- 8 hours ago
Believe Me - Season 1 Episode 1
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00:01This is based on a true story.
00:04Some names have been changed and some characters and scenes have been created for the purpose of dramatisation.
00:09A young white woman with cropped auburn hair is holding up a young child with light brown skin to the
00:14window of the bus they're on.
00:16It glides past the London Eye.
00:20Bouncing him on her knee tenderly, she smiles.
00:24Amy Fionn Edwards.
00:25Now a man's helping her off the bus with their pram.
00:31Say thank you to the nice man.
00:33Say thank you.
00:35Jordan Bolger, Laurie Kiniston with Daniel Mays.
00:40Believe me.
00:41Now they're strolling through a sunny park as she pushes the boy in the pram.
00:46Here up or here down?
00:49Tonight I mean.
00:51Can't decide.
00:53Look I like it up but why it makes me look fierce.
00:56She crouches turning his pram so they're face to face.
00:59What do you think?
01:02Two fierce.
01:03Huh?
01:04She's tugged the hair back from her face.
01:06So this is where you were born?
01:08Nice enough round here but I thought you'd want some fresh air and trees.
01:13And that was us up there, number 17, do you remember?
01:15Hmm?
01:17Now she's pointed out second and third floor windows on a building on a street.
01:21Then stopping a few doors down.
01:23And this is where daddy still lives.
01:27I can never remember what number he is.
01:3023, eh?
01:326th of May 2003.
01:34But he's selling.
01:36He is going to be so excited to see you.
01:40Do we just get together properly?
01:42Me and him?
01:44Hmm?
01:44Have him live with us?
01:46He says he'd like to.
01:49I suppose I do love him but we argue a lot.
01:53Hmm?
01:54What do you think?
01:55Hmm?
01:56Are you still having to tell me what to do with my hair?
01:58Yeah.
01:59So who else is going tonight?
02:01Yeah, Frankie just had a few friends.
02:03Guys and girls or?
02:05No, just guys.
02:06Now inside the flat.
02:08Not feeling jealous of you?
02:10No.
02:11Connor, this is my first fucking night out as a mother.
02:14Do you have to swear?
02:15I'm not going to just jump into bed with anyone.
02:17Probably you'd care.
02:19Who says I wouldn't care?
02:22Yeah, well they wouldn't be interested in me.
02:25Why?
02:25Why wouldn't they be interested in you?
02:28I mean, yes, they're all guys but they're also all gays.
02:32Now she's dressed up and Connor's still holding their son Jack,
02:36having given him a bottle of milk.
02:38There's more milk in the fridge if you need it.
02:40But that was formula.
02:43Started him on that now because I'm not producing enough anymore.
02:47She smiles at Jack.
02:49Went for down.
02:50Bit money, isn't it?
02:51Yeah.
02:54So that one earlier, that was your milk?
02:56Yeah, I expressed it earlier today.
03:00But you put this thing on your tits and it sucks away at me like I'm a cow on a
03:03milking machine.
03:04But it took ages, didn't it?
03:06Because I put him in front dry now.
03:08She kisses Connor on the lips.
03:10Should be too late.
03:12Actually, it's terrifying when I fall asleep at nine o'clock.
03:15Have you got some money for a cab?
03:17I don't want you messing around with the bus.
03:1920 quid in the secret compartment?
03:20Yeah.
03:21You got your key?
03:22She holds them up.
03:24And a black cab, please.
03:26And also, also, also, you look lovely.
03:30Sarah smiles at Connor, who is biracial with light brown skin, then goes.
03:35Yeah, I want a milking machine.
03:36She's left her phone behind on the table.
03:39Now, in a lively club surrounded by her male friends.
03:42Very nice.
03:44The big boy.
03:45Beautiful.
03:46Okay, I'm going again.
03:48Shot time.
03:49Shot, shot, shot.
03:49Okay, yeah.
03:51No, you'll be fine.
03:52Right, cheers.
03:53Thanks for coming.
03:55Sarah grimaces as she necks her shot.
03:58Her brown-haired, pale-skinned friend Frankie smiles bashfully as the others begin singing.
04:14Now, Frankie and Sarah are at the bar.
04:16Hiya, can I have one vodka and coke and...
04:20No, just a coke, please.
04:21Row up.
04:21Two vodka and coke, thank you.
04:22Yeah, but I'm not getting battered on my first night out.
04:24Yes, you are.
04:25Anyway, I've got some magical marching powder for later to keep you awake.
04:29Come on.
04:29You said you were having fun with me tonight.
04:31It's my birthday.
04:32You're having fun with me.
04:33Absolutely fucking not.
04:34You fucking are.
04:35Anyway, right, so.
04:36Dominic.
04:37Hmm?
04:38I'm making myself all vulnerable.
04:40I'm giving him everything.
04:41I'm giving...
04:41I love you.
04:42I'm giving...
04:43I want to have your babies.
04:44Yeah, I want it easy.
04:45He wants to be friends with benefits.
04:46He's an arsehole.
04:48I was devastated, though.
04:49You better work without him.
04:50I know, but you're so fit.
04:52Cheers.
04:53Happy birthday.
04:54Happy birthday.
04:55Happy birthday.
04:56Now she's chatting to friend Finn by the dance floor.
04:59We exchanged rings.
05:00I even took him to meet my mum and dad.
05:02What happened?
05:03I looked through his phone when he was asleep.
05:05I know.
05:06He's been cheating on me with at least five other guys.
05:09He's an arsehole.
05:10Yeah.
05:12My round.
05:13What?
