The Appeal
Page 21
County Police Interview Report
Extract from police interview with Arnold Ballancore, arrested on 4 July 2018:
Sgt Cooper: So take us back to when you met this gentleman.
A. Ballancore: Sharkey took me to him. Said he was all right, a proper mate. I took his word for it.
Sgt Cooper: Sharkey the heroin dealer . . .?
A. Ballancore: Yeah. But he was so wrong. He robbed every bit of money off me. Over six grand. But he said I had to get him more.
Sgt Cooper: This is some of the money you owed Sharkey for heroin.
A. Ballancore: Yeah.
Sgt Cooper: And you yourself had taken the money from Sean Greenwood’s account?
A. Ballancore: Who?
Sgt Cooper: Your friend Sean Greenwood. Although I doubt he’s a friend now.
Sgt Crowe: The account of Sean Kelly Greenwood and Samantha Greenwood.
A. Ballancore: Oh. Kel. Yeah, Kel Greenwood. He’s not . . . he is, he’s a friend, but you know when a friend does something you hate? So he’s not your friend, but he still is?
Sgt Cooper: Right.
A. Ballancore: No one should treat Sam like that, after all she did.
Sgt Cooper: So Sharkey took you where?
A. Ballancore: I don’t know, man. Out in the sticks. A gnarly old place like in Withnail and I. Sharkey says if I do a job with this Corey and another dude called Gray, they’ll pay off my debt to him and he’d leave me alone.
Sgt Cooper: So you had a choice. Pay off your drug debt or – in your words – ‘do a job’ with these men?
A. Ballancore: Yeah. No. I could do the job or . . . I dunno. I couldn’t pay the money. There was nothing left in my account.
Sgt Crowe: In the Greenwoods’ account. In fact, two accounts. A current account and savings account. You cleaned them out, didn’t you?
Ms Anand: May I have another word with my client?
– Interview suspended –
Ms Anand: My client would like to make another statement.
Sgt Cooper: Go ahead.
Ms Anand: Sean Greenwood, who I know as Kel, gave me his card and PIN number, along with permission to access funds in his name.
Sgt Cooper: Did you tell him you would be taking every penny he and his wife had, to pay your drug debt?
A. Ballancore: No comment.
Sgt Cooper: So, via Sharkey, you meet two men known only to you as Corey and Gray.
A. Ballancore: No comment.
Sgt Cooper: They brief you on a burglary they are planning, during which they intend to steal a painting called World by Irma Stern, while its owner is abroad.
A. Ballancore: No comment.
Sgt Cooper: They need you to help carry it.
A. Ballancore: No comment.
Sgt Cooper: On the afternoon of 30 June this year, they take you to 42 Victoria Gardens, Lockley Bois, where the three of you break into the house, via the rear doors, and search for the painting.
A. Ballancore: No comment.
Sgt Cooper: However, upon entry you all discover that the home owner Mr Robert Green, who you believed to be absent, is still there. You proceed to assault Mr Green, tie him up and beat him.
A. Ballancore: Not me.
Sgt Cooper: What did you do?
A. Ballancore: Not that. No way.
Sgt Cooper: So I take it you’re saying Mr Corey and Mr Gray did the beating up and torture while you stood and watched?
Sgt Crowe: For the benefit of the transcript, Mr Ballancore has pushed his chair away from the table and has his head in his hands.
Sgt Cooper: Take your time, Arnie, but the sooner you tell us what happened, the sooner we can identify who did torture Mr Green, and the sooner you can go home.
Sgt Crowe: Mr Ballancore, where were you when sixty-three-year-old Mr Green was being beaten by two men armed with blunt objects?
A. Ballancore: Looked around. Pointed my eyes elsewhere. You know. Keep it out of sight.
Sgt Crowe: Again, for the benefit of the transcript, Mr Ballancore now has his hands over his ears.
Sgt Cooper: Is that what you did while it was going on? You looked away and covered your ears, so you didn’t have to hear it? I think Mr Ballancore is nodding. Take a tissue. There you go.
