Following the Parade Terry and Benny held a meeting with DCI Johnson to discuss the state of the evidence and Benny related the detail of the latest statement made by Brian. It was too soon to expect any Forensic outcome although a large quantity of fingerprints had been lifted from both inside and outside of the Ford Escort. In the first instance these would be checked against those obtained from Brian Hayes and Stuart Rattigan.
Fingerprints had also been obtained from nine other individuals who had been booked out by the Guardroom around the same time as Rattigan. They would be checked as a second batch against those marks lifted from the car. This had caused much consternation among those involved and feelings were running high within the Regiment, as the word had spread.
During the search by the Scenes of Crime Department a black rubber torch and a pen had also been recovered from the rear floor of the car. These had been preserved for analysis in relation to blood and faecal matter.
When a search of the billet block was carried out clothing had been seized from the bottom of Rattigan’s locker which consisted of shoes, a pair of denim jeans and a pale green T shirt, as described by Brian. These appeared to have been the only garments recently worn.
Despite an extensive search of the route taken by the suspects the previous evening, Brian’s clothing could not be found.
The question was then discussed as to whether there was enough evidence to charge Rattigan at that stage. They were all of the opinion that the involvement of the others needed to be put into perspective particularly in relation to the assault with the torch and pen. It was therefore decided that they would further interview Rattigan to see what he was prepared to say about the ID Parade.
The second interview of Rattigan was conducted by Terry and Benny and it was held, again, in the presence of Desmond Freemantle who explained from the outset that he had again advised his client to make no comment. Terry and Benny were obliged to ask certain questions, particularly around the positive outcome of the ID Parade. Rattigan gave no reply other than ‘No comment’ and he sat quite impassively staring at the table. Later the same day Rattigan was charged with the offences of Abduction and Assault with intent to rob. He was then taken before the Magistrates where he was remanded in custody for seven days and by 4pm he was on his way to Brixton Prison under escort.
During the next week the Scenes of Crime and Fingerprint Bureau began to feed through the results of the fingerprint analysis of the vehicle. Brian Hayes’ marks had been found on surfaces within it. Furthermore, those of Rattigan and two other soldiers Graham Wilmott and Alan Griffiths were found in the rear of the vehicle.
Privates Wilmott and Griffiths were both arrested and interviewed and whilst they admitted that they had been in Rattigan’s vehicle on several occasions they stated that they had not been with Rattigan on the night in question.
Identification Parades were held for both Wilmott and Griffiths. Wilmott was identified by Brian Hayes who later stated that he had been one of the two soldiers in the back of the car who had assaulted him with the torch and pen. Wilmott was charged, appeared before the Magistrates and he then went the same way as Rattigan. One other piece of evidence came to light, which corroborated Brian’s account, and this was the fact that on examining the handle of the rubber torch the forensic scientist had found traces of blood of the same type as that of Brian. Traces of faecal matter were also found on the torch.
The owner of the Fish and chip shop, although unable to identify any individuals, was able to provide a statement to the effect that he was aware, at the time, that the so called “Grot competition” was taking place outside the shop. It had caused some hilarity among other squaddies who were talking about it as he was serving them and they had rushed outside to witness the spectacle.
Several months later both Rattigan and Wilmott appeared before the Crown Court and following a plea bargain between defence and prosecution counsel, that the indecency charge be left on file, Rattigan and Wilmott pleaded guilty to the Abduction of Brian Hayes. They were sentenced to 18 months imprisonment and they were later dishonourably discharged from the Army.
During the early stages of the enquiry Brian Hayes had given the names of three of the civilians who had been with him on the night in question. All were interviewed as potential witnesses to the events of that night, and to a man, they denied having been present. So much for mates.
Chapter 47 – Mayor’s Ball.
It was early December 1979.Benny had been seeing Felicity for about 6 months and their relationship was going well. They were besotted with each other and Benny was beginning to come to terms with the social set in which she moved.