05:14Frankie's missed you so much.
05:15We all out.
05:18Shit.
05:19What?
05:20You have a phone at home.
05:21In the toilets.
05:22And I'll be honest, I broke it off.
05:25He just...
05:25He got too clingy.
05:26Do you think that makes me an arsehole?
05:27No.
05:28He is.
05:30I mean, I don't know what for.
05:32I'm going to go with him being the arsehole.
05:33Thank you, honey.
05:34From a cubicle...
05:36Left a line in there.
05:37Oh.
05:38There you go.
05:40Why did you have some of the ladies' toilets out of interest?
05:42Because your toilets are so much nicer than ours.
05:44Ours stink of piss.
05:48Right.
05:49Now, are you sure we need to...
05:50No, I already said no, thank you.
05:51Come on.
05:52Don't be a party pooper.
05:53Joy.
05:54Joy.
05:54Fuck off, will you?
05:56Okay.
05:56We're not going to let you leave until you do.
05:58No.
05:58I don't like it.
06:00Please, Sarah, it's my birthday.
06:01I'll be very sad.
06:02Don't ruin his birthday, Sarah.
06:03You don't look very sad.
06:05Come on.
06:05Sarah reluctantly takes a dab from Frankie's paper wrap.
06:09Yay.
06:11For God's sake.
06:12There.
06:13Now, let me out, please.
06:14I want to spend all night in the bogs with you two.
06:15That's our girl.
06:16Now, hazel-eyed Sarah in her halterneck green top is dancing enthusiastically under disco lights
06:22with Mike, who she and Frankie had been in the loose with, Finn and Frankie.
06:27Now, she's sitting glumly in a booze, her handbag that's missing her phone on the table before her.
06:32Frankie, now minus his pink feather boa, approaches.
06:35There you are.
06:37Hi.
06:37No, I don't want another drink.
06:39I definitely don't want more coke and I'm all out of advice.
06:42They're all arseholes looking.
06:45I was actually just going to ask you whether you wanted me to get you a cab.
06:49Yes, she's going to get you a cab.
06:51Come on, mama.
06:52Let's go.
06:53Okay, okay.
06:54Now, Frankie and Mike are talking to a black cab driver outside the club.
06:59All right.
07:00All right.
07:00Is that all right?
07:01Do you have a drink, have you?
07:01Sarah!
07:03He's going to take you.
07:04All right.
07:04Thank you, mate.
07:05She hugs Finn.
07:07I'm safe.
07:08Yeah, yeah, yeah.
07:08Bye, bye, bye, bye, bye.
07:09Frankie kisses her getting the passenger door.
07:12Thanks, mate.
07:13Love you.
07:14See you later.
07:15Chat in a bit, babe.
07:17Her friends all wave to her in the back of the black cab as it heads down the bustling London
07:22street.
07:23Now she's dozing as the cab trundles along, city lights casting orbs of colour across the window.
07:30The driver talks to her.
07:32You're very popular.
07:33She wearily opens her eyes.
07:36Goodnight.
07:37Certainly look like it.
07:39All them blokes are like bees round annipop.
07:41What?
07:43It was a friend's birthday party.
07:45They were all over you.
07:47Actually they were all gay so it wasn't quite pretty.
07:50Really?
07:51Look, they don't know what they're missing.
07:53If you don't mind me saying I think you look absolutely gorgeous tonight.
07:59I reckon you could probably have turned one on to them if you wanted to.
08:03Well, I'm not sure about that.
08:06It's just nice to have a night out.
08:08Why's that then?
08:09Just got out of prison or something?
08:11Yeah, not far off.
08:12I've got a nine month old baby.
08:14I'm a single mum.
08:15This is the first time I've been out since he was born.
08:18Sorry.
08:19Look, before we go any further, what number Walgate Road was it?
08:22Oh, just...
08:23Just take me to number 17.
08:25They'll be fine.
08:2617?
08:27Right.
08:28She watches him appear to write that down in a notebook.
08:31And you live on your own, do you?
08:33Yeah.
08:36Right, yo.
08:37She's giving him a nod, looking vaguely disinterested, then attempts to doze off again.
08:43So what's that like then?
08:46You know, spending the night with a load of gay guys?
08:49Oh, very lovely.
08:50Oh, very lovely.
08:51But you do end up just being an agony aunt.
08:53Oh, I bet.
08:56Would it be nice if someone at some point asked how I was doing?
09:01Okay, well I'll ask.
09:03The driver glances through the rear-view mirror at her.
09:06How are you doing?
09:09Oh.
09:10You know, getting on I suppose.
09:14But it's hard being on your own.
09:16Why are you a single mum then?
09:19It's my choice as much as his.
09:21I want us to be together because we want to be together, not because we have to be.
09:26Yeah, I'll get that.
09:28Beads of rain have formed on the windows as the wipers sweep rhythmically across the windscreen.
09:33Well, I've had a great night tonight.
09:36I had a big win at the casino earlier, would you believe?
09:40Alright, good for you.
09:41Here.
09:42Look at this lot.
09:4440 grand.
09:46Can you believe it?
09:47I know.
09:47Yeah, I've been wanting to celebrate but I've got to finish my shift first, don't I?
09:52Can't drink and drive.
09:54I'll lose my licence and be back to square one.
09:57I was wondering if you'd have a drink for me.
10:00Oh, no.
10:00Celebrate for me like.
10:02No.
10:03I've got some champagne here.
10:05No, I've already had too much to drink tonight.
10:07Raise a glass for me.
