Justice (2011) s01e03 Episode Script

I can't connect with this community from behind tinted windows.
Packed his bags in the small hours, never to be seen again.
Spreading malicious gossip about the judge's private life isn't going to benefit any of us.
Stuff the press! Do you think I give a monkey's about them? They don't come much worse than Jake Little.
You've got a kid.
A daughter.
I tried to trace her a few years back, but too late.
She died.
BANGING ON DOOR BANGING CONTINUES Excuse me, love? Ta.
See you.
Thanks.
It's the fourth local business to have suffered an arson attack.
Adam was on his way to the late-night shop when the police arrested him.
He denies being involved.
He's never been in trouble before.
He recently had a trial for Tranmere Rovers.
We won't hold that against him.
LAUGHTER He also denies being part of a gang.
But the police believe that Mr Fielding knows who is responsible for these attacks? He refutes that allegation, sir.
People die in arson attacks.
Not striking the match doesn't mean you're not guilty.
On the contrary, you would be considered equally responsible.
Sir, there have been threats made to Adam and his family.
I never said that.
When did I say that? Mr Fielding, I'll ignore that outburst, but let me tell you how we do things around here.
You wait until you are spoken to, otherwise you will be in contempt.
Understand? Do you understand, Mr Fielding? Yes, sir.
Thank you.
Continue, Miss Duncan.
The family have experienced animosity from certain sections of the community.
Adam's mother's finding it difficult keeping Adam home at night.
Her biggest fear is that peer pressure could be detrimental to Adam's future.
Why did you run when you saw the police car? Just didn't want to get lifted.
Police round here think everyone's up to something.
Hm.
DOOR OPENS You still mad at me? You still working for Jake? All right, then, come with me.
What? It's just a regular job, Sharna, but if you don't believe me All right, then.
You're on.
But I'm in charge of the jukebox.
I'd like to impose a curfew for the next 28 days.
If you are caught on the streets between 9m and 7m, Mr Fielding, you will be breaking the law.
Then you will be "lifted" and we shall meet again.
Miss Duncan will explain the procedure.
I'm taking a few minutes out.
All rise.
All right, look, before I call the police, is there anyone I can call for you? KNOCK AT DOOR This is Sarah Myerson, sir.
She wanted a word.
Sarah runs the Sketch Lane Community Centre.
I mentioned it before.
Ah, yes, Mrs Myerson.
Please come in.
I'll be honest, I've mouthed off about this place with the rest of them.
I've called you not fit to burn.
Do you don't mind if I? What you just did in there was brilliant.
Adam won't lose face now.
Can I be cheeky and ask a favour? Favour? Would you to endorse a letter to the council on behalf of Josie Fielding? About rehousing them.
I'm sorry, I don't know enough You wouldn't have to write it, I'd do it.
I'll spell out all the whys and wherefores and you just put your name to it? Yeah? Are you here in a professional capacity? Would a title make me more legit? Sarah's been a real thorn in our sides on occasion, but she's champion round here, sir.
Here's my e-mail address.
Thank you.
I'll sort it when I've got a minute.
Madonna is, like, 55 or something! Check on YouTube.
She's robbed everything, seriously.
MUSIC: "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga I thought you said he was over the water.
He was, I swear.
Hey, don't leave on my account.
Suit yourself.
We know where you live.
Did you find something funny? You know, people have got a lot of respect for that woman.
We should utilise it.
We could have an open day there.
Emphasis on the youth.
Let her show the way.
We could do worse than have the Sketch Lane community on our side.
OK.
Put something on paper.
Sir? Mm? I'm still concerned about that other thing.
The other thing? Your daughter.
If we don't broach the subject No.
It's going to look like we're trying to hide something.
No one's business but mine.
Not if that reporter keeps sniffing round.
She's already been hanging round Father Jim.
They'll go to town on you.
Nothing I can't handle.
Oh, really? What "Judge's daughter left to die in life of drugs and prostitution.
" You can handle that? Oh, Alice.
