
00:41:14They say I have an illness.
00:41:15It's got nothing to do with this.
00:41:16Thank you, Miss Brewer.
00:41:22Miss Brewer,
00:41:23you claim still
00:41:24to love the Reverend A.
00:41:25Why would you say no
00:41:26if he asked you to be his wife?
00:41:27I love him despite myself.
00:41:29You'd prefer not to love him?
00:41:30Of course.
00:41:32What do you mean by love?
00:41:35I don't know how to answer that.
00:41:36How do you feel
00:41:37when you love a man?
00:41:38How does it make you act?
00:41:39I want the best for him.
00:41:41And for yourself, naturally.
00:41:43Don't women sometimes
00:41:46use this word love
00:41:47to cover a multitude of sins,
00:41:49to excuse the inexcusable,
00:41:50to lie and cheat
00:41:51and hide things
00:41:52all in the name of love?
00:41:53Do you think this sometimes happens?
00:41:55Some people sometimes, I suppose.
00:41:57For a woman who claims to be in love,
00:41:58how do you think you've behaved?
00:42:00Well or badly?
00:42:01Not well.
00:42:02No.
00:42:04No, you contrived to have an affair
00:42:05with a married man,
00:42:06a not unhappily married man.
00:42:08You deceived his wife
00:42:09over a lengthy period
00:42:10and then when he decided to end it
00:42:11for moral and good reasons,
00:42:13you became very angry
00:42:14and vindictive, didn't you?
00:42:15Yes.
00:42:16You wanted to hurt him then,
00:42:17didn't you?
00:42:18Yes.
00:42:18You cast about for any way
00:42:19in which to hurt and embarrass him.
00:42:21Yes, I did.
00:42:22And settled at last
00:42:23upon this letter,
00:42:25knowing that it would
00:42:26wound and frighten him.
00:42:27Not frighten.
00:42:28You knew that his wife
00:42:29often used to open his mail,
00:42:31didn't you?
00:42:31Yes, I knew.
00:42:32You wrote this letter
00:42:33with a premeditated intention
00:42:35of exposing him to his wife,
00:42:37of hurting and embarrassing him
00:42:38and threatening
00:42:39that it would not end there.
00:42:41Isn't that so?
00:42:42I thought she might find out.
00:42:44Yes, I hope she would.
00:42:45You behaved in such a cruel manner
00:42:46when he'd been nothing
00:42:48but chivalrous towards you.
00:42:49I felt he deserved it.
00:42:51And you did it for money as well.
00:42:53No, not in the way you mean.
00:42:56And what's all this about
00:42:57your ill health,
00:42:59these little calls to sympathy
00:43:01for you as a sick person.
00:43:03Let's have it out in the open,
00:43:04shall we?
00:43:04Just how sick are you?
00:43:05My health has got nothing
00:43:06to do with this.
00:43:07I think it well might have.
00:43:08What exactly is wrong with you?
00:43:09You want to know?
00:43:11They say I'm going to die.
00:43:14They say I have leukemia.
00:43:15I'm very sorry, Miss Brewer.
00:43:19I had no idea.
00:43:20Everybody's so apologetic.
00:43:22So bloody chivalrous,
00:43:23talking round and round it.
00:43:25Well, it's not true.
00:43:26I won't believe it.
00:43:27They're all lying in their teeth.
00:43:28The whole thing was my fault.
00:43:30Now, Miss Brewer,
00:43:30you're not bound...
00:43:30I want to say it.
00:43:32I want to clear all this muck,
00:43:33all the lies out of the way.
00:43:34For your own sake,
00:43:35it might be better
00:43:35if you were silent.
00:43:36No, I'll say it.
00:43:37He didn't love me.
00:43:39Not really.
00:43:39Not enough.
00:43:41He felt sorry for me.
00:43:42I made him sorry for me.
00:43:44I wanted him,
00:43:45wanted him so much
00:43:46I played on his sympathies.
00:43:47Even when he ended,
00:43:48I couldn't just give him up.
00:43:50He loves his wife.
00:43:52God knows why.