Sgt Crowe: Is that a nod, Arnold?
A. Ballancore: Uh-huh. Yeah.
Ms Anand: My client would like a break.
– Interview suspended –
Sgt Cooper: So, Arnie, we’ve spoken about what happened when you arrived at 42 Victoria Gardens on the afternoon of 30 June. Let’s move on. Now at some point Mr Corey and Mr Gray realise the painting is not there. What happens then?
A. Ballancore: No comment.
Sgt Cooper: Do you join them in a violent and messy search of the property, during which you help them steal cash, watches, antique rings, ornaments and an African Healing Doll?
A. Ballancore: No comment.
Sgt Cooper: You spent three years working in Africa, didn’t you? Do you know what a Healing Doll is, Arnold?
A. Ballancore: I didn’t steal anything. I took the doll, but it wasn’t theft. Sam and Kel know a kid who’s really sick. They’re raising money to get help for her. But money won’t cure a thing. Not a thing. That doll was old. It’s powerful. It didn’t belong to him. They protect little girls. I took it for the kid. It belongs with her.
Sgt Crowe: Unfortunately for you, it belongs with Mr Green. He’s the one who bought it.
A. Ballancore: I thought if I gave it to the kid, it would make me better too. Heal me. Instead of all that blood and anger. This sick feeling all the time.
Ms Anand: My client is quite distressed.
Sgt Crowe: Careful! Mr Ballancore has fallen to the floor. You ok?
Ms Anand: Fine. No, I’m ok, thanks. He’s just . . .
A. Ballancore: They said I shouldn’t have spoken to him about the doll. That I still owe them . . . Chucked me out the van. Left me by the road.
Sgt Cooper: Ok, Arnold, let’s have a break there. And get you a doctor.
– Interview suspended –
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Sam!
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 17:31
TO: Claudia D’Souza
Dear Claudia,
Sorry to bother you. I found your email address on the Intranet. I know what a loyal friend you are to Sam, so thought I’d inform you that she was attacked on the ward today. I know – it’s scarcely believable! I can’t imagine who would have done such a thing.
I wasn’t there, but our ward manager saw the whole thing and is preparing a full Incident Report for HR. She described the woman as ‘a mad screaming witch’ and said Sam had no choice but to defend herself. As soon as I heard the commotion, I called the police. Hopefully they’ll take the necessary legal action. But even if they don’t, St Ann’s has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to violence between staff. Plus acts of violence in the workplace result in instant dismissal, which quite frankly is no less than this woman deserves. I’m contributing to the Incident Report and intend to give a comprehensive account of everything. Sam and I are very close – she’s my best friend, on the ward and off. Of course you know her yourself, although I’ve heard you’re much closer to Kel these days. Issy
FROM: Claudia D’Souza
SUBJECT: Re: Sam!
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 17:44
TO: Isabel Beck
Don’t lie. You were there. I saw you. Hiding behind everyone else. That’s how you work. You keep your mouth shut, while slyly making trouble behind people’s backs. If you think you’ve got Sam to yourself now, you’re mistaken. Your ‘best friend’ Sam has been plotting for months to get you off the ward and out of her life. She calls you clingy, a leech and a vampire. It was Sam who begged me to organise that tour around Mount More, in the hope you’ll transfer there. It was her idea. She literally can’t stand you. Your only friend wants you as far out of her life as you can go. But she’s a kind, generous person. She see
s you’re a sad, lonely loser that no one likes, and she doesn’t want to add to that. But I’m not a kind, generous person, and I’m happy to tell you the truth. Does she know you nearly killed someone? You’d be long gone by now, if your colleague hadn’t stepped in and resuscitated them. I bet you’ve never told Sam, because the one thing you have in common with her, the only thing, is your job – and you’re not even any good at that.
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Re: Sam!