Not again.
Let me give Father Jim a call.
No.
All right.
There's been no harm done.
Is it really necessary to phone the police? Those watches are worth nearly four grand.
Do you realise how many first-class restaurants there are in Liverpool? Don't change the subject.
This is what I wanted.
We're fine.
You may be.
I'll get indigestion, you carry on giving me grief.
I'd like to see you settled.
A wife.
Oh, please! I sometimes worry that you might have regrets.
Life gives us opportunities, we either take them or we don't.
Thanks to you, I did.
It's why I came back.
If my life can change I'm talking about things that we didn't discuss.
There's no need, really.
What about Mary, your daughter? Do you never feel curious about the details? "No point in looking back.
" You said that, remember? Well maybe I was wrong.
HE COUGHS Don't go pulling the sympathy card with me now.
Erm I haven't been exactly straight with you and it doesn't sit right.
Over there.
I think it's about time you paid your respects.
'After the headstone was defaced I made enquiries,' and found that Mary had a daughter.
She was taken into care when she was seven years old.
I have a grandchild and you didn't think to tell me? Well, it was impossible to get any information from social services.
I was in a far more advantageous position than you.
And then it was Christmas, and then I was in hospital with the pneumonia thing, and then, you know I'm trying to give you the benefit of the doubt here, Jim.
I should have told you, Pat.
What stopped you? I thought of you as a son.
Fathers make mistakes.
Answer the question.
I was ashamed.
I was pushing you for university all the time, irrespective of the consequences.
And then I tried to play God over Mary and when I found out about the child Which local authority was she with? Dovefield Social Services.
I wrote everything down on a scrap of paper.
I made more enquiries, but without a name it's Pat? It's not worth the manpower.
Or the cost.
Just get a bucket of water.
There's no personal references, no psychiatric report.
There's nothing wrong with me.
I'm just a bad person.
Mrs Sparks has refused all requests to offer extenuating circumstances, sir.
People usually plead guilty to show willing and to get a lesser sentence.
You seem intent on punishment.
Are you here alone today? Is there anyone with you? Well, your granddaughter, Angela? I don't have any contact with her, sir.
Well, whatever Mrs Sparks is not telling us, it's obvious that her circumstances have changed dramatically during the last six months.
Would you like to speak to me in private, Mrs Sparks? No? Well, you've never been on benefits, there's no criminal record prior to the recent shoplifting charges.
In your opinion, what would be the most beneficial outcome today? A full assessment to try to establish the change in circumstances, sir.
And what are we talking about? Two weeks? You have three days.
Mrs Sparks, I advise you to take this opportunity in the spirit in which it is being offered.
We want to help you.
So, until we meet to discuss the report, it is a condition of your discharge that you stay away from Liverpool One or I will consider a custodial sentence.
You may leave.
PUMPING MUSIC PLAYS, BABY CRIES I thought the Rogues' Gallery was a rookie's job.
Just taking some time out from a really big story I'm working on, actually.
Yeah? Mm.
An investigative piece.
Let's hope it's not a complete waste of time, or you could end up doing the horoscopes.
MUSIC: "Spider's Web" by Jamie You going on somewhere after work? Party in Manchester.
Loads of rich people are going to be there.
What? Seriously, what? Drugs, gangsters and guns.
I thought you were me mate.
I am! I can't believe you're falling for his chatter.
Why won't you believe there's more to him? Yeah, right.
Ask the lads down the boxing club, he's paying for all their gear.
So they'll jump when he clicks his fingers.
Can't you see Jake's Jake? Jake? You bang on about him a bit too much for my liking.
What are you going on about? You and Jake.
He said that he'd been getting loads of vibes off you lately.
And you believe him? You're seriously off your head, Kaz.
Proper off your head.
He's scum! And you're stupid because you can't see it.
Jake's right.
Right about what? You're a jealous little skank just like you mum.
SIGH MUSIC: "Dancing Queen" by Abba Let's play it by ear.
We'll give it half an hour, tops.
