Between the Lines (1992) s01e03 Episode Script

He kept saying, "I love you.
I love you.
" And he grabbed my breast and put his other hand on my leg.
And he was trying to kiss me.
- Did you struggle? - Yes.
I told him to get off me, tried to push him off me.
But he's very strong.
He had his hand on your leg, you say? I did struggle.
I screamed at him to get off me.
I kept telling him to get off me.
Did he touch you intimately? My skirt was pushed up.
Yeah.
How are you? Good.
Yeah.
I did mean to be in touch.
I'm sorry.
I've been up to my ears.
Yeah.
Uh-huh.
Listen.
we're gonna have to cut this short.
How about this lunchtime? One o'clock at the Swan? Yeah.
That'd be good.
It'll be nice to see you.
OK.
I'll see you then.
All right.
Take care.
Bye.
Morning.
- You asked about Pinkney's board.
- Yes.
I'm concerned.
Don't worry.
we all sweat the first time we do a prosecution.
You'll get a result.
Maybe not, guv.
My key witness has cried off.
- who? - Thomas Butler.
Sent a sick note.
"Unavailable to give evidence.
" - That's nice.
- He's a slippery customer, guv.
He got off a disciplinary charge before.
Not this time.
Huxtable's mad keen to see him go down.
well, so am I, but You still have enough to nail him.
Just make sure you do it right.
Yes, sir.
Hello? Yeah.
Hang on.
Sir? Commander Huxtable wants to see you.
He's on the way.
Thank you very much.
Base to Charlie 4, Sergeant Jones return to station.
Stick with this shout.
Charlie 4, will Sergeant Jones return to the station immediately.
See to him.
I don't know what grudge you've got against Viv Jones.
what? we are "us".
You don't stab your own in the back.
He attacked me.
You can't fall apart if a bloke tries his arm.
we've all had much worse and lived with it.
Maybe that's why some men think they've got a right.
- Oi! - You should have stopped them! Back off, you Paki bastard.
You can call me a black bastard but you don't mouth off to a punter.
Yes, skip.
He was hassling me.
Especially when they're hassling you.
- Get back to the station, Jones! - Yes, sir.
I Sergeant Mount is waiting in the car to drive you.
Clear! Clear! what's up? Rumour is Jones tried to have his wicked way with Tatey.
- She's put in a complaint.
- what did he do? I don't know the sordid details.
Maybe something in his pants frightened her.
Grow up, wilks.
A black sergeant? what did we do to deserve this? The man's colour is irrelevant.
Not down Barwood it isn't.
we just take it down the line without fear or favour, John.
The world is watching - especially God.
Showboating, are we? Since the commissioner's been parading his equal opportunities policy, I'd imagine he'd appreciate a sensitive handling of the case.
It should have been sorted out on the QT before it got off the blocks.
It's up and running now, John.
I'd like Clark down there supervising.
He's a bit pushed with Pinkney's board.
It's his first prosecution case.
It's straightforward.
His star witness has gone walkabout.
Tommy Butler.
- I see.
- I guess he's been tampered with.
I want Clark down at Barwood.
Perhaps you could look into Butler.
I'll personally pull his backside off the mattress if I have to.
whatever.
I don't want Pinkney wriggling off the hook again.
we've got a little problem down Barwood I wouldn't say Jones was popular.
He's not that kind of copper.
- But he's been invaluable.
- In what way, sir? He's mended fences with the local blacks and we've needed that.
- why is that, sir? - Good question.
- No dockets.
Her record's clean.
- Anything on Jones? A stand-up copper.
He's got more commendations than Stormin' Norman.
Get in there.
Huxtable wants this spot-on.
- I'm going to be pushed, guv.
- You'll hack it.
You know the Swan? Ring 'em behind the bar, tell them I won't be in.
Any background you can give me to this, sir? Not much.
Tate's a steady girl.
Keeps herself to herself.
Can be uptight.
- Prissy, in some ways.
- Attractive, though? A matter of taste, isn't it? what about Jones? Is he the station wolf or what? I wouldn't say so.
workaholic.