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 17:47
TO: Claudia D’Souza
A tour around Mount More? I don’t know what you’re talking about. I haven’t been there since a training placement in 2009. Clearly you are jealous of my friendship with Sam and are trying to break us up with a stream of lies. But we’re stronger than that. Issy
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Hiya!
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 18:02
TO: Samantha Greenwood
Hiya Sam, I rushed down to A&E after my shift, and was relieved to hear you’d been discharged and gone home. I spoke to Kel when he arrived, and he said you were definitely coming to rehearsal tonight. Yippee! What a trouper! Now, I hate to say I told you so, but I’m a good judge of character and I’ve always been wary of Claudia. From the moment I first met her at the half-marathon, to the second I saw the policewoman lead her out of Iso. But why did she attack you? I know she’s always pretended to be friendly and helpful, but she’s neurotic and unstable, so her behaviour can turn in an instant. Perhaps we’ll never know the reason. You must be feeling rotten, but our focus now is the play. I know Martin, Helen and Sarah-Jane will be so impressed you’re still at rehearsal, even when you’ve been the victim of mindless violence. It shows how committed we are to The Fairway Players and All My Sons. It will only go in our favour when they’re casting the next play. We can start planning our trip to Africa now. Just you and me. Kel can do what he likes. This time next year we’ll be finishing our final preparations and working out where to distribute the T-shirts – Claudia’s psychotic attack will be water under the bridge. I can’t wait for the dress rehearsal tonight! Just think, we’ll only perform the play four more times and then never again. It’s so intense, yet so finite. I’m just getting my things together ready to leave the flat. See you in a minute, Love Issy xxxxx
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Hiya!
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 18:08
TO: Samantha Greenwood
Sorry to email you again so soon. It’s just occurred to me. Have I ever mentioned why I’m stuck in Jelly Antics for eighteen months? It’s nothing really. I worked with my ex-friend Lauren in Ortho. She had appalling attention to detail and one day she accidentally added Bupivacaine to a saline IV. The patient went into shock. Luckily, I spotted the problem just in time. Thing is, she was already on watch for a few other slip-ups and this would have meant instant dismissal. I said I’d share the blame with her . . . only when we were interviewed for the Incident Report, she blamed me entirely. Said she wasn’t even there! I was so shocked she’d done that, but she knew I couldn’t go back in and tell them I’d lied the first time. Then a few weeks later she got together with Josh and left anyway. I was high and dry in Jelly Antics with YKW and the dregs of St Ann’s. I thought she was my friend and she betrayed me. That’s why it was so important to me when you arrived, Sam. You changed my life. Suddenly I could see a future stretching in front of me instead of nothingness. You’re the best friend anyone could have, but not only that: you’ve changed how people see me. Usually they ignore me. But when I’m with you, they respect me because they respect you and you respect me. Neither of us needs anyone else. Ever. Lots of love, Issy xxxxx
Message exchange between John O’Dea and Martin Hayward on 4 July 2018:
18:12 John wrote:
Who’s playing Sue Bayliss now? It’s not good to change cast this late.
18:15 Martin wrote:
Sam is playing Sue. I understand she had a minor accident at work today, but was told she’s fit and well enough to be in the play. Is there something I don’t know?
18:18 John wrote:
After ripping you off to the tune of £80k, I’d assumed she was out of the play. It’s up to you.
FROM: Joyce Walford
SUBJECT: The cheek
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 18:23
TO: Martin Hayward
I can’t believe it, Martin. The cheek of it! Stealing money from little Poppy and then getting up onstage and acting with us all as if nothing’s wrong! And bringing that nasty piece of work to disrupt the yoga, too. If that’s the company they keep, I’m not surprised they can rob a cancer appeal of all that money. And people say my boys are trouble! I hope the police will be taking action. Joyce
FROM: Martin Hayward
SUBJECT: Fwd: The cheek
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 18:29
TO: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
It seems rumours are flying about and wires crossed. See Joyce’s email below. Several Fairway Players seem convinced Sam is Lydia Drake. Please can we keep such tittle-tattle under wraps until after the play? Obviously I do want a word with Sam about why she strung us along re Clive Handler, but let’s do it after All My Sons is over. Regards, Martin
FROM: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
SUBJECT: Fwd: The cheek
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 18:34
TO: Martin Hayward
Of course. I can’t think how those rumours came about. I’ll have a quick word with them and put them straight.