00:43:52I was so jealous of that.
00:43:54I tried to break it up.
00:43:55I wrote that letter.
00:43:57This is the truth.
00:43:58This awful thing I've done.
00:44:00I won't be pitied anymore.
00:44:02I did everything to get him
00:44:04and I'm guilty of ever shame.
00:44:06Oh!
00:44:26The case of the Queen
00:44:32versus Brewer and Brewer
00:44:33will be resumed tomorrow
00:44:35in the Crown Court.
00:44:45Yesterday's hearing
00:44:46in the case of Regina
00:44:47versus Brewer and Brewer
00:44:49ended in some confusion
00:44:50when one of the accused,
00:44:52Janet Brewer,
00:44:53broke down in court.
00:44:55Janet,
00:44:55the former mistress
00:44:56of a married clergyman,
00:44:57called in court
00:44:58the Reverend A
00:44:59to protect his identity,
00:45:01stands accused
00:45:01with her brother Matthew
00:45:02of demanding money
00:45:04with menaces from him.
00:45:06She revealed
00:45:06that doctors believe
00:45:07she may be very ill indeed
00:45:09and likely to die.
00:45:11She admitted
00:45:11that she had used this fact
00:45:13as she said
00:45:13to blackmail the Reverend A
00:45:15into having an affair with her.
00:45:17She revealed her jealousy
00:45:18of the vicar's wife
00:45:19and by implication
00:45:21had upset
00:45:22her council's attempted defence
00:45:23by now claiming
00:45:24that she wrote
00:45:25the letters in the case
00:45:26not primarily for money
00:45:28but in an attempt
00:45:29to break up his marriage.
00:45:30my lord,
00:45:50in the circumstances
00:45:51and in the light
00:45:52of the new facts
00:45:52we have heard,
00:45:54in my submission
00:45:54this is a case
00:45:55which ought not to proceed
00:45:56and the accused
00:45:57Matthew and Janet Brewer
00:45:59ought to be discharged.
00:46:02Mr. Dealey,
00:46:04members of the jury,
00:46:05I have given very much thought
00:46:07to this matter
00:46:07since I adjourned yesterday.
00:46:10I have,
00:46:11as I am sure we all have,
00:46:12great sympathy
00:46:13for Miss Brewer,
00:46:15admiration for her courage.
00:46:17However,
00:46:18two letters
00:46:18were written
00:46:19and there are other facts
00:46:21also which are open
00:46:22to certain alternative interpretations.
00:46:26Now,
00:46:26while Miss Brewer's testimony yesterday
00:46:28sheds new light indeed
00:46:29upon these matters,
00:46:31there is a case to answer,
00:46:33a case upon which
00:46:34the jury must decide
00:46:35and these proceedings
00:46:37will therefore continue.
00:46:39My lord,
00:46:40in that event,
00:46:42may I ask
00:46:43that Miss Brewer
00:46:43be excused
00:46:44from giving further evidence
00:46:45for the time being
00:46:46and that the case
00:46:47be adjourned.
00:46:50And the Crown
00:46:50must cross-examining,
00:46:51Mr. Lotteby?
00:46:52It's highly irregular,
00:46:53my lord.
00:46:54Miss Brewer's doctor
00:46:55is in court,
00:46:56my lord,
00:46:56and I should like you
00:46:57to hear his evidence.
00:46:58Perhaps then
00:46:58my learned friend
00:46:59and your lordship
00:47:00would take a different view
00:47:02of my application.
00:47:03If Miss Brewer
00:47:04is excused today,
00:47:05it will give her
00:47:06an opportunity to rest.
00:47:08Mr. Lotteby?
00:47:09I've already stated
00:47:10my objection,
00:47:10my lord.
00:47:11Well,
00:47:11I would like to hear
00:47:12what the doctor
00:47:13has to say.
00:47:14We can then decide
00:47:16whether or not
00:47:17these proceedings
00:47:18should be put back
00:47:19until the accused
00:47:20is in stronger health.
00:47:21My lord.