10:08I've been stuck here behind this wheel desperate to hear someone say cheers.
10:12No thanks.
10:12Come on.
10:14Do me a favour and have a drink on me.
10:17Why don't they give me a bottle of bubbly at the casino with me winnings?
10:19You know, at least let me see someone enjoying my good luck.
10:22The lights have changed from red to green as he offers her a plastic glass full of liquid.
10:30Hey.
10:31Reluctantly easing her belt, she takes it.
10:35She takes a chased sip of the drink, frowning slightly at the contents, as the cab starts moving again.
10:44So what are you going to do with all that money?
10:46To start with, your journey home is on me tonight, alright?
10:50Oh, thanks.
10:52Oh, I don't know.
10:53Take some time off.
10:54Go on an holiday.
10:56Hope I'll find someone to go with me.
11:00Would you keep being a cabbie?
11:01Probably.
11:02I like meeting people.
11:04I like talking to them.
11:05The cab grinds to a halt.
11:07Oh, sorry.
11:08I spilt the drink.
11:10No, no.
11:10No problem.
11:12You can knock this one back.
11:14There, go on.
11:15He offers another glass back through the dividing screen.
11:19Oh, come on.
11:20You've got to drink it now.
11:21You're going to give me bad luck.
11:24But go on, knock it back.
11:27Looking uncomfortable, she accepts it.
11:30You got it?
11:31She drains the glass and holds it up.
11:35Cheers.
11:36Cheers.
11:39Looking increasingly more like she just wants to be back at the flat and the journey over,
11:44Sarah gives a fatigued sigh with her elbow propped up on the windowpane.
11:49Resting her head against her hand, she once more closes her eyes.
11:55You okay?
11:56Want anything else?
11:58Um, no, nothing, thanks.
12:02Her head gently shakes with the movement of the cab.
12:08Have a drink.
12:09No, thanks.
12:11You smoke?
12:14Trying to give her...
12:17Her eyes are still closed.
12:21Now the cab's headlights pierce the gloom as it drives into what looks like the rear service area of a
12:27building complex.
12:28It has several external air conditioning condenser units and large waste bins.
12:34Sarah rouses woozily as overhead industrial-style lights from a covered walkway blur past her window.
12:40A multi-storey building looms beyond.
12:44What's going on?
12:46I thought we'd stop for a little ciggy break.
12:51Yeah.
12:53The cab now stopped, Sarah groggily leans forward.
12:58Come on.
13:00She reaches for the cigarette poking out of its packet.
13:04Take it.
13:06Thanks.
13:07Where are we?
13:09Barely able to keep her eyes open, Sarah sinks back onto the seat as her head drops to her chest.
13:15The pale-skinned, dark-haired driver gets out and peers through the passenger window.
13:24She lifts her head and opens her eyes as he gets in.
13:28I'll have one with you.
13:31He sits beside her as she struggles to sit up, then unsteadily leans forward, allowing him to light her cigarette.
13:41Inhaling it weakly, she slumps back as he lights his own, rolling her head across the headrest.
13:49Lovely man.
13:52All part of service.
13:54She looks up at him as his face blurs into focus, his hazel eyes hooded by thick brows boring into
14:01her.
14:01Her world flickers as she sinks into sleep.
14:05End of part one.
14:11Sarah rouses on a white-sheeted bed in a hospital ward.
14:15Her brow creased.
14:16She looks pained as she takes in the sun, seeping through the blinds of a window nearby, a pink balloon
14:23hovering at the top of the frame.
14:25Briefly dashing her hand across her brow and eye, she looks round as staff busy themselves about her.
14:34As she sits up with effort in the same clothes she'd been wearing in the cab, she tugs an IV
14:40cannula from her arm and gets out of the bed looking troubled.
14:44She has bruises over her left shoulder and upper arm.
14:52Making her way unsteadily into the hospital's stark corridor, she has no shoes.
14:57Her socks and boot-cut jeans brushing the dark red floor, which is illuminated by overhead lighting.
15:06Having located a toilet, she goes in and starts unbuttoning her jeans.
15:11She's wearing black tights beneath them, and as she pulls them down, she finds them ripped.
15:17Looking confused, she sits down on the bowl.
15:24She winces slightly, gripping her bare thighs with her fingers, the harsh light accentuating the redness of her bruising.
15:33She goes to wipe herself with some tissue, then draws back her fingers, seeing thick, moist liquid on them.
15:41She leans forward, looking pained, as she lets out a gasp.
15:49She looks down, then her eyes slowly widen with a horrified realisation.
16:02Now she's wandering back into the ward, looking tearful and distressed.
16:06As she paces anxiously, a nurse approaches her.
16:11Oh, are you okay?
16:12Please can you help me? I've left my phone at home and I need to call my boyfriend.
16:15It's right here, just calm down for me.
16:17You seemed a bit drunk when you came in last night, so will you just take a seat and help
16:19me with you in a second?
16:20No, I was drunk, I wasn't drunk.
16:21The nurse tends to the patient opposite, leaving Sarah looking bewildered.
16:26Now Connor meets her on a bench outside with Jack in the prowl.
16:30Hey, what's going on? Where have you been?
16:33He hugs her.
16:35God, don't touch him. I'm dating him. It's disgusting.
16:37Sit down, sit down. What's going on? What happened?
16:41I think I was raped last night.
16:44Rape? What do you mean, think? By who?
16:46I was drugged and raped.
16:49By who?
16:49By the cab driver. He must have put something in my drink.
16:53Oh my God, he's got my handbag. I haven't got my purse or my glasses.