Tries too hard.
Proving something, maybe.
Any chance he was over the side with her? Your guess is as good as mine.
She came to me this morning adamant the colonial lad had jumped her.
And what advice did you give her, sir? I listened, put her options to her She decided to make a case of it.
It seemed to me to be one for the experts.
Isn't that what you call yourselves at CIB these days? - Are you intending to interview? - we'll get to it.
Right.
An allegation of indecent assault has been made against you by an officer.
- I didn't assault her.
- You don't have to worry, then.
Is that what you were wearing last night? - Yes.
- Gonna need those for forensic.
Forensic? Look, this is ridiculous.
I'm just asking you to cooperate.
My guv'nor will listen to all that later.
- That's the one? - Yes.
After you.
This way, is it, Sergeant? This is the second time I've been here this week The person you want to speak to Excuse me.
I don't see why a bloke like him would risk his career for a quick grope.
Maybe she had an itch and he had to scratch it.
You know what it's like for a red-blooded male.
Can't say I do, sir.
- You sound like you don't believe her.
- I don't know.
Do you think she might be out for his blood? I hope not, for her sake.
She's going to get enough stick as it is.
Some local rag's got hold of it.
Saying they've heard a white wPC's been raped by a black police officer.
Raped? we're talking sexual assault here, tops, aren't we? Bloody typical.
Don't worry about the local rags.
I can deal with that.
- Is someone at Barwood leaking? - Hope not.
More likely this reporter's picked up pub talk amongst the troops.
I had a feeling this one was gonna go pear-shaped.
Yes, so I recall.
But don't worry, John.
we can handle it.
And a right pig's arse we can make of it and all.
- Tomorrow I'll see wPC Tate.
- Fine.
Sir, you didn't attempt an informal resolution to this complaint? - No.
I passed it straight to you.
- I see.
I don't know what life's like in the marble halls of CIB, but Barwood nick is like Fort Apache.
The natives are restless.
Particularly our Caribbean cousins.
Right? I think I get the picture.
Twice this week I've got Community Liaison meetings where I'll have shit thrown at me by every Tom, Dick and Ali who fancies a shy at the Old Bill.
I see.
So when a white wPC accuses a black lad of trying to get his leg over, I steer it your direction.
That way, when the wheels come off - which well they may - you'll be in the driving seat.
How long they gonna keep me here? Keep it together, Viv.
It's not as though you've been charged.
- I want to talk to 'em.
- That's the last thing you wanna do.
They could be pulling her story to pieces right now.
Sweat it out.
This is your 163, notifying you formally of the allegations made against you.
- Do you understand? - Yes, sir.
You sign the original.
That's your copy.
I'd like to interview you in the morning, Sergeant.
At CIB, 9:15 sharp.
Is there any chance of me talking to wPC Tate? - No.
You keep away from her.
- Sir.
You're free to go.
You may be approached by journalists.
I'd advise you not to speak to them.
Tomorrow, then.
My Lord.
Have you thought how you're going to handle this at home, Viv? It's all right.
I'll get it.
Yup? Jenny, why are you ringing me in? You want a meeting when? I thought we had a date at lunchtime.
Can't somebody else deal with it? Tonight.
Come round to my place.
Yeah.
All right.
Nine o'clock.
I'll be there.
- Don't tell me - Sorry.
Connell.
I've got to go.
- why you? Can't she deal with it? - Don't give me a hard time, Sue.
- when will you be back? - I don't know.
As soon as I can.
I'm sorry.
I'll see you soon.
Yeah.
- Sergeant Jones? - Yes? - Dr Moore would like your advice.
- Yes.
Last night, as I was driving to a patient - an emergency call-out - I was stopped by two police officers.
They didn't believe I was a doctor.
- That's the fourth time this year.
- Doctor If you want to make a complaint, you have to go to the station.
- It'll get dealt with.
- I should make an official complaint? It's not up to me.
Maybe I'm being paranoid.