00:47:23Doctor,
00:47:23Dr. Selwyn,
00:47:25during these five months
00:47:25in which you have
00:47:26treated Miss Brewer,
00:47:28what opinion have you
00:47:29formed as to her health?
00:47:30She's sick,
00:47:31damn sick,
00:47:32and in my opinion
00:47:33to expose her
00:47:34to these harassments
00:47:35is not justice
00:47:36but an unnecessary...
00:47:37Doctor,
00:47:37you will help Miss Brewer
00:47:38better if you just
00:47:39confine yourself
00:47:39to answering my questions.
00:47:41I did answer your question.
00:47:42Now,
00:47:43what form does
00:47:43her illness take?
00:47:45I don't think
00:47:46an open court of law
00:47:46is a fit place
00:47:47to discuss
00:47:48intimate,
00:47:49private matters
00:47:50which are between
00:47:51nobody but my patient
00:47:52and myself
00:47:52and certainly not
00:47:53to be drooled over
00:47:54by newspaper readers.
00:47:55Doctor,
00:47:56you are here
00:47:56with the full consent
00:47:57of Miss Brewer.
00:47:57I am.
00:47:58And she has agreed
00:47:58that you can say
00:47:59what you think fit
00:48:00on her behalf.
00:48:00She hasn't much choice,
00:48:02has she?
00:48:03If she's sent to prison,
00:48:04she'll die there.
00:48:07Well,
00:48:08I don't think
00:48:08I need press you
00:48:09any further.
00:48:10What you have said
00:48:10speaks for itself.
00:48:11Good,
00:48:12I'm glad to hear it.
00:48:12In your opinion,
00:48:14doctor,
00:48:14would any purpose
00:48:14be served
00:48:15by postponing this trial?
00:48:16Is your patient
00:48:17likely to go stronger?
00:48:18Put it off for long enough,
00:48:19it would all become
00:48:20academic.
00:48:21Otherwise,
00:48:21no.
00:48:22No point in putting it off.
00:48:23Best get it over with,
00:48:24but let her rest
00:48:25for the time being.
00:48:27I have no questions.
00:48:28Well,
00:48:29I would like to know
00:48:30the nature of Miss Brewer's
00:48:31illness.
00:48:33I've clearly told you
00:48:34what's wrong with her.
00:48:35It's enough.
00:48:35It's more than enough.
00:48:37I understand
00:48:38your indignation
00:48:39on behalf of your
00:48:40client, doctor.
00:48:42However,
00:48:43she stands here
00:48:43on trial
00:48:44for a very serious
00:48:45offence.
00:48:46I have been asked
00:48:47to adjourn
00:48:47these proceedings
00:48:48on the grounds
00:48:48of Miss Brewer's
00:48:49ill health.
00:48:50And I would like
00:48:51to know
00:48:51what her illness is.
00:48:53If it's a word
00:48:54you want,
00:48:55Miss Brewer told you.
00:48:56I believe she gave you
00:48:57that word herself.
00:48:58I want you to tell
00:48:59the court.
00:49:02Leukaemia.
00:49:03Cancer of the blood.
00:49:05Thank you, doctor.
00:49:06You may stand down.
00:49:11Now,
00:49:11I will not adjourn
00:49:12this case,
00:49:13but Miss Brewer
00:49:15need not continue
00:49:15with her evidence
00:49:16for the time being.
00:49:19So you lent her
00:49:20this money,
00:49:20Mr Brewer?
00:49:21Yes, sir.
00:49:21I lent my daughter
00:49:23a total of £400.
00:49:25I had to take out
00:49:25a second mortgage.
00:49:27So, so far as you know,
00:49:28all this money
00:49:28was spent in connection
00:49:29with your daughter
00:49:30leaving home
00:49:31and taking a flat.
00:49:32No,
00:49:33not so far as I know.
00:49:35It was.
00:49:36She asked me
00:49:37for £200 for the rent
00:49:38and the rest was debt
00:49:40she'd run up
00:49:40that I settled direct.
00:49:41Even if it meant
00:49:42running yourself
00:49:43into debt to do it?