Terry Carter had been to court and he had pleaded guilty to the fraudulent taking of the Ferrari by use of a stolen Banker’s Draft but although he received some credit for his guilty plea his previous convictions nullified the benefit and he was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment. As for Cynon “Taff” Davis, he was still at large. He would probably be arrested. In time.
It was approaching the Christmas party season and the dreaded CID office lunch and although Benny knew that the “Secret Santa” would not be held this year he had no intention of taking Felicity and running the risk of some drunken colleague bleeding in her ear. No he would volunteer to be one of the few who were prepared to cover that particular shift and besides, if anybody argued, he could stand on his Jewish credentials and rightfully claim that he did not really celebrate Christmas.
There was one Christmas function, however, that he would be unable to avoid. That being the Ball held annually by the Mayor of Colchester. Felicity and her sister were active Rotarians and they would swear by the fact that they had made invaluable business contacts by the networking that being a member provided. As the Treasurer, Felicity would automatically receive tickets for the function. Benny didn’t know how it all worked but what he did know was that he would have to wear a Dinner Jacket for the first time in his life.
He was a bit daunted by the prospect and didn’t want to let Felicity down by being improperly attired. He decided that he would go and consult Bill Joliffe who ran a Military tailors in the town. Benny was sure that Bill would see him right.
Bill was a Magistrate who took a great interest in the local Police. Detectives requiring a Search Warrant, particularly out of Court hours, would make Bill Joliffe their immediate port of call. Apart from his support and approachability he would always give them a dram of whiskey after swearing the warrant and send them on their way with ‘Let me know how you get on lads.’ He was a true gentleman.
Felicity had told Benny that there would be one or two of his colleagues present at the function she knew one or two by their Christian names and had tried to describe them to him, but he was none the wiser. She was a bit naïve when it came to the hierarchy of the Police Force and she had no idea of their rank or what their individual roles were within the organisation. Still Benny supposed that even if he did not know them, they would perhaps be introduced by Felicity at some point
He had, by this time, met Felicity’s father on several occasions and although he was a curmudgeonly old sod he had taken a shine to young Benny who soon began to understand that his grumpiness was just his way of keeping his daughters in line.
Come the evening of the Mayor’s Christmas Ball, Benny and Felicity were collected from her apartment by a chauffeured Limousine, which had been paid for by Fred and charged against the business. They were driven to the front steps of Colchester Town Hall where they alighted onto a red carpet. Felicity looked spectacular in her long silk ball gown with white diamante straps and matching clutch bag and not only did Benny look good in “Bill Joliffe’s finest DJ” he felt good. He was soon brought down to earth, however, when he saw two old uniform constables, Wally Stott and Mick Newstead, who were providing an honour guard on the steps dressed in the uniform of the Colchester Borough Constabulary circa 1910.
Wally was the first to spot Felicity and as he was leering at her he noticed B
enny swinging off her arm. He nudged Mick who, never one to mince his words, said in a stage whisper, ‘Blimey Benny you look like a Million Lira mate. Are you wearing that dinner jacket for a bet?’
Benny smiled Bastards! He thought, then before he could think of a suitable reply Felicity chipped in, ‘Are you two providing the after dinner entertainment? What is it? Pirates of Penzance?’
‘Blimey, she’s a sharp one,’ said Mick, ‘You want to hang on to her mate!’
They continued on up the steps and into the Banqueting Hall. Although the lads were only pulling his leg, she had stuck up for him, and he rather liked how that made him feel.
On entering the Reception they saw Fred who was standing by the bar holding a large glass of something. He had with him his other daughter Andrea and her German boyfriend Karl who had finally left his wife to move into an apartment with her. He had not, at first, been accepted by Fred who had suspected for some time that Karl was stringing her along, but, having finally been honest with his wife and filed for Divorce, Karl was starting to grow on him.
Andrea shrieked, mad as ever, when she saw Benny and Felicity, ‘Hello you two! We wondered where you’d got to. Had you chained to the bed did she Benny, having Rampton sex?’ In spite of having received an expensive education Andrea still came out with regular malapropisms. The men shook hands.
‘Don’t you mean rampant sex, Drie?’ said Felicity.