Maybe it was a genuine mix-up.
- Could be.
- He wrote down the officer's number.
I thought you could look into it.
If he feels strongly about it, he should go to the station.
I thought it would be better coming from you.
No.
Not through me.
Sorry.
- You said he was sympathetic.
- He's usually very helpful.
A policeman is a policeman, whatever his colour.
They look after their own.
Don't phone me at home.
I wanted to see you.
I wanted to see you because I still care.
But maybe you don't.
Of course I care.
I just don't like being leaned on, Jenny.
I kept ringing because Because I miss you.
I still want you, Tony.
Is it over? - It's not that, it's just - what? Don't keep pushing me away, please.
This is what I was afraid of.
I can't keep my hands off you, can I? what's the score at Barwood? About zero so far.
His word against hers.
A few bits and pieces.
why did our chief super play it like this? He should have been sweet to her, done her legs later.
Those days are gone, Harry.
Nowadays we throw away the parachute and land on our arses.
Speaking of which, you know the Pinkney case? Yeah.
Cocked up the prosecution for that big drugs deal, didn't he? Accidentally on purpose.
- Accidentally on purpose.
- That's it.
- No doubt got bunged some money.
- I bet he did.
we can't prove bribery.
The best we're going to get is neglect of duty.
The problem is someone has put the arm on our key witness, Butler.
You do surprise me.
Huxtable's chuffed to jiggery over that.
I'm getting an ear full.
So Yeah.
I'll have a little chat with Sergeant Butler, shall I? I'd appreciate it.
Firm up his backbone.
# Is there something I should say # To make you come my way? # Do you feel the same cos you don't let it show? # People stare and cross the road # # And jungle drums they all clear the way for me # You're snookered, old son.
Sergeant Butler would like a time-out.
Bar's open.
Right.
Just the colours, then, eh? I heard you was ill, Tommy.
Is this about Pinkney's board? Yeah.
My guv'nor He'd like you to show.
I'm in a corner.
He's got some leverage on me.
- what sort of leverage? - Come on, leave it out.
You help us get Pinkney He can crucify me, Harry.
You don't turn up and give evidence so might we.
Thanks.
- Late night? - Yeah.
- Got in about three.
- Could make it a late morning, then.
No, I can't.
I've got a heavy day today.
- Got you under the whip, have they? - Yeah.
- what? - Are you at it, Tony? what? - Course not.
- You'd better not be.
I'll see you tonight at the sports club.
Ah.
Er, no.
I may have to work late tonight.
That's all right.
I'll go on my own.
Not Jones.
He'd been giving her a seeing-to for months.
Is that right? The police have been harassing me, man! Excuse me.
One at a time.
Two of them jump out the van.
They jump on me Oops.
Let's do this.
Ever since I was posted to Barwood I couldn't get her out of my mind.
She I was obsessed with her and that night something snapped and I made a fool of myself but she took it all wrong.
- You deny indecent assault? - Yes.
- You didn't touch her breast? - No.
- You didn't push up her skirt? - No.
Her skirt might have rode up as she got out of the car.
You said there was a struggle.
I believe he said "argument", sir.
An argument.
About what? Tell me again.
I admit I told her I found her very attractive.
You did not touch her breast or her legs? I may have brushed against her, but not deliberately.
No I didn't.
Tate mentioned a diary yesterday.
And? There were occasions, she says, when Jones made advances.
- Asked her out.
- why didn't she produce it? It contains other personal stuff.
She's gone public, Mo.
This is no time for her to get coy.
- I'll follow it up.
- And check her Hendon file.
- One of them is shooting us a line.
- OK.
Oh, and Mo? If anybody asks, I was out on a call with you last night.
Right.
- You're under a great deal of pressure.
- Yes, sir.
How would you feel if I was to refer you to the CMO? - You could see the force psychiatrist - I'm not mentally ill, sir.
It's not like that.
It's a formality.
He can put you on sick for a while.
- And what about him? - who? Jones.
I get the psychiatrist.
what's he getting? It depends on the outcome of his interview today.