Bloody hell.
They're my guests, OK? Great.
Let's all play nice, then.
Drink, Judge? Mm.
'You're a jealous little skank, just like your mum.
'Drugs, gangsters and guns.
'Jake? You bang on about him a bit too much for my liking.
'They don't come much worse than Jake Little.
' I had to learn which grants to apply for, how to get matching funding.
Boxing clever, as they say.
I was terrible at school.
Nothing wrong with being a late starter.
WOMAN: Get in your face I couldn't even talk to people like you.
No, it doesn't Ged, sort her out or take her home, there's little kids about.
But now, ask me anything about social policy, economic policy, the benefit system It sounds like you manage this place.
Why stay a volunteer? Once you step into that bureaucratic nightmare HE LAUGHS RUEFULLY Tell me about it.
Ticking boxes and signing chitties isn't what I'm interested in.
I'd rather make a difference.
You're a day early.
So what exactly happens here, day to day? Varies.
After-school club, Early Birds subsidised cafe, young mums' club on a Wednesday, pensioners' bingo lunch Thursday.
Edna's just been telling me about your famous Friday night.
People can't afford to go to town for a night out so we usually have a big pan of scouse.
I heard she makes a fantastic curry.
Or Italian.
We stick candles on the table, have a few bottles of wine, maybe have a singsong.
We're quite European, actually.
We have a laugh on a Friday, don't we, Peter? It's got a nice feel, this place.
People have to fight for something, they tend to care.
That's the ethos I'd like to create at the Justice Centre.
Good luck with that one! Well, it's not impossible.
We need to work together, change the way the community sees itself.
And people have to have a little faith in us.
There lies your problem.
Most people I know don't trust the system.
Well, that's where you could help alleviate it.
Joe and I could come down here and talk to people about what we do.
A PR exercise, you mean? No, thanks.
No, no, not at all.
The law's never done anything for us.
"Never" doesn't mean "ever".
I will make things right, even if I have to bend the rules now and then.
That's all she can manage this month.
CAR HORN SOUNDS You're that judge, aren't you? Patrick Coburn.
I thought your recent driving ban on the kerb crawlers round the North End was a stroke of genius.
No more punters equals no more sex workers.
Problem solved, eh? Something had to be done.
You taking driving licences off half a dozen blokes won't actually help the girls, though.
They've had to move out to Marsh Lane Industrial Estate, now.
Do you know it? It's miles from anywhere, no cameras, it's dead dark, dangerous.
Unless they've got a patron, which is a whole different ball game, but the single ladies have to risk it.
No one denies it's not complex.
It's pretty simple.
Get a dodgy punter who gets off on smacking women, there's no doors to knock on for help, no cars to flag down.
No one to hear her screaming when she's getting a good kicking.
It's just a matter of time before one of them ends up murdered.
You clearly have strong opinions.
I know where I come from.
So what would you do? SHE SCOFFS It's a perfectly valid question.
Seriously? Girls on the street, not in parlours or hotels, on the street it's always drug related.
I'd start with that.
Take a holistic approach.
Places on rehabilitation programs are few and far between.
Tell me about it.
Unless you've got the money.
POP MUSIC PLAYS What's the collection for? Did I say something? A friend of mine.
She was our cleaner here.
'Her granddaughter's in trouble, 'she borrowed money from the wrong source.
'You were talking to her before.
Her nan is helping her clear the debt, save her from a beating.
' 'We have a collection here for them whenever we can.
' 'How much are we talking about?' 'Was five grand, now it's ten and climbing.
'She's all she's got.
She lost her son to drugs.
'So she'll beg, steal, borrow to save this one' 'literally.
' Alice Sparks? I never mentioned any names.
Who are they in hock to? Off the record.
I may be able to help.
Send Jake Little away and you'll help a lot of people around here.
There's a fine line between community spirit and being a grass, you know.
HE CHUCKLES MIRTHLESSLY Come on.
That's your mates doing that.
Come on! How's your back? Fine.