Sarah-Jane MacDonald
FROM: Martin Hayward
SUBJECT: Fwd: The cheek
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 18:43
TO: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
Coincidentally enough, Sam was in Africa with Poppy’s doctor’s brother and, from what Tish has said, there was bad blood between them (this brother died recently), so I suspect Sam had her own reasons for contacting Tish under an assumed name. Perhaps we were caught in the middle of something that’s now over. In any case, I am happy with Sam and Kel being in the play, so let’s ensure the dress rehearsal goes smoothly. Regards, Martin
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Arnie?
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 19:27
TO: Kel Greenwood
Hi Kel, sorry to message you when you’re backstage waiting to go on, but I’ve just heard Joyce tell Denise that Arnie was arrested this morning. Is that right? She said he and Sam stole £80k from Poppy’s appeal and Sarah-Jane traced them through their emails. I didn’t say anything, but I know Sam wouldn’t do that, even if Arnie did. Just thought you’d like to know what people are saying. Don’t worry, I’ll put Sarah-Jane right myself. Love Issy xxxx
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Sam?
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 20:11
TO: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
Hi SJ, sorry to bother you. I noticed people were ignoring Sam, then overheard a few things. I assure you Sam would never be involved in anything like the theft of Poppy’s appeal money. We spend lots of time together, in work and out, and if she’d been planning anything like that, I’d know. She is the most honest person I have ever met. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for Arnie, who I believe is in police custody as we speak. Between you and me, I’m relieved. I hate the idea of him staying with Sam when he seems so disturbed. I hope you can have a word with everyone and tell them she’s innocent. Issy xxx
FROM: Sarah-Jane MacDonald
SUBJECT: Re: Sam?
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 20:12
TO: Isabel Beck
You were standing right here only moments ago. Why not just speak to me?
Message from Kevin MacDonald to Sarah-Jane MacDonald on 4 July 2018:
21:01 Kevin wrote:
I feel like death. Typical. Had a cold for Blithe Spirit and now for All My Sons. Only hope you and H don’t catch it. Sam looks like she’s spilled a docker’s pint. Tried to strike up a convo with Kel but he walked away. Then caught them having words behind the tr
ellis. He told her not to ‘dare say anything, or she’d never see him again’. She said she has ‘no choice now’. You know I don’t gossip, but do you think he knocks her around?
Message from Joel Halliday to Celia Halliday on 4 July 2018:
21:32 Joel wrote:
Don’t come to rehearsal. Martin’s called it off and sent us home. I’m locking up now. You won’t believe what happened.
Message from Martin Hayward to Glen Reswick on 4 July 2018:
21:39 Martin wrote:
Come to the house now. Don’t call.
Message from Martin Hayward to Sarah-Jane MacDonald on 4 July 2018:
21:40 Martin wrote:
Thanks for your support. Helen is crushed. She so rarely cries . . . That’s why I called it off. We go into opening night without rehearsing half the play, but Helen is so upset I could see she couldn’t go on. I’ll cc you in on my email to Sam. Thanks again from all of us.
Message from John O’Dea to Martin Hayward on 4 July 2018:
21:40 John wrote:
Is Helen ok? Never seen her in such a state.
Message from Marianne Payne to Martin Hayward on 4 July 2018:
21:45 Marianne wrote:
Poor Helen. Tell her to take no notice of that awful woman. How could anyone accuse Helen of such a thing? She must be mad. Wait till I tell Mick.
Message exchange between James Hayward and Martin Hayward on 4 July 2018:
21:30 James wrote:
I don’t want to worry Mum, but they’re prepping Olivia for surgery. They think the babies are distressed and may have to be delivered now.