I see.
Take my advice.
Have a few days off.
You're in a very difficult position, Gillian.
we want to help you as much as we can.
- Jones denies it? - Yes, sir.
He's admitted harassing her.
They argued.
He said some choice words, brushed up against her.
Didn't squeeze her hooters, then? No.
Claims he was in love with her.
- One night out on the prairie? - Something like that.
- Married, isn't he? - Yeah.
Two kids.
He wouldn't be the first to go for a bird more tastier than the missus.
- No, sir.
- You think he's lying? I don't know.
He admits making a fool of himself with her - everything, short of assault.
The best way to lie is to go as close to the truth as you can without dropping yourself in it.
Right? PC Tate should have kept quiet.
Hendon is the last place to air your opinions.
I was nearly back-classed for shooting my mouth off.
Anyway, thanks for the info, Terry.
See you.
- Maureen.
- Hiya.
- I was cursing you last night.
- were you? - when you rang Tony.
- Oh, something came up.
I'm sorry.
That's OK.
Is he in the club room? No.
He was working when I left.
He's worried about tomorrow.
- He's fronting his first prosecution.
- He doesn't tell me anything.
Never marry a copper.
He's not married to me.
He's married to the job.
Bye.
See you.
# I didn't mean to hurt you # I'm sorry that I made you cry # I didn't mean to hurt you # I'm just a jealous guy # You free on Friday? I think we should ease off a bit.
- Sue? - Yeah.
Since when did that worry you? Since I started investigating coppers.
Come again? You should see how often matrimonial breakdown is subject to reports.
I imagine your card's already marked.
I just think we should take it easy.
I don't want to get a name for myself.
Tony, you've already got a name.
You may as well have the game.
I swore to myself this wouldn't happen.
All day I couldn't get you out of my head.
what was the feeling when a black sergeant was posted to you? Mixed.
Some were for it.
Some didn't like it.
Thanks.
what about you? "Sergeant Jones made a comment about my perfume.
Ignored it.
" - what did he say? - He said it smelt sexy or something.
No.
He said it was very attractive.
Is that not the point of perfume? To be attractive? I didn't invite his comments.
You don't think it's a bit weird keeping a diary of stuff like this? I'm a police officer.
I took notes.
I felt he was beginning to harass me.
So what did you feel about Jones' posting to Barwood? I thought that he'd been made sergeant as a bit of PR.
The Met recruiting the ethnics.
what's that? - Positive discrimination.
- Yeah.
You don't approve of that? I don't think blacks should have any less chance but they shouldn't have more.
- Are you saying I've made all this up? - No.
But I made inquiries amongst officers you trained with at Hendon.
So? It was suggested that in private you expressed some very strong opinions.
what? You held views on racial issues which were politically My political opinions don't come into this.
I don't take them to work any more than you do.
But your views are right of centre? Does that disqualify me? Do I have to be a Guardian women's Page reader before I can be indecently assaulted? Pinkney.
I've been looking forward to having you here again.
This is persecution, Deakin.
It couldn't happen to a nicer chap.
when this disciplinary fully exonerates me, which it will, my solicitor's going to be in touch.
I'll see you in court.
- Has Butler shown? - No.
- But you saw him.
- He said he'd be here.
well, he isn't.
we need his evidence.
Find him before the entertainment starts.
Can we get to the point? I've never been unfaithful to my wife.
Nothing like that happened.
- Sergeant, I've got a disciplinary - Sorry, sir.
- I want to make a new statement.
- why is that? Because what I told you before about what happened between me and Tate I lied to you.
we'd better have the truth, then.
we were in the car.
I lost control.
I said those things to her.
I tried to kiss her.
what Tate told you was true.
I couldn't help myself.
It was crazy.
Every time I saw her, I just wanted her.
I swore I'd keep clear of her but every day it got worse.
Eating away at me.
You know that feeling - when you can't get somebody out of your head? You couldn't keep your hands off her? No.
Are you telling me you did touch her breast? Yes.