How'd you get on with Social Services? I didn't come to talk about that.
Well, whatever you did come to talk about Do you know a woman called Alice Sparks? SOBBING Get out! Go on, get out! KNOCK AT DOOR You know what they say about the mountain coming to the prophet, Alice? Not that I'm equating myself with a prophet.
He'd have her on the streets if he could.
No matter where she goes in this city Mrs Sparks He'll find her.
I HAVE to pay him.
Hear him out, Alice.
Look, the only way out of this with the least possible damage Do you know what it feels like to outlive your own child? Well, I do, so I won't risk losing my grandchild.
Now, this conversation never happened.
I've been invited to a Lord Mayor's event.
The Chief Constable will be there.
Now, if I can persuade him to make Jake Little a priority then he'll make sure that your granddaughter is Half of them drink in Little's club.
You must stop making these payments.
You don't understand.
Look, if Little and his cronies go after Angela No! They don't care about us! It'll give the police a reason to delve into the business Start a thorough investigation, which may result They know what he's up to! In Little being sent down for a long time.
We're on our own.
She's not going to agree to it.
Then the next time Alice is caught There must be something you can do? Stealing is unlawful, there's no getting away from it.
Angie will take full responsibility for the debt if you go into prison.
I know she will.
That's what I'm worried about.
Please, I could never do that! Then drive to Birmingham, I'll sort you out with a set of wheels.
That's not my life any more! Pick up one small package for me.
You're there and back in the same day, no one's any the wiser.
It'll be a doddle.
I'll even treat you to a little sample, eh? It's top notch gear.
Just cut me a bit of slack, on the interest, Jake.
Please.
I've always had a soft spot for you, Angie, but you're getting a bit too cheeky, lately.
I've given you two options.
Choose one.
Your timing's good, I've just made a pot of tea.
Where have you been? You've been to see him.
He wants me to do one job.
You're not! And then I won't owe him anything.
Whatever stupid things you've done Angela, you've only ever hurt yourself.
He'll get his hooks into you again.
You're a good person, he's not.
Being good isn't enough, though, Nan.
It's not! If it wasn't for people like him, your dad would still be alive.
Dealing with Jake Little only ever leads down the one path.
Promise me you'll remember that.
Promise me.
I promise.
Then you promise not to put yourself on the line for me again.
It's not happening fast enough, Joe.
The results aren't justifiable.
Things take time to filter down.
Things are not right at the top.
Look at the issue with the sex workers.
Sex workers? You going all PC, on us? Wasting time on symptoms.
Bang them away, no counselling, no educational courses.
Money's always been a problem.
But commit a serious crime and go down for a long stretch there's all sorts of help available.
Murderers get offered more help than petty criminals.
What we do isn't cost effective.
So, what are you saying? We have to be more realistic.
Oh, come on.
You can't put us through all that and then throw the towel in because you don't think we're being realistic.
I appreciate your support, Joe.
Really, I do.
But I think we're kidding ourselves.
Then make it work.
Whatever it takes.
Everyone at the centre is going their extra mile, so stop feeling sorry for yourself and find a way of upping your game or else I'm going to wipe the table with you.
To be honest, Joe I'm done.
Angie! Angie, come here, girl, I'm not going to hurt you.
Come on! Any sign? Actually, he wasn't feeling too good last night, you know.
Morning.
Morning.
Is everything all right? Yeah, fine.
BIKE CLATTERS METAL DETECTOR ALARM Thanks, Tommy.
Apologies for keeping you all waiting.
This was the morning when my slow puncture gathered speed.
Right, let's call the first case.
Angela Sparks.
Angela Sparks? So, until her arrest last night, and despite similar drugs offences in the past, this is the only time Miss Sparks has been arrested in 12 months? Angela has managed to turn her life around, sir, but last night when she was assaulted Who did that to your face? Someone you know? No, sir.
Hm.
Carry on, Miss Woods.
She was found to be in possession of a small amount of crack cocaine.
Angela Sparks has never dealt drugs, sir.