00:49:44Well, she's a good girl.
00:49:46Well, she was owed
00:49:47a little bit of life.
00:49:48Thank you, Mr Brewer.
00:49:49And I'd like to say
00:49:50that I think this whole...
00:49:51I think you had better
00:49:51say nothing, Mr Brewer.
00:49:53Now, Mr Latterby,
00:49:54before you speak,
00:49:55I would like to address
00:49:56a few words to the jury.
00:49:58Members of the jury,
00:50:00this case has developed
00:50:01an emotional climate
00:50:03in which it is very hard
00:50:05for us to remain impartial.
00:50:06Now, I only want
00:50:07to say this to you.
00:50:09Nothing is served
00:50:10by permitting
00:50:11our sympathies,
00:50:12strong and natural
00:50:13though these may be,
00:50:14to come between
00:50:15our judgment
00:50:16and the facts
00:50:18of this case.
00:50:20Mr Latterby.
00:50:21Mr Brewer,
00:50:22when you lent this money
00:50:24to your daughter,
00:50:24did you know
00:50:24what it was for?
00:50:25Of course.
00:50:26I told you.
00:50:28I find it hard
00:50:28to believe you knew
00:50:29your daughter intended
00:50:30to set up house
00:50:31with her vicar.
00:50:32Oh, that.
00:50:33Well, no, no,
00:50:34I didn't know that.
00:50:35I meant I knew
00:50:36it was for a flat.
00:50:37But not why
00:50:37she was taking the flat.
00:50:38No.
00:50:40Did you lend the money
00:50:41in one lump sum?
00:50:42I said not.
00:50:42It was 200 pounds
00:50:43for the rent
00:50:44and the rest
00:50:45to pay her debts.
00:50:46Knowing your daughter
00:50:46to be in financial trouble,
00:50:48you acted to help her
00:50:48out of it.
00:50:49Well, yes.
00:50:50Wouldn't you?
00:50:51You would have helped
00:50:52your daughter
00:50:52in any circumstances,
00:50:53would you?
00:50:54Yes.
00:50:54In fact,
00:50:55you've had to help her
00:50:56out of financial difficulties
00:50:57before, haven't you?
00:50:58When she was a student
00:50:59from time to time.
00:51:00Often?
00:51:01No.
00:51:02Not that often.
00:51:03Even when she was earning,
00:51:04you've had to give her
00:51:05sums of money.
00:51:07Once or twice.
00:51:08Are you an indulgent father?
00:51:10No.
00:51:11Not particularly.
00:51:13I've never spoiled her,
00:51:14if that's what you mean.
00:51:15Then is she an extravagant daughter?
00:51:16Well, no.
00:51:17Well, which is it?
00:51:18You've had to subsidise
00:51:19a person earning good money.
00:51:21Now, are you indulgent
00:51:22or is she extravagant?
00:51:23It's neither.
00:51:25It's not just black and white.
00:51:27Perhaps it's a bit of both, though.
00:51:28Have it your own way.
00:51:29Mr. Brewer, thank you.
00:51:30You can always twist things around.
00:51:32I have no further questions,
00:51:33my lord.
00:51:33That's all, Mr. Brewer.
00:51:34All?
00:51:36You mean I've got no chance
00:51:37to say...
00:51:37You may stand down, Mr. Brewer.
00:51:46You may stand down, Mr. Brewer.
00:51:47Go for it.
00:51:48He's down there.
00:51:49Alleluia.
00:51:51Okay.
00:51:54Alleluia.
00:51:56Alleluia.
00:52:02Alleluia.
00:52:03Alleluia.
00:52:04What was the first you knew of their affair?
00:52:19When my sister phoned me in tears and asked me to come to a flat.
00:52:22Had you been there before?
00:52:23No, I'd not been asked.
00:52:25That evening, I found out why.
00:52:27Janet was in a very low state, crying and worried, depressed.
00:52:31Then the whole story came spilling out.
00:52:34The story of their affair?
00:52:35Yes.
00:52:36Not that she was also so very ill.