I've never cheated on my wife.
But this once I was unfaithful only in my mind.
But she can't live with that.
She's gone.
I've behaved like a fool, haven't I? what time was this? Did he say where he was going? It'll be my business when I find him, love.
Might I, in summary of the seriousness of the disciplinary offence with which Inspector Pinkney is charged, point out that his neglect of duty was no mere error of judgment nor accidental administrative shortcoming.
It was gross incompetence which resulted in the collapse of the prosecution case at a major drugs trial.
A trial at which the judge went out of his way to comment, and I quote "The irresponsible, sloppy and incompetent manner "in which the senior police officer, Detective Inspector Pinkney, "has conducted his inquiries.
" Thank you, sir.
# I'm hungry for love # Hungry for love # Get him for me, love.
Just get him.
If I could draw your attention to Document Document F.
Sergeant Butler's witness statement, which confirms the statement made by Inspector - walters.
- Inspector walters.
- How's it going? - Dodgily, sir.
Sergeant Butler's statement is, as I've pointed out, riddled with inconsistencies.
It is somewhat disappointing - though, not surprising - that the witness is not here today to attempt to justify the malicious and unfounded allegations against my client.
Nor to explain his own incompetence in the matters we Sir? May I? Sergeant Butler, who was ill, has fortunately made an unexpectedly rapid recovery.
He is waiting outside and would like to give his evidence.
In person.
Nice one.
Guv? Mo? Here's to Inspector Pinkney's well-deserved retirement.
without pension.
- Goodbye.
Good riddance.
- Cheers.
- Result first time, guv.
well done.
- Yeah.
I'll get it.
I thought his brief was gonna grab the glory.
He nearly did.
If Butler hadn't shown, Pinkney could have walked.
- Yeah, I know.
- Miraculous recovery.
- Still, nice turn-up for us.
- Yeah.
The point is, we buried 'em.
Didn't we? Friggin' right we did.
- You live and learn.
- That's the theory, anyway, guv.
- Anything important? - Yes.
Sue says, "Can you get pizza?" I bumped into Maureen at the sports club.
- who? - Connell.
She told me what you were up to the other night.
She said something about indecent assault.
- Yeah.
Not a nice job.
- what happened? I don't know.
Some bloke put his hand up some bird's skirt.
- Let's go out for a meal.
- what about the pizzas you bought? we could open a bottle of wine.
No, I don't fancy it.
Let's go out.
- Did I get you out of bed? - The bath.
what is it, sir? Colin.
- I'm in need of a corkscrew.
- I'm sorry? I thought you might like some company.
Can I come in? No, you can't! Jones is prepared to make a complete admission.
- I want it stopped.
- You can't just walk away.
- Has Jones got to you? - No.
- A mineral water and a? - Gin and tonic, please.
You must have known that this wasn't going to be easy.
Maybe I was badly advised.
By whom? After it happened, I went to Chief Superintendent Drake.
And? I described what took place and Drake said it sounded like indecent assault.
He suggested that? He said it was a serious matter and I should press charges if I wanted to.
- Did you want to? - No.
Yes.
I was angry.
But Drake encouraged you to make the complaint? Yes.
He said he'd give me his full support.
Ta.
what's happened between you and Drake? Drake came round with a bottle.
- To comfort me.
- Ah.
I find that more disgusting than the clumsy grope at me Jones made.
- Did Drake make a suggestion? - I didn't give him the chance.
Don't worry.
I'm not going to make a complaint.
I've learnt my lesson.
Look, I'm sorry about the drink.
I want to withdraw the charge.
I just want to forget about the whole damn thing.
It isn't worth the grief.
That's made a right balls-up of it.
Break my heart to see it all quietly disappear.
It doesn't smell right to me.
Come in.
I hear PC Tate wants to give it the go-by.
Yes.
She can't take the aggravation.
Surely she knew what she was letting herself in for, didn't she? well, sir, that's where it gets very interesting.
She's as good as saying that Drake advised her to lay these charges.
Drake put her up to it? She told him her story and he suggested Route One.