16:56He raped you.
16:57Yeah, but I can't remember any of it because he must have drugged me.
17:01Now in a room inside.
17:03He said he'd won some money at a casino. And he wanted to celebrate. And then he gave me this
17:09drink. He said it was champagne, but I remember it tasted funny. I spilt the one glass. And then he
17:18gave me another. And in the end I just drank it to shut him up.
17:24Toxicology tests will establish if there was anything in the drink. Can you describe him, please?
17:31She recalls a blurry image of the driver smoking.
17:35He was 40 to 50 years old. A medium build. His hair was neat at the back. He looked like
17:46he'd just been cut.
17:47A suited woman makes a note.
17:50Can you tell us what he did to you?
17:54Well, no, I can't because I don't remember any of it.
17:58But I'm certain he drugged me.
18:02And this morning, my vagina felt sore.
18:09And there was what felt like lubricant around it.
18:14And my tights all torn around my crotch area.
18:18Is there a chance you might have had sex with someone earlier in the night and maybe forgotten about it?
18:22No, definitely not.
18:25A suited man.
18:27Now, I can tell you, Sarah, you were brought to a police station last night by a young man who
18:31lives at 17 Walgate Road.
18:34The driver and a young man.
18:36You said number 79.
18:39Well, that's where I used to live.
18:41Yeah, but why did you go to 17, though?
18:43Because...
18:44Well, I could never remember what number you were, so I must have said 17 and then I knew you
18:47were a couple of doors down.
18:49So before I was brought to the hospital, he took me to the police station.
18:53Him and the taxi driver.
18:54The taxi driver?
18:56That's the guy that raped her.
18:58Is he to have his name?
18:59We should do.
19:00Yeah?
19:01We're going to need a urine sample and a mouth swab.
19:04Okay?
19:06Did you bring her a change of clothes?
19:08Yeah.
19:08PC Belitha will be taking you to a specialist rape centre for an examination.
19:13You've not had a bath or shower since last night, have you?
19:16Yeah.
19:17Sitting opposite the man and woman interviewing her, who are both white and brown haired, Sarah shakes her head.
19:28Now she's gripping the side of an examination bed that she's lying on.
19:32She's in a hospital gown with her legs slightly parted, as a grey haired doctor sitting at the base of
19:38the bed is looking closely between them, wearing clinical gloves.
19:45She has more bruises on her inner thigh and just above her eyebrow.
19:49As the bearded doctor, now on his feet, examines them and the ones on her arm, she flinches.
19:56Could you turn over please?
19:58I need to accept your back passage.
20:00What?
20:01Your anus.
20:02In case he penetrated you there.
20:05No, I don't know if someone had anal sex with me, I'd feel it.
20:07I'm sorry, I have to.
20:10As tears well up in her eyes, Sarah forlornly obeys, slowly turning on her side so she's facing away from
20:18the doctor.
20:20She tenses her lips and squeezes her eyes shut, her face contorting with quiet agony.
20:27Now with the suited woman, Bolitho, in another room in the hospital.
20:32We'll be arranging what's called an Achieving Best Evidence interview with you, where you come into the station while it's
20:37all fresh in your mind.
20:39Haven't I already done that?
20:40Sorry, but it needs to be done.
20:41And should you wish, we can arrange an appointment for you at the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Clinic.
20:47Oh.
20:48Yeah, I do wish.
20:50Okay.
20:50There are also victim support services that we can connect you with.
20:56Now your bag, glasses and purse are not missing.
20:58I've been told they were taken for forensic examination.
21:01Okay, because I need my glasses to read.
21:03Now, is there anything else you want to tell us?
21:06Anything you want to tell us about now, Sarah, that might be relevant?
21:10If you mean did I have sex with anyone else last night, I've already told you no I didn't.
21:14But I...
21:16I do want to tell you one thing.
21:18I really regret it, but I did have a little bit of cocaine last night.
21:22Okay.
21:22My friends just kept on at me and...
21:25I gave in and just had a little dab just to shut them up.
21:27But it was...
21:28It was only a tiny amount.
21:29You're better off telling us now rather than us not knowing and finding it in your samples.
21:34So embarrassed.
21:36Now, Belitho and Sarah arrive back at the flat.
21:39Hey.
21:41Can I search her?
21:42Yeah. No, I still haven't had a shower.
21:45Mr O'Carroll, would you be able to come back to the station with me now to make a statement?
21:48Why?
21:49We just want to be as thorough as possible.
21:51He can confirm certain timings and details and so on.
21:54Okay.
21:55Yeah.
21:56That makes sense.
21:57Alright.
21:58I won't be long.
22:00Her eye makeup smudged, Sarah offers brown-eyed Connor a weak smile as he follows Belitho out.
22:07Now at the station.
22:09She came to London for college, was in digs in the area and initially we were just neighbours.
22:15And what about family?
22:16Does she have family down here with her?
22:18They're all still living in Newport, so she hardly ever sees them.
22:23How would you describe Sarah's alcohol intake?
22:26I mean, she likes to drink, but in a fun way, I'd say it's normal.
22:31Does she binge drink?
22:33Nah. I mean, like I said, she likes to have a laugh on a night out.
22:36And she actually hadn't been on a night out quite a while before that because of the baby.
22:43So, maybe she got drunk quicker.
22:45And what about drugs?
22:48What kind of drugs?
22:49Marijuana.
22:49Marijuana.
22:50Cocaine.
22:51No, no, no.
22:52I've never, never seen her take any kind of drug.
22:55Not cocaine?
