by Woods, Karen
Tina came running down the landing. “Is the story in or what” she screamed.
Sandra waved the newspaper in the air. “Yeah it’s in. Come and get ya arse here and have a read.” Tina squeezed her arse cheeks next to Sandra as they both sat down to read it together. The other women were all behind them and hugged them as they were passing. They all knew the story was about Sandra’s life even though the names had been changed. Tina made sure everyone knew.
“Good luck you two. I hope you get off with it, from what I’ve read that husband of yours deserved everything you did to him” an inmate shouted.
Sandra smiled. She felt strong again. Tina now looked concerned and shook her head. “Sandra all this news is about you,” she knew she was right and tried to comfort her.
“You were helping me love, I’m your best friend surely that counts for something. You did what you did to help me. Don’t worry.” Tina knew what she was saying was true. Sandra’s solicitor had told her the same thing though. Tina was in deep shit and she could be looking at a long time inside. The court case was two weeks away and both of them were preparing themselves for the worst.
*
John had been off drugs for months now. Kevin had nursed him back to health. Locking him inside his room for over a week was the worst time ever for John. He had to go cold turkey and he’d shit himself on more than one occasions. His brother Paul helped him a lot and he’d often gone to sit with him when he was going through it. Their family had been torn apart and in Paul’s eyes his father was the one to blame.
Kevin spent a lot of time at Tracy’s now. He’d brought his tart to the family home a few times but he knew she wasn’t welcomed by his boys. Paul was the one to watch these days. He seemed to be the one in charge and even John his brother listened to him. Paul had been to visit Sandra now and he hated that she was locked up. Kevin had a lot to answer for and in his son’s mind he knew he’d be answering to him one day soon. He hated him with a passion and he promised once his mother was cleared of her crime he would deal with him properly. John had confided in his younger brother that it was his dad’s fault that he’d ended up on gear. He told him he had him selling heroin. Paul’s blood boiled at the thought of his father telling his son to sell drugs. He’d always thought he was a prick but this information confirmed it. Both Sandra’s sons were backing her now and they were both going to court to give evidence that they’d witnessed the violence between their mother and father in the past.
Maxine had done all she could to help her two friends. She’d been back to the police station months before and they told her she was in the clear. They didn’t have fuck all on her and from day one she knew they could never make an arrest.
Zac and Maxine had been out on a few dates now and she really liked him. He liked her too. He was always ringing her now and they were more or less an item. Maxine dressed differently now and any shoplifting she’d done in the past had stopped. Zac gave her everything her heart desired and she wanted for nothing. They were so like chalk and cheese but somehow it worked. Maxine was the happiest she’d been in a long time and the grey cast of sadness over her face had completely disappeared. All she wanted now was her friends to be released. The trial was due to start the following day and she prepared herself for the next three days being sat in court.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The steps of Manchester Crown Courts was packed with people carrying banners. “Carpe Diem Girls” was written over a large white poster that the two women were carrying. Over five hundred women were scattered about the entrance of the courts and Jenny was among them showing her support.
A TV crew was interviewing a few of the women and when they told them why they were there, they knew Sandra and Tina had a fan club. Lots of banners were held up as the TV crew walked between the women. A few of the protesters even showed new tattoos they’d had done in support of the two prisoners. They sang at the top of their voices as people walked into court and it was clear they wanted justice for Sandra and Tina.
“Women’s Aid” a domestic violence group was also present in the crowd of supporters and Kerry, their spokesperson, told the news crew all the statistics about domestic violence. Her words were strong and everyone was quiet as she raised her voice. “We want respect from men, we’re not slaves, they don’t own us. Sandra has suffered enough. We want it recognised that she was the victim not her husband.” The women cheered as she finished. One of the banners stood out from the others and a few people smiled as they read it. “Off with their nobs” it read. It was painted in thick black paint on a white sheet. Jenny was mingling with these women and she wanted them to make as much noise as possible.
The sweat box pulled up outside Manchester Crown Court. The reporters were holding the cameras into the small dark windows at the side of the van, hoping to get a photo of the woman everyone was talking about. The story was massive and everyone in the nation was aware of the trial. Sandra sat in the sweat box and could hear the cheers and rants from the people outside. Tina was banging on her wall next to her. “Can you hear them Sandra. Fuck me it’s mad innit!” Sandra giggled; she was shitting herself and this was what she needed to pick her mood up.
Once they were inside they were escorted to the holding cells. The solicitor was on his way down to see Sandra. He told her he wanted to speak to her one last time before she went inside the courtroom. Tina was quiet now. There were no more rants coming from her cell. She too knew that in the next few days she would face her punishment. Her barrister had told her to expect up to four years. Her arse was twitching and her face betrayed her nerves.
Sandra’s solicitor came to see her after about half an hour of waiting. Once they went into the small interview room he smiled at her sympathetically. “Sandra this is it! When you take the stand you have to do your best to let the people know exactly what you’ve suffered. As I’ve told you in the past, if this goes the other way you could be doing three to six years in prison.” His words sent shivers down her spine and she had to hold her hands together to stop them shaking. Her mouth felt dry and she asked him for a drink of water.