- why would he do that? - I don't know.
Somebody's been pulling our strings.
Get me Chief Superintendent Drake, Barwood.
How do you want to play this, sir? why don't you take this little conundrum to Commander Huxtable? He'd be delighted to wrestle it out of the mud for us.
Chief Superintendent I won't listen to accusations against my officers when they don't understand the problems we face.
The problem is you, Mr Drake.
Every complaint that is made, you refuse to see what's happening.
- You prefer to be colour-blind.
- I regard that as a compliment.
I've no prejudice against a man because of his creed, his colour or the fact that he's a police officer.
I wish some of your committee members had the same attitude.
Good night.
Deakin, CIB.
I'd like a word.
You steered wPC Tate into blowing this up and sticking it on Jones.
- why should I do that? - You tell me.
- Maybe you didn't like his face.
- Are you accusing me of something? They call you racist in the council chamber.
Don't you call me a bloody racist! I've served this community for 30 years and now they throw it in my face.
Lack of appropriate action, harassment, lack of initiative.
- CIB is chocker with complaints.
- Bollocks! If I had the resources and the strength, they could have two coppers on every corner and everything else they think is their right.
- But I don't.
- Punters dream up these complaints? Of course we get more complaints when certain officers encourage them to make a song and dance out of everything.
- Officers like Sergeant Jones? - I didn't say that.
But you think it.
Community liaison was part of his brief, wasn't it? I understand him socialising with his own kind, but he's been advising people to make complaints against my lads.
Jones was playing both sides of the street.
So you set out to bury him? I advised a wPC of her rights and her options when she came to me with a legitimate complaint.
If he's guilty, he'll be getting his just deserts, won't he? You wanted to see him off your patch.
You used her and, Chief Superintendent, you used us.
we don't want more statements from Jones.
No point him spilling his guts over a crime nobody's accusing him of.
There's an ancillary offence we could do him on, sir.
"Constructive discussions" might be appropriate.
He did have a solid record before this little fracas.
- what about the female? - wPC Tate.
She's hinted she's considering other career options.
That's her choice.
Anyway, a transfer to the sticks might be wise.
And does Jones get turfed out of Barwood? No.
He stays put.
I won't give Drake the satisfaction of seeing Jones transferred from Barwood.
He can't pull a stroke like that.
Yes, sir.
You and Deakin might pop round there and put that point to him.
- Personally.
- Yes, sir.
I'll pass this on.
I'm sure there'll be no problem.
I'm disappointed things have gone this way, Viv.
Yes, sir.
I hear that you're not likely to get a full disciplinary over this.
They're talking about giving you "constructive discussions".
Sir? They'll ask me to deliver a few choice words of advice, Jones.
Oh.
In future, you'd better learn how to deal with the females of the force without getting carried away with yourself.
You've had a lucky let-off.
we all suffer the temptations of the flesh, Viv.
But I'd keep your trousers shut for a while if I were you.
Thank you, sir.
Jones, this is Chief Superintendent Deakin.
You looking for me, sir? we've come to have a quiet word in your guv'nor's ear.
You'll be notified formally about the outcome of all this soon.
Put it behind you.
Get your head down.
You've still got a good future here at Barwood.
I've just stuck in a request for transfer, sir.
- Has Drake leant on you to do that? - No, sir.
There's a nasty odour floating about for me here.
And things at home aren't too good.
I just need a clean start.
I see.
well Bye, sir, and thanks.
- Still want words with Drake, guv? - And watch him gloat? No, thanks.
He's made monkeys out of us.
I don't see how we can touch him for it either.
Huxtable should have taken my advice.
- I could have put all this to bed.
- would have saved us a waste of time.
As it is, Drake's got what he was angling for and given the lot of us a right shafting into the bargain.
That's started my day off nicely.
Hello? Yeah.
Yeah.
I imagine I'll eat here.
OK.
I'll see you when I see you.
# I didn't mean to hurt you # I'm sorry that I made you cry # I didn't want to hurt you #