22:58No.
22:59Not that I know of.
23:01Meanwhile, back at the flat, Sarah's emerged from the bathroom in a towel and checks herself in a mirror.
23:07We have to ask this, Connor.
23:10Would you say that Sarah's a sexually promiscuous person?
23:15No, I wouldn't say promiscuous, but what do you mean?
23:20Again, we have to ask, is she the type of person who, for example, might meet up with someone on
23:25a night out and have sex with them?
23:28Sarah's looking at her bruises.
23:30I don't know.
23:32I maybe feel bad about that afterwards.
23:34I don't know.
23:36No.
23:37No, no, no, no.
23:39Not if she's in a relationship.
23:42Now he arrives back to his living room where Sarah's sitting in a dressing gown.
23:47How are you feeling?
23:49If he drove me to the station in a taxi, then they must have his name.
23:53Or his badge number, or his license number.
23:56I mean, yeah, I suppose so.
23:58Yeah, they must do.
24:00They should be going around his house now and arresting him.
24:03He gives her an uncertain smile.
24:07I'm going to get a beer.
24:08Do you want something?
24:09A glass of wine.
24:12Connor, who has a toned physique, no hair on his head and a goatee beard and moustache, fishes a beer
24:18from the kitchen fridge, then a bottle from nearby.
24:23It's a bit odd though, ain't it?
24:26You know, if he raped you, they'd then take you to a police station.
24:34What do you mean if?
24:36No, I don't mean anything like that. It's just a figure of speech.
24:40He hands her a red wine as she stares up at him.
24:45What did the police ask you?
24:47Just general stuff, really, about last night.
24:51Times and stuff.
24:53He watches her as she knocks back her wine.
24:59You see, when you're feeding Jack, does it matter if you've been drinking alcohol?
25:06Well, a little bit doesn't matter.
25:09Connor nods, taking a swig of his beer.
25:13Anyway, I pretty much stopped feeding him now.
25:16Yeah.
25:19Why'd you just ask me that?
25:21I'm just wondering.
25:21Just wait for fuck's sake!
25:24No, no, no, I'm sorry.
25:24I'm all over the fucking place!
25:27He's followed her into the kitchen.
25:29I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Come on. Come on.
25:32He hugs her.
25:33The taxi driver drove to the station.
25:36They must be able to find out who he is.
25:39Work it out.
25:41End of part two.
25:48The urine sample, we test for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
25:52And with the blood sample, we can check for syphilis, hepatitis B or C and HIV.
25:58HIV?
26:00HIV?
26:01Fucking die from that.
26:03If necessary, we can provide you with PEP, which is a medication that can help prevent HIV infection if commenced
26:11soon after exposure.
26:14The nurse will also be providing you with emergency contraception and a morning after pill.
26:21Sarah's sitting opposite the doctor who's talking to her in a consultation room at the hospital.
26:27Now at the flat, she's on the phone.
26:30Hello?
26:31Oh, hello. Is this PC Blitho?
26:34Yes, that's me.
26:35Uh, hi. Yeah, um...
26:36This is Sarah Adams.
26:38Hello, Sarah. How are you feeling this morning?
26:40Yeah, um, I just wanted to ask if you've managed to trace the black cab driver that dropped me at
26:44the police station.
26:45I actually don't have that information, but in any case, I'm actually not handling this investigation.
26:50It's been passed on to my colleague, DC Stevens, and he'll be in touch with you in due course.
26:56Right, but this man's still out there. I just want to know that he's been arrested.
27:01DC Stevens is the man to ask.
27:05Now, Sarah's outside a building a few doors down with Jack in his pram.
27:09The young man the driver was speaking to emerges.
27:13Hello, um, I was looking for a guy who helped me the other night. I was in a bit of
27:17a state.
27:18Hope you don't mind me knocking on your door like this.
27:20No, no, it's fine. Uh, yeah, that was, that was me. Um, you look a bit different now to what
27:24you did then.
27:24Oh God, I can only imagine. Have you got a couple of minutes to talk about it?
27:28Yeah.
27:29Now inside, they're provided hot drinks by a young woman.
27:33There you go.
27:33Thanks, Pete.
27:36She leaves them to it.
27:38It's so funny, I used to live here.
27:40Really?
27:42So you're all students sharing?
27:43Yeah.
27:45And you got the shorter door when you opened the door?
27:48I thought someone was trying to break in.
27:50In a flashback, the young man, Billy, is heading downstairs where the driver's at the door.
27:56What are you doing, man?
27:57Yeah, uh, there's a girl in my taxi who lives here.
28:00She says this is her front door key.
28:03No, look.
28:04Well, she said number 17.
28:07No, she don't live here.
28:08Billy sees Sarah on the floor of the back of the cab by what looks like a puddle of vomit.
28:13Well, yeah, she was like that when I picked her up.
28:16Yeah, roaring drunk.
28:18You need to go to a police station now.
28:21I know.
28:23I could see it was more than just drink.
28:26So I immediately wondered if you were drugged.
28:28I was.
28:29By him, I'm sure of it.
28:32Brown-eyed Billy leans back in his chair.
28:35I'm pretty sure he assaulted me on the way home.
28:39Fuck.
28:40Like I said, something's not right about him.
28:43Listen, the woman's outside there in his taxi.
28:45She's basically unconscious.
28:46Let's have it right.
28:47She's thrown up all over the back of my cab.
28:49I can't pick up any more jobs till I get cleaned up.
28:53A flashback of Sarah being helped by officers into the station as Billy watches, then turns seeing the driver head
29:00off in his cab.