Once she quenched her thirst she held her arms tightly around her body. They looked like they were holding her together. Her words were shaky as she spoke. “I can only do my best that’s all. What will be, will be won’t it?”
Her solicitor smiled. He loved her outlook on life and knew if he’d been the one sitting in her position he would have been crying his eyes out. He left the room once he’s hugged her. “Good luck Sandra. I hope this all goes your way.” She smiled and watched him leave.
The girls were escorted to the dock. Lots of people could be seen in the public gallery and they were waving and blowing kisses at them both. Tina looked serious. “I’m shitting my knickers Sandra. I just need this to be over now!” Sandra nodded. The room looked busy and lots of people were coming in and out of the courtroom.
Four people sat at the first table in front of the judge and two other people were at either side of them. One of them looked like they were taping the court case.
The prosecution was a man. He looked stern. His grey wig didn’t fit his head properly and you could see his raven black hair sticking out from underneath it. The black gown he wore covered his navy suit. All you could see was his highly polished black shoes sticking out from underneath his gown. He looked a posh fucker and Tina nudged Sandra as they sat waiting for the judge to come into the court room.
“Fuck me he looks a right twat, doesn’t he?”
“I was just thinking the same” Sandra whispered. The courtroom door opened and Sandra froze as she saw Kevin for the first time in months. Their eyes locked and they stared at each other. She could feel Tina holding her hand now as she carried on her look of disgust at him. Tracy now entered with her parents. This was the first time she’d seen them too. Her mother had written a few letters in the past, but that was only to tell her how ashamed she was of her.
Sandra’s mother Anita was now seat
ed with Tracy at the side of her, Tracy looked huge. Tina was giggling at the side of her. “Fuck me, who’s ate all the pies or what? She looks like she’s not stopped eating for nine months.” Sandra didn’t reply and cast her look over to Tracy. Her sister looked edgy, she knew it was far from over with Sandra and she looked scared as she dipped her head to the floor. Tina was still going on, at the side of her. “Ay she won’t be wearing them skimpy fucking knickers anymore will she? She’ll need a fucking hammock to cover that fat arse now. Won’t she?”
Sandra chuckled. “I know Tina, she doesn’t look like herself does she?”
“Welcome to the real world Tracy,” Sandra snarled as she shot a look over to her sister. Tina now started waving as Maxine entered the courtroom. The security guard at the side of her had to pull her back to her seat. She shrugged him off but obeyed his command.
“Maxine looks mint. She’s really changed since she got with Zac. Orr I hope things work out for her” Tina whispered.
“Yeah me too” agreed Sandra. As the time passed James and her two sons came into the courtroom. Sandra broke down in tears when she saw them for the first time. They looked like grown men now. John looked ill and she wondered if that was the reason he’d not been to see her. She nodded her head to them both and the love of a mother for her sons could now be seen.
They were all told to stand now as the honourable Judge Cassidy came into the courtroom. Everyone kept their heads low until he was seated. His robes were quite colourful and the purple gown looked crisp and clean. The judge looked old. He was a fossil. He must have been at least in his seventies. Once he was seated he cast his eyes over to the dock to the two prisoners. Kevin was coughing loudly now and Sandra mumbled under her breath. “Choke you bastard.” Once he’d controlled his coughing there was silence in the courtroom. Sandra kept looking at Kevin. Was this the man who’d she once loved? Because now all she felt in her heart was hate. She looked at him as if he was a piece of shit. He must have sensed her look because every now and then he was twisting his head to look at her. Each time he did turn his head she growled at him and he soon turned back around. He knew it was far from over with her.
Sandra knew he’d dropped the charges but she still hated him with a passion, she hated the fact that he must have been thinking she owed him a favour. He could rot in hell for all she cared. He would never get a drop of thanks from her, never in a million years.
Sandra’s dad smiled at his daughter sitting in the dock. She knew he was ruled by her mother and his life wouldn’t have been worth living if he’d gone against his wife. Sandra loved her dad. He was dressed in a white shirt and a black pair of pants. You could tell he didn’t feel comfortable dressed the way he was and she knew her mother was behind his outfit. The usher now sat down and gave a look to the public gallery. She placed a finger up towards her mouth and urged them to be quiet.
Judge Cassidy now told the usher to bring the jury in. As they walked into the courtroom they gazed at the two women. There was a mixture of ages in the jury between eighteen and fifty years old. There were seven men and five women. They all just looked like normal everyday people. One of the jury members was holding a notebook and pen and she could be seen writing something as soon as she sat down. The judge now asked if they were all sworn in and did they know any of the women stood in the dock. Once they’d all told him “No” the judge asked Sandra and Tina to confirm their names and addresses.
Sandra was shaking from head to toe and the judge asked her to speak up as he was struggling to hear her. Sandra cleared her throat and spoke louder. Tina now confirmed who she was. Sandra’s mother was now covering her mouth and whispering to her husband. “She looks ill doesn’t she? She lost way to much weight don’t you think?” Graham agreed and told her to be quiet. He was in no mood for her bitching today and told her point blank that it was a court case not a fucking fashion show.