In fact, she's desperate to get back on track, but she's worried about that happening in her current financial situation.
Yes, I am aware that Miss Sparks is under considerable pressure, as I'm sure you are aware that, in this field, the police operate a zero tolerance approach.
I've tried to stay clean, but round here drugs find you.
I'm sorry, your Honour.
Are you serious about getting clean? Yes, sir.
If you had the opportunity to take part in an intensive drugs rehabilitation program, would you? Absolutely.
Why should I believe you? It's my last chance.
I'll be dead before I'm 35.
I think it's important to take every individual's situation into account.
I'd like to find a residential drug rehabilitation program within 24 hours.
We'll meet to talk about a plan of action.
I want you to know, Miss Sparks, that you're right, this is your last chance.
There won't be any more from me.
I suggest you go home and pack your suitcase.
We shall speak tomorrow.
Well, the next case is a no show.
Time for my caffeine fix and, yes, I do see the irony in that statement.
All rise.
PHONE BUZZES There's a waiting list, you know? You're leaving us wide open here.
Do you need to speak to me about anything specific? Sarah Myerson's been on the phone.
Alice Sparks has been arrested again.
You are one of a kind.
I want you to leave Kaz alone.
Walking in here, without any fear.
She's in a bad head space at the minute.
I know boxers who wouldn't have the bottle to do that.
She's not coming back.
She's scared of you.
But you're not, are you? Boo! Here's all the stuff you bought her.
No, no it doesn't work like that, see? You've got me on a bad day.
This morning I have had to fork out a couple of hundred quid for a paint job for my car.
I am not happy, you see what I'm saying? Open the door or I'll scream.
I talk, you listen! OK? YOU owe me now and I charge a daily interest rate, but we'll get to that later.
You see I don't like people swerving my calls so your mate should be scared and she's off her head if she thinks she can just walk because she owes me, big time.
If you don't open the door Shh.
Oh, your mouth smells of mint.
Really fresh.
Oh, yeah, I like that.
We could settle up that debt now if you like if it's easier? Like your mum used to.
Be cheaper in the long run.
Apart from your mate, I bet no one else knows you're here, do they, eh? I mean, who'd care? Who's going to come running for the likes of you? My granddad the judge, he cares! Coburn is your granddad? Behave.
Why do you think he came back? He knows what happened to me mum so if anything happens to me, you're the first person he's going to want to talk to.
The police will be all over this place like a rash.
Bleeding hell! You're not messing, are you? You are one of a kind, you know that, babes? OK? Mm-hm.
Thanks.
All right, babes? I'm Jake Little, I want to speak to Louise Scanlon.
I haven't got an appointment, but I think she'll see me.
Just tell her it's about Judge Coburn.
Mrs Sparks, you have continually ignored opportunities to avoid a custodial sentence so I have no option but to send you away for a seven-day detention period You can't! In the hope that you realise that stealing is an intolerable offence, whatever the circumstances.
I'm sorry.
It's outrageous.
Thieves and drug takers get away with a slap on the wrist! She's 74, for God's sake! And it's my fault, it's all my fault.
I think we should take a short break there.
There you go, Judge Coburn's secret granddaughter.
There was no other possible course of action.
You don't have to keep explaining yourself, judge.
'You know, I'm thinking Angela Sparks' residential should be as far away as possible, 'that's assuming she turns up tomorrow, 'but, tonight she's on her own.
' She can stay with me.
Get in touch with the Chief of Police.
I want an officer at the Church.
I don't care what it takes.
We have to up our game, get something on Jake Little.
I'm ashamed of what I've done, but it doesn't change it.
I have to print it.
You do your job and I'll do mine.
Why are you so nice to me? Cos I'm a nice man.
She's not your business! The sentence is 12 months, of which not less than 9 are to be served.
Flagrant disregard for the law will not be tolerated on my watch.
I want to kill again, Father.
Who do you want to kill, Leonard? My resignation will be on your desk first thing in the morning.
Joe?