29:03I didn't see them take his name.
29:05They didn't even get my name.
29:06What?
29:07When they got you inside, I hung around for a bit.
29:11She's not drunk, okay?
29:12You can tell by looking at her she's been drugged.
29:15So why aren't you checking out the cab driver?
29:17There's no way a cabbie would pick someone up in that state.
29:19Something's not right.
29:20An ambulance has been called.
29:22We'll take you from here.
29:23They weren't interested in anything I had to say.
29:25Eventually, the ambulance turns up and they asked me to go home.
29:29I think they thought that you were off your head on drink or you were a junkie.
29:34I got a good look at him.
29:36If you showed me a picture, I'd be able to identify him.
29:40Thank you so much for helping me.
29:44Is it okay if I give the police your name?
29:45Of course. Anything I can do to help.
29:48Okay.
29:50Now on the phone as she's crouched by Jack in a park.
29:54Hello, can I help?
29:55Yeah, DC Paul Stevens, please.
29:57This is Sarah Adams. He's investigating my case.
30:00He's not available right now.
30:01Okay, well, I have some information that might be helpful.
30:04So if someone could call me back as soon as possible, please.
30:06Righto, we've got your number. Someone will be in touch.
30:12They won't.
30:13I know they won't.
30:16She's hung up and now talking to Jack on the bandstand of the leafy sun-dappled park.
30:2112th of May, 2003.
30:24It's daytime and Sarah's coming down the main staircase of the flat
30:27to answer the door to a man and woman, both white and smartly dressed, waiting outside.
30:34Have you seen Stevens? This is DC King.
30:36I've been trying to speak to someone for a couple of days.
30:38Yeah, sorry. Things have been extremely busy.
30:40Now in a car.
30:42Did anyone get the text driver's name when he took me to the police station?
30:46There's this guy at number 17, Billy, who helped me on the night it happened.
30:51Billy says that he thinks that you didn't, but I'm hoping that you did, or you have something on CCTV.
30:56I don't know, I'm afraid, but we can certainly look into that.
30:59Well, there must be something.
31:00All right, well, you leave that with us.
31:03If you take a left up at the lights, we can avoid the moment.
31:06Sarah spots the multi-storey building.
31:09Oh, my God. That's it. It was round the back of those flats. The roadie took me down.
31:14Where should you go down there?
31:15All right. We'll make a note and we'll send someone down.
31:20Yeah, there might be DNA there or something. I can tell you exactly where he parked.
31:23Okay, okay. We'll look into it.
31:26Sitting in the back of the car as DC King drives, Sarah shifts restlessly.
31:32Oh, I went to a GP and he made a note of all the bruises I've got all over my
31:35body.
31:36Though he might want to take some photos of them.
31:38Well, they could have been caused at the hospital, of course, as you were unconscious when they were moving you.
31:43But about today, it's called Achieving Best Evidence Interview.
31:46Yeah, they told me what it was.
31:48Right. Well, there'll be other officers doing the interview, but if you like, I can give you a heads up
31:52on what to expect when they question you.
31:53Oh yeah, okay. Thanks.
31:56Now being interviewed on camera.
31:58Had you already had a lot to drink that night?
32:02I had a few drinks, yes, but I wouldn't say that I was drunk when I got in the cab.
32:08You had some cocaine too?
32:13Yes, like I say, I was pressured into it by my friends and I regret it.
32:20She's in a room with Stevens and another man, PC Wright, who's asking the questions.
32:24You drank the champagne that he offered you?
32:29Yes, it tasted sort of funny.
32:34Sort of bitter, but after that it's fragments.
32:39Where did you wake up?
32:42In the hospital.
32:44I went to the toilet and I could see that my tights were torn around the crotch.
32:50I had lubricant around my vagina and on my thighs and my vagina felt sore.
32:58Why do you think you were raped?
33:02Because of how my vagina felt.
33:05Now consulting with King and Stevens in another interview room.
33:09I've never seen a rape victim behave like that before.
33:11She's not crying, there's no emotion.
33:13Was she like that when you picked her up?
33:15Then back to Sarah.
33:18Okay.
33:19They're happy we haven't missed anything.
33:21How do you think it went?
33:24Well, if I'm honest, it was unusual.
33:28What do you mean?
33:29Most women in your situation, they get angry, they get upset.
33:34I was told not to show any emotion.
33:36There's no right or wrong.
33:37It's just what it is.
33:39That's how you reacted.
33:42He said you wanted facts, not tears.
33:44That's what he said to me, his exact words.
33:46I wouldn't worry about it.
33:48It's done now.
33:49I'll organise a lift for you.
33:52No, thank you.
33:53I'll find my own way home.
33:56Now, over dinner at the flat, Connor watches Sarah take a swig of her red wine.
34:01Then she briefly leaves the table to grab her handbag.
34:04How are you feeling now?
34:07Shit.
34:10Presenting a packet of cigarettes, she removes one, readying a lighter.
34:17Probably shouldn't be smoking.
34:19Fuck off!
34:20Sarah's calm down.
34:23She runs her hand over her face, looking flustered.
34:28You know what?
34:30I do want to ask you something.
34:33Tensing her lips, she turns to him.
34:39How come you stayed out so late that night?
34:44I don't know.
34:46It's just how the night went.
34:47You could have texted me.
34:48I was worried about it.
34:49Because I left my phone at home.
34:50What is this, Connor?
34:52I'm just, I'm trying to understand what happened.
34:55She stares at him, open-mouthed, her eyes betraying a look of hurt and disbelief.