00:52:38I didn't find that out till weeks later.
00:52:40What was your reaction to finding out about their relationship?
00:52:44An unchristian one.
00:52:46Disgust that two people could be so deceitful.
00:52:49But I'm sorry for it now.
00:52:50You're sorry for what?
00:52:51Sorry I reacted so strongly.
00:52:54You know, when people are in the wrong,
00:52:56they try to make themselves look better.
00:52:59Janet gave me a wrong impression that evening.
00:53:02I thought the re...
00:53:03I thought Mr. A had seduced my sister.
00:53:07Now I know that it was at least mutual.
00:53:10Then I was angry enough to want to hurt him.
00:53:13What do you feel now towards the Reverend A?
00:53:16I still believe he'd betrayed his trust.
00:53:19Maybe unfair, but a man in his position has to behave better than others.
00:53:23He behaved stupidly.
00:53:24Even if he was desperately sorry for Janet,
00:53:27there were ways of handling it short of sleeping with her.
00:53:31Anyway, I was angry enough to write that letter.
00:53:33Yes.
00:53:34Now, when did you write this letter?
00:53:38That same evening, there and then.
00:53:40He hadn't replied to Janet.
00:53:42He wouldn't come to the phone.
00:53:44So I sat down with Janet and wrote myself.
00:53:47With Janet.
00:53:48So she saw what you wrote.
00:53:49Yes.
00:53:50Before you wrote it, did you discuss alternative ways of recovering the money?
00:53:54No, I don't think we did.
00:53:56I'm sorry, I don't think the jury caught that.
00:53:58I said no, no, I don't think we did.
00:54:00I'm under oath and the truth is I don't think it's...
00:54:02Mr. Brewer, you needn't elaborate.
00:54:04No, I think I must tell the truth.
00:54:06It's so easy to stretch the truth.
00:54:08Then what's it all for?
00:54:11I have no recollection, truthfully,
00:54:12of having had any discussion about the possibility of suing the Reverend A.
00:54:17You have no recollection, but it may have happened.
00:54:19I really don't think it did.
00:54:21Your sister might be mistaken in her recollection that she discussed it with you,
00:54:24but she might nevertheless have contemplated it herself.
00:54:27Well, I don't know.
00:54:28And had the thought never crossed your own mind?
00:54:31What thought?
00:54:31Well, of suing Reverend A.
00:54:33My lord, my friend is leading his witness.
00:54:37Yes, Mr. Dealey.
00:54:38I can see your dilemma.
00:54:39Your witness has changed course on you.
00:54:42You must not put words into Mr. Brewer's mouth.
00:54:45Mr. Brewer is more than a witness, my lord.
00:54:47He's one of the accused, and I cannot let him stand there and...
00:54:52Mr. Brewer, when you came to write in your letter the sum that was owed to your sister...
00:54:57Now, it has not been established that the sum was owed in law, Mr. Dealey.
00:55:00We've only had opinions about it.
00:55:02Well, the Reverend A. has admitted that he owed it, surely, my lord?
00:55:05He's been led to say that he felt that it was his responsibility.
00:55:08That is not the same thing.
00:55:09Very well, my lord.
00:55:11Mr. Brewer, when you came to write in your letter the sum which the Reverend A. has subsequently admitted was his responsibility,
00:55:17did you write the amount in full or in figures?
00:55:22Only figures.
00:55:23And what amount did you write?
00:55:24400 pounds.
00:55:25Now, you have a copy of the letter in front of you, I believe.
00:55:30Now, do you think that the figure looks like 4,000 pounds?
00:55:34Well, on this photocopy, it does a bit, but there's a mark before the last nought.
00:55:39How do you account for that?
00:55:41Well, I'm not sure exactly what I wrote, but it's not a slip of the pen.
00:55:47It's been suggested to Mrs. A. that she wrote it in, but I don't think she did any forgery.
00:55:52Perhaps I don't write very clearly, but I thought it was supposed to be decibel.
00:55:55You know, 400 pounds and no new pence.