The defendants were now told to be seated. Tina felt faint and at one point she lost her balance and nearly keeled over. This was it, their fate was here and by looking at the two women’s faces they were scared to death of the outcome.
The prosecution began. As he started to speak he looked over at Kevin and told the judge that the victim had now dropped the charges but the police were still carrying them on. Kevin smiled over at Sandra looking for praise. She gritted her teeth and gave him a look that would have killed. The prosecution now read out the first statement that Kevin had given to the police. His voice was loud as he spoke and his gaze kept flickering from the judge to the jury constantly. After the statement was read out he now turned to the jury and held one hand on his hip as he paced the courtroom floor.
“Sandra Partington is a danger to any man who crosses her. She planned what she was doing and with the help of her friend Tina Dixon they both nearly killed her husband.” Gasping and sighing could be heard in the courtroom. The usher looked at the spectators and gave them the look that meant be quiet. As he read the list of things that Sandra had done to her husband he paused between each sentence. “Mrs Partington placed Immac hair removal cream into her husband’s shampoo and caused him to lose a large amount of his hair.” One women in the jury looked like she was struggling to stop laughing, as was the woman and man sat next to her. He continued. “Mr Partington was oblivious to his wife’s acts and just thought he was losing hair because of the stress he was under. He even thought about seeking medical help about this ailment.” The judge looked at Sandra and Tina and was seen writing. The prosecution continued. “Sandra wasn’t happy with her husband losing his hair, oh no.” His voice was now even louder than before and somewhat aggressive. “She wanted to hurt him badly and continued to put weight gain powder into his milkshakes.” Now there was giggling from the public gallery and the judge looked over to them and warned them that if there was any more noise he would have them removed from the courtroom.
The prosecution continued. “Mr Partington gained a severe amount of weight over the months that passed. Before this he was a regular member at the gym and took pride in the way he looked.” Sandra whispered to Tina. “Yeah we all know why, don’t we. The fucking cheating bastard had to look good for his dirty slags.” Sandra sat forward in her chair and you could tell she was struggling to keep her mouth shut. The prosecution now held Sandra’s diary up to the jury.
“Sandra Partington logged everything she did to her husband inside this journal she kept. The acts she carried out on her husband are endless.” The judge asked if the jury all had copies of the entries in the diary. The usher now confirmed they did. As the prosecution wound up his evidence on Sandra he now started to speak about Tina’s part in Kevin’s downfall. As he told the courtroom about the charges Tina faced there was silence and you could have heard a pin drop.
Tina’s chest could be seen expanding in and out at a rapid pace. She breathed heavily to calm herself down. “I’m fucked aren’t I?” she whispered to Sandra.
Sandra gripped her hand and squeezed it. “Just think positive love. We haven’t spoken yet. This is just all their evidence. It always seems bad at first.” They both sat looking like they were waiting for the death sentence. Sandra couldn’t keep still and she was fidgeting all the time.
Sandra’s barrister now took control. He read out all about Sandra and the life she’d led in the past. He made her sound weak and a pill away from a breakdown. The first witness was called.
Maxine was now sworn in. She repeated the words the court member told her to say and looked directly at the judge as she repeated them. Maxine was dressed to impress. She wore a black pants suit with a light pink shirt underneath. Her hair was tied back in a neat plait. The barrister now asked her some questions.
“Can you tell me how long you have known Sandra Partington?”
Maxine sounded confident and you could tell she was talking in her best voice. “I’ve known Sandra for many years. She is a good friend and a lovely woman.”
The barrister continued. “Can you tell me what y
ou know about her relationship with her husband Kevin?”
Maxine looked directly over at Kevin who was now sat slumped into his chair. He looked embarrassed and hated that his life was being discussed. “Where do I start?” Maxine said in a sarcastic manner. “He’s always been a womaniser. He treated his wife like a piece of dirt and it’s common knowledge that he beat her up regularly. I mean, I’ve seen her with more than one black eye in the past.” Kevin stood up and walked from the courtroom. He could feel everyone’s eyes on him. He felt like a coward. Tracy was trying to pull him back down by his coat but he let her know there was no way he was staying inside the courtroom. Maxine continued. She knew she was doing well and seeing Kevin leaving the courtroom was just what she wanted. Now she could go to town on his name.
“Sandra was always a confident person. As soon as she met Kevin he seemed to suck all the life out of her. She lost all confidence, and wasn’t the same person I knew before. Many a time I’ve seen bruises on her body” she rubbed her arms as she continued. “And she has even told me that he was the one responsible for the marks. He’s led her a dog’s life. He treats her like she’s his own personal slave. He’s possessive and a control freak.”
The barrister seemed pleased at her evidence. He read from his notes and kept her standing for a moment longer. Walking round towards her he tilted his glasses onto the end of his nose. “Is Sandra a violent person?”