‘I know what I mean darling,’ said Andrea.
‘Come on children, behave,’ said Fred, ‘would you like a drink you two?’
‘A glass of sweet sherry please Dad,’ said Felicity.
‘Scotch and water please Fred,’ said Benny.
Fred ordered at the bar and having furnished Benny and Felicity with their drinks they all walked through to the banqueting hall. To his relief Benny found that he was seated on one end of the table facing Felicity with Andrea on his left faced by Karl. Fred was seated to Karl’s right. This meant that there was nobody to Benny’s right and therefore nobody with whom he would have to make embarrassing small talk.
Benny regarded those around him while he sat eating his starter. Karl was an odd fish, still Andrea seemed totally besotted with him and one had to admit that he was a good looking bastard in a very stereotypical Aryan way. Benny wondered what the odds were of Fred, who had fought his way up mainland Italy during the war, ever having predicted that he might one day have German and Jewish sons in law.
‘You OK darling?’ said Felicity, ‘You were miles away.’
‘Fine, just thinking,’ said Benny.
‘I can see that one or two of your colleagues are here this evening. I’ll introduce you later, if you like.’
Benny couldn’t see anyone that he recognised. Perhaps, from her position she had a better view. There were around 150 people seated to dinner after all, and it was all a bit crowded.
The food was excellent. Soup or Prawn cocktail for the starter. The main course was a traditional dinner of turkey and/or Goose with stuffing, glazed parsnips and roast potatoes. Christmas pudding with Brandy butter. Fred took care of the wine and the liqueurs.
Felicity was on sparkling form. He loved the woman deeply and he tried to be careful about how much alcohol he tucked away. He did not want to let her down. As is customary on these occasions, there were speeches from the top table.
The Mayor welcomed the guests and he spoke briefly about how he had had a pleasant year in office so far. The local MP Sir Anthony Buck replied on behalf of the guests. Also on the top table were Lady Buck, Sir Julian Ridsdale MP and his wife Paddy, General Sir Anthony Farrah-Hockley and Mr “Diddy” David Hamilton of Radio One who had been invited to add a bit of showbiz glamour to the occasion.
At the conclusion of the Toasts and Speeches the guests began to mingle and move about the room as did Felicity with her Ben in tow. The guests were an odd mixture of local dignitary’s, parvenus and chancers who were trying desperately to network and climb even further up the Social ladder. There were also sundry minor politicians and local councillors some of whom, in Benny’s opinion, were totally up their own arse.
One such individual called Simeon Fanshaw, who had in the past tried to woo Felicity, made a bee-line for her as soon as he entered the Hall and, cutting across the conversation that she was having with Benny, rather extravagantly greeted her with ‘Felicity, darling! How are you?’ An air kiss on both cheeks was followed by Fanshaw completely turning his back on Benny. He then attempted to steer Felicity away to another group of “Friends” who were standing nearby. Felicity was having none of it.
‘Simeon. I don’t think that you have met my fiancé, Ben Cohen.’
‘Oh. How do you do? Simeon Fanshaw. Nice to meet you.’
‘Ben Cohen. Good to meet you too.’
Fanshaw regarded Benny, barely able to hide his disdain.
‘Well. This is a surprise Felicity. How long have you two been together?’
‘About six months,’ said Benny.
‘Tell me,’ said Fanshaw, whispering in Benny’s ear so that Felicity could not hear him,
‘How does somebody like you get to meet somebody like Felicity?’ Benny could feel a head-butt coming on. But he was able to control himself. Just.
‘Through business,’ said Benny.
‘Really,’ said Fanshaw with a sneer, ‘And what is your business exactly?’
‘Oh, I’m a farmer,’ announced Benny, loudly. Felicity looked at him askance but she just smiled and said nothing.
‘Really?’ said Fanshaw suddenly becoming interested. ‘Are you an arable farmer or do you have livestock?’
‘I have livestock. Several thousand head in fact. But I love my beasts and I like to think that I’m an ethical farmer.’ Felicity could barely contain herself as she saw that Fanshaw had suddenly become interested because he thought that he was in the presence of money.