00:55:57Well, it must have been clear enough, or Janet would have queried it, wouldn't she?
00:56:02So you're saying that you intended the sum to be how much?
00:56:06400 pounds. What was due?
00:56:10Prior to all this, how well did you know the Reverend and Mrs. A?
00:56:13Well, I'm involved.
00:56:15That's to say I was involved in church affairs, so quite well.
00:56:19Well enough to know, for example, that Mrs. A was in the habit of opening her husband's mail.
00:56:25No.
00:56:25So you had no idea that Mrs. A would read this letter?
00:56:29No.
00:56:31Mr. Brewer, I'm going to have to ask you this question, because if I don't, somebody else will.
00:56:38Now, what was in your mind when you wrote the words,
00:56:41you must pay this, or we shall have to take other measures against you, which I'm sure I needn't elaborate?
00:56:48That whatever the legality of it, the money was owed to Janet.
00:56:52Yes, but what other measures?
00:56:55I'm not sure I had anything very clear in mind.
00:56:58It's one of those phrases.
00:57:00I'm sure I don't need to elaborate means I can't elaborate, but I'll think of something.
00:57:06And what did you mean by the words at your meeting?
00:57:08You'd better pay, or we'll drag your name through the Sunday newspapers.
00:57:12I meant that I'd make a big enough stink if he tried to escape his responsibilities to Janet that he'd be all over the newspapers.
00:57:22A threat?
00:57:23What?
00:57:24If he didn't pay, he'd be all over the newspapers.
00:57:26You'd make a stink.
00:57:27Isn't that a threat?
00:57:28Yes, I suppose it was, really.
00:57:30You intended to make him pay up, however unwillingly.
00:57:32But he wasn't unwilling.
00:57:34He's admitted as much.
00:57:35Would you pay anybody anything in the face of threats?
00:57:38It's not the way to treat a man you believe would pay willingly, is it?
00:57:41Perhaps not, but then I would...
00:57:42No more questions, Mr Brewer.
00:57:46I have no further questions, my lord.
00:57:48You will return to the dock, Mr Brewer.
00:57:50It remains only for me to recall Janet Brewer.
00:57:54Usher, chair for Miss Brewer.
00:57:56Miss Brewer, you are still under oath.
00:58:21Yes.
00:58:21I'm sorry to have to subject you to this again.
00:58:24Please don't treat me as if I'm made of glass or something.
00:58:26I'm not.
00:58:27It won't take long anyway,
00:58:28because much of your testimony became irrelevant after your statement, didn't it?
00:58:31I suppose so.
00:58:33You said the whole thing was your fault.
00:58:35Now, what did you mean by that?
00:58:37That I'd used Frank's sympathy for me to pressure him into making love to me.
00:58:42He loves his wife.
00:58:43I was so jealous of that, I tried to break it up.
00:58:46Wrote that letter.
00:58:48What did you mean by that?
00:58:49It was why I wrote the letter.
00:58:50I owed money to my father, but I didn't give a damn about that.
00:58:54I wanted Frank.
00:58:55So I wrote the letter to try and break up his marriage.
00:58:58If that was so, Miss Brewer, there was no need to demand money at all, was there?
00:59:03I thought that if I demanded money, Mrs A would stop Frank from using the bank account,
00:59:07and since he couldn't pay me, he'd come back.
00:59:09No more questions.
00:59:14Miss Brewer, you say he was unwilling to continue your relationship,
00:59:18and he was unwilling to break up his marriage and come and live with you.
00:59:22Yes, he proved it.
00:59:23But I didn't know till I tried.
00:59:25I had to put him to the test.
00:59:26Anyhow, I couldn't have done anything to hurt him when it really came to it.
00:59:32He knew that.
00:59:33Ask him.
00:59:35You see, a person is guilty of blackmail if, with a view to gain for himself,
00:59:41he makes any unwarranted demand with menaces.
00:59:45Now, Miss Brewer, did you make any such demands?
00:59:49I've already said I didn't give a damn about the money.
00:59:53Thank you, Miss Brewer.