35:01Their meal turns sour.
35:03They sit awkwardly at the dinner table.
35:06End of part three.
35:12Sarah's trudging down a street lined with boarded up or graffitied buildings.
35:18Looking slightly shaken by a young woman hailing a black cab nearby, she quickens her pace as she walks past
35:25it, pulling up.
35:26She remembers the hazy image of the driver peering through her passenger window.
35:31Then she spots something, staring up at it.
35:38She's in the rear service area where the driver had taken them, now under a blue sky.
35:44She surveys her surroundings with a frown, taking in the bins, the air conditioning units and the heavy concrete elevated
35:51walkways with metal railings.
35:58She goes to light a cigarette, then recoils slightly at the memory of the driver lighting her cigarette in the
36:05cab.
36:11Lovely man.
36:13She removes the unlit cigarette from her mouth, looking troubled.
36:18Now with Connor at the flat.
36:21Maybe they can show me pictures of all the black cab drivers in London.
36:24Babe, there's thousands of them.
36:25I don't care. I'm sure I'd recognize him.
36:28On my jeans.
36:30When I dropped the drink that he gave me, there'll be some of that on them.
36:32On my top. They were sick on it, so if they test that, they can find out what he drugged
36:36me with.
36:36I think we just need to leave it to the police now.
36:38They're gonna know the best way to go about these.
36:40Yeah, they don't seem to have much urgency about them.
36:42Well, I mean, is there any chance you've got things mixed up in your head because you...
36:48What?
36:51Because of what?
36:52Because you took coke.
36:56How do you know I took coke?
36:57I just put two and two together.
37:00I mean, the police didn't say it in that many words, but I just assumed from how they spoke...
37:04Fucking bastards!
37:05I can't believe they talked to you about that!
37:07It was just a little because Frankie had fucking on and on at me!
37:09Look, I told them I've never seen you do coke.
37:11That was private information!
37:13Well, hang on. Jack's my son too.
37:16Meaning what?
37:17You're breastfeeding, so...
37:19Why would you do coke?
37:20Because I'm a shit mum, obviously.
37:22I'm not saying that.
37:22Look, I told you, I pretty much stopped breastfeeding, but okay.
37:25I shouldn't have had any.
37:26I don't know why I did.
37:27I fucking hate myself.
37:28I'm a shit mum!
37:29No, that's not what I'm saying.
37:31I'm just saying...
37:33Maybe that made you go a little bit weird.
37:37Do you know what made me go weird?
37:40Test and see if I had HIV.
37:42Or fucking syphilis.
37:44Or worrying if I'm fucking pregnant.
37:47Wait, and what are you?
37:50I mean, they gave me something.
37:53She looks at him miserably.
37:56All the tests were negative.
37:59That's good.
38:00Yeah, I could say that.
38:01No, I mean...
38:02I mean, like...
38:03Because there may be...
38:05And I'm only saying maybe, but maybe that means that you weren't assaulted by it.
38:10But I was.
38:11Yeah, but I just keep thinking.
38:12If he did do something, why would he drive you to a police station?
38:15Stop fucking saying if!
38:17Now she's standing outside the flat with Jack and Connor.
38:20Please, Sarah, look.
38:21Just stay a couple more nights until it calms down a bit.
38:24He's not going to calm down in a couple of nights.
38:26Sarah.
38:28It's daytime and she storms off down the street, pushing Jack in his pram as Connor watches helplessly.
38:35Sarah.
38:37Now she's hanging washing up on a line in a garden bathed in sunshine.
38:42She looks utterly deflated and tearful.
38:46Jack's in his pram nearby.
38:53Sorry, love.
38:55Gotta be quiet, haven't I?
38:58She goes over to him.
39:00She's got lots on my mind.
39:02Grown-up stuff.
39:05Sorry I'm such a misery.
39:08I tell you what.
39:10How about this?
39:12Ready?
39:13She does a forward roll over a blanket on the grass.
39:16Ta-da!
39:17How's that?
39:17I'm sorry.
39:19Okay, what about this?
39:21Then she does a cartwheel.
39:23Sarah!
39:25Is that better?
39:26Yes!
39:28More?
39:29Okay.
39:30She's about to launch into another cartwheel.
39:36Who's that?
39:37That doesn't count, by the way.
39:41Leaving brown-eyed Jack in his pram outside, Sarah heads to the door.
39:45She opens it, spying an awkward-looking Frankie waiting there.
39:50He smiles sympathetically, then pulls her in for a hug.
39:56She closes her eyes, looking emotional, as he holds her.
40:00Now in the garden with Jack...
40:02You know, they told me they did have the taxi driver's name.
40:05And then they said he gave them a false name and address,
40:08and they finally told me last week
40:10that nobody took his details at the station that night.
40:14I just can't believe how crap they are.
40:17Well, I'd recognise him.
40:18And Mike would.
40:19We had a big chat with him before you got in,
40:21when we were paying him.
40:23Paying him?
40:24Yeah, I gave him 20 quid.
40:26What?
40:29He told me he was taking me home for free
40:30because he'd won some money that night.
40:32He'd even lied about that.
40:34What?
40:35Surely there must be some CCTV of his cab from the police station.
40:39That's why I keep asking, but they just don't seem interested.
40:43Whereas they've mentioned about 50 times what they've been called keen in my system.
40:48I'm so sorry about that. I'm such a twat.
40:50It's my fault.
40:52Should have said no one's stuck to it.
40:54Hello?
40:55Um, yeah, DC Stevens.