‘Yes I visit the Abattoir once a week. My brother helps me with transport,’ said Benny.
‘Really? Several thousand head you say. That’s a big operation,’ said Fanshaw. Who was clearly impressed.
‘Yes. It keeps me busy. But it’s a family business and we all pitch in. One simply has to, don’t you think Simeon?’
‘Quite, quite,’ said Fanshaw. ‘I must say though. I wouldn’t like to have to pay your Vet’s bill with that amount of animals.’
‘It’s not a problem. One can’t afford to be sentimental in farming. I mean they are not pets, after all.’ Benny guffawed loudly ending with a snort for effect.
‘Yes. Quite right old boy,’ said Fanshaw. ‘It still must come to a pretty penny though, mustn’t it?’
‘No not really. If any of our beasts become injured we just drown them,’ said Benny.
Fanshaw recoiled in horror and his jaw dropped.
‘Really?’ Fanshaw paused to gather his thoughts for a moment.
‘And these are cattle are they?’
‘No. The little pink ones,’ said Benny.’ Little beauties they are. Won best of breed last season.’
‘Oh, I’m with you! You mean you have pigs?’ said Fanshaw.
‘No maggots,’ said Benny.
‘Fucking idiot!’ said Fanshaw and he stormed off.
‘Nice chap,’ said Benny. Felicity roared. ‘Serves him right. The pompous arse.’
‘Now there’s somebody you might like to meet. Come with me I’ll introduce you.’ Felicity then took Benny’s hand and almost dragged him across the room to a man who was standing with a group in front of the fire place. She proffered her hand ‘Hello John. How lovely to see you. How are you?’
‘Felicity! Nice to see you too. How are things?’
John was a man of about 50 years of age with short grey hair and a full grey moustache. He looked like a younger version of David Lloyd George.
‘Things are very good, thank you John.’
‘And how is that old bugger Fred? Is he behaving himself?’ said John.
‘Oh yes. He’s semi-retired
now and he spends a lot of his time playing golf. In fact he’s around somewhere.’ Benny was sure that there was something familiar about John. He had seen him before somewhere, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.
‘John, can I introduce you to Ben Cohen, my fiancé. He is also in the Force?’
‘How do you do Ben? Where are you stationed?’ said John.
‘I’m on the CID at Lee-over-sands John.’
‘You’re on Brian Johnson’s team are you? You have had some excellent results lately, haven’t you? ’
‘Oh you know Mr Johnson do you?’ said Benny.
‘Yes. I’ve known Brian for many years. A good man.’
‘Felicity tells me that you are in the job yourself John. Where are you stationed?’
‘Oh at Headquarters, but I will be retiring soon’ said John with a wry smile. ’Can’t hang around for ever.’ ‘Which Department are you with?’ said Benny.
‘Oh I’m in the Staff Office. Anyway, I’m very sorry Ben but you will have to excuse me as I have to be making tracks. I can see my driver over there waving to me. It was nice to meet you. Best of luck with your career.’
John quickly finished the last of his gin and tonic, they shook hands and he followed his uniformed driver out of the hall. Benny remained by the fireplace and cast his eyes around the room. Felicity was chatting to “Diddy” David on the far side of the room and she appeared to be enjoying herself so he didn’t wish to interrupt them. He was then joined by her father Fred.
‘I saw you talking to my old friend John Farthingale a few minutes ago. I was hoping to speak to him myself. Has he gone?’
‘Oh no! Thought Benny. He suddenly started to feel rather nauseous.
‘Do you mean John Farthingale as in Sir John Farthingale?’ said Benny.
‘Yes,’ said Fred, ‘John…the Chief Constable. Have you never met him before then?’
‘No I haven’t Fred and I think that I have just been stitched up by your daughter. I hope Mr Farthingale has got a good sense of humour I didn’t recognise him and I called him by his Christian name throughout our conversation without any acknowledgement of his rank.’
An Oik's Progress Page 21