00:59:56You will return to the dock, Miss Brewer.
01:00:01The defendants may well have behaved honestly before now.
01:00:04That is not disputed.
01:00:05Nor are their words spoken or written denied.
01:00:08They said what they said.
01:00:10We've heard a great deal of evidence to the effect that they did not mean what they seem to mean.
01:00:15But again, that is not the test nor the point.
01:00:17What their intention was can only be judged by what their effect was upon the Reverend A.
01:00:24Well, we've seen what conscience makes him now believe.
01:00:27But in the beginning, when we can judge the words' real effect by his first reaction to them, what then?
01:00:34Well, then he took those words to be a real threat.
01:00:38He had no doubt then.
01:00:39He charged them both with blackmail.
01:00:41Now, Miss Brewer said that she didn't really give a damn about the money.
01:00:50Now, these are the words of a money-grabbing, wicked blackmailer.
01:00:55She also said that any threat by her to the Reverend A was not even credible,
01:01:02because he knew beyond any doubt that she loved him and would do nothing to hurt him.
01:01:09Now, her brother, Matthew Brewer, well, he admitted anger.
01:01:13He said that at first he was angry enough to want to do harm to the person who had apparently seduced his sister.
01:01:21Well, other than that, his so-called menacing words amounted to nothing.
01:01:26They were empty, meaningless phrases.
01:01:28Even the prosecution's star witness, the Reverend A himself, freely and gladly admitted that he was more than willing to pay that money.
01:01:38He even sent a cheque for that amount to Miss Brewer.
01:01:42Now, it is my contention that the prosecution have no case.
01:01:47And therefore, members of the jury, I trust that you will find the two accused not guilty of the charges against them.
01:01:52You must understand, members of the jury, that we have the situation in which a married man, a minister of the Church of England,
01:02:02found himself in an irregular relationship with a young unmarried girl.
01:02:06But that is not what is at issue.
01:02:09And what you are called upon to decide, members of the jury, having heard all the evidence,
01:02:14is the interpretation which you place upon the main issues of this trial.
01:02:19Now, two letters, one written by each of the accused,
01:02:24and a meeting between the accused Matthew Brewer and the Reverend A,
01:02:30at which words were spoken which are not in question.
01:02:33Now, the words of the letters I think you have before you.
01:02:36And when they met, I will remind you that Mr Brewer said,
01:02:41by God, you'd better pay up or we'll drag your name through the Sunday newspapers.
01:02:47Now, what you must decide is what those words meant.
01:02:50Whether they were such as to make the Reverend A accede unwillingly to the demands for money.
01:02:56Now, to prove its case, the Crown must have satisfied you that the intention of the accused was to threaten the Reverend A.
01:03:05in such a way as to make him act as he would not otherwise willingly have done.
01:03:11Now, you may think that the prosecution has proved its case against either or both of the accused.
01:03:18In which instance, you will find either or both guilty as charged.
01:03:22But alternatively, you may think that neither the letters nor Mr Brewer's words were intended to be threatening,
01:03:29but merely reflected a true state of affairs.
01:03:31And that Miss Brewer intended no threat when she wrote,
01:03:34you'd better pay up or it won't only be your wife who finds out.
01:03:41Now, it is for you to decide.
01:03:44You will now retire and consider your verdict.
01:03:47All stand.
01:03:48All stand.
01:03:48Members of the jury, will your foreman please rise?
01:04:12Just answer this question, yes or no.
01:04:16Have you reached a verdict upon which you are all agreed?
01:04:18Yes.
01:04:20On the charge of demanding money with menaces, do you find the defendant, Janet Brewer, guilty or not guilty?
01:04:26Not guilty.
01:04:27On the charge of demanding money with menaces, do you find the defendant, Matthew Brewer, guilty or not guilty?
01:04:32Not guilty.
01:04:33Very well.
01:04:38You may both leave the dock.
01:04:40You are discharged.
01:04:41All stand.
01:04:42All stand.
01:04:42All stand.
01:04:49All stand.
01:04:51THE END
01:05:21THE CROWN COURT
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