40:57It's Sarah Adams.
40:58Hi.
40:58Yeah, I do need to talk to you quickly.
41:00I'm with my friend Francis Peacock, who was with me the night it happened,
41:02and him and another friend, Mike Rafter, spoke to the taxi driver,
41:06and Francis Frankie says that they would both be able to identify him.
41:09Look, Sarah, you've got to let us do our job.
41:12I know it's frustrating, but we are doing everything we can.
41:15Did you talk to Billy Houghton, the young guy that lives at 17 Wallgate Road,
41:18who also got a good look at him?
41:19I'm sure we will get to all of them in due course, but for the time being-
41:22Will you? Because it just feels like you've lost interest in everything.
41:26I can assure you that's not the case.
41:28It just, it feels like you don't believe me.
41:31I'm really sorry that it feels like that.
41:34Hi, yeah, it's, um, Francis Peacock, the guy she just mentioned.
41:37I'm more than happy to come in and talk with you about the conversation I had with the taxi driver.
41:42What's the fucking point?
41:44Right, um, yeah, I'm gonna have to go, because she's really upset, so.
41:49What's the point?
41:52Sitting with Frankie on a riverbank scattered with autumnal leaves,
41:55she rests her head on his shoulder as he comforts her.
41:593rd of June 2003, at the station.
42:03Ryan and Spencer, what have we got?
42:04No DNA from her swabs and nothing on her clothing.
42:07It's not unusual, it just means he probably wore a condom.
42:10Toxicology?
42:11Trace cocaine, blood alcohol, 260 over 100, which is pretty high.
42:16Is there any other drugs, sedatives, anything we've seen before in cases of date, right?
42:20That all came back negative.
42:21I mean, we did find citalopram, which is actually an antidepressant,
42:24and a little bit of codeine and morphine, but all the levels you'd expect from over-the-counter medications.
42:30Right.
42:32Thanks, mate.
42:343rd of September 2003, Sarah's sitting alone on a bench in the dim light of day, looking thoughtful.
42:41She hears her phone buzzing.
42:42Mmm.
42:45Mmm.
42:46Mmm.
42:46Hello?
42:47Hello, it's DC Paul Stevens.
42:49Yeah, hello.
42:49Sorry for the delay in calling you, it's been very busy.
42:52Right.
42:52So, the first thing to say is that all avenues were explored.
42:57But did you speak to Billy Houghton and Frankie Peacock and my grafter?
43:02Well, I did visit the nightclub you attended, and I established that the area outside is covered by CCTV,
43:08but when I reviewed it from the camera angle, it wasn't possible to identify the cab picking you up.
43:14Right.
43:15What about when he dropped me off the police station?
43:17Uh, the forensic samples taken from you came up negative except for the presence of alcohol and cocaine.
43:24And the medical examination conducted upon you found no evidence to corroborate your assertion that you were sexually assaulted or
43:31raped.
43:32Therefore, in light of all of this, I do have to tell you that our investigation is being closed down.
43:38You know, it feels like you're calling me a liar.
43:41Like, what about the bruises on me? I asked to come in so you could take proper pictures of them.
43:45I believe something may have happened to you that night, but I do not believe that you were right.
43:50Is it possible you had sex with one of the men you were out with?
43:53They were all gay.
43:55You must bear in mind that you were over the drink drive limit, and this will affect your recollection of
43:59events.
44:01You didn't even find out where he was, did you?
44:03I can tell you that the details of your case will be kept on file at Central Office.
44:08If you would like to come and collect your clothing and possessions, I can arrange for somebody to hand them
44:12over to you.
44:12No.
44:13No.
44:14No.
44:16You're going to need to hang on to them because one day you're going to need them as evidence when
44:19you realise you were wrong about me.
44:21She slams her flip phone shut and rests her chin defeatedly on her hand before shaking her head incredulously.
44:31Still perched on the bench in the leafy park where she's been with Jack, she looks close to tears.
44:42Daylight seeps in through a kitchen window above a sink where a tall man is hunched over a black laminate
44:49worktop nearby.
44:51Packets of various pharmaceutical drugs are by a blue plastic bag full of bottles and he's crushing up pills in
44:59an ashtray using a metal spoon.
45:09Now it's night time and scenes of revelers, some a little worse for wear, drift past a blurry car window.
45:17Colorful neon lights illuminate the street.
45:20The driver's in his black cab.
45:23DC Stevens' voice echoes.
45:26If a licensed black cab driver is involved in sexual attacks on women, then this represents a real risk to
45:32the community.
45:34However, the facts of the case do not support this.
45:36The actions of the cab driver, witnessed by police, appear to be those of a responsible, law-abiding individual.
45:44In addition, the woman's loss of consciousness is consistent with the alcohol and cocaine she consumed given her recent abstinence.
45:53The risk is therefore low.
45:55Now a young white woman with long curly copper hair is in the driver's cab.
46:01Goodnight.
46:03She looks up from her phone.
46:05You look like you've enjoyed yourself.
46:07Oh yeah, it was just to catch up with friends.
46:11Male or female?
46:12Female.
46:13I was gonna say if it was a fella.
46:15What a lucky guy he is.
46:17The blue bag full of bottles is by his feet.
46:20I've had a great night tonight myself.
46:32The blue bag full of bottles has already left.
46:39I've had two glasses and the body full of bottles.
46:41The black boxes are not but theils.
46:41For this I can't legallyince.
46:42Or a specific place.
46:55I know you should spend time.
46:55Ok, as they are cheap, a but a simple animals fizere.
47:00You
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