Place of Execution s01e03 Episode Script
Episode 3
1 One afternoon, 13-year-old Alison Carter walked out of her home and simply disappeared.
It's time to Tell Mum her baby's not coming home.
We're gonna charge you with murder.
You're trying to frame me.
Your necks are on the line.
You're making up this rubbish! You worked in Vice.
Did you have access to child pornography? Fair hearing or cover-up? Don't die, George.
Please.
The judge is Fletcher Sampson.
When he sees those photos you WILL hang.
- Please tell me where she is! - I didn't kill her.
Place of execution 1x03 Trad.
Rev.
I saw her go down the path, the dog at her heels.
She looked back once, then she went.
I never saw her again.
Thank you.
So why do you do your job, then, Catherine? Because I think there are stories that need to be told.
Alison's story's already been told.
Has it, though? What do you mean? She was never found.
That lost girl.
Anyway, I don't like secrets.
So you ferret 'em out.
Go on, then.
Ask me a question.
Is it possible? Is it conceivable .
.
that the evidence could have been falsified to get a conviction on Hawkin? Could George have faked those photographs? Well, I can't believe it, Catherine.
Inspector Bennett, please.
How many missing child cases have you done, Inspector? This is my first.
Oh, your first.
Tell me, how often were you alone in the Manor House? Hardly at all.
Hardly at all? Or never? There were probably a few occasions.
Were you alone in Alison's bedroom? Yes.
How long for? I don't know.
Half, three-quarters of an hour? Why so long? I wanted to get a sense of her.
Were you alone in Mr Hawkin's darkroom? Yes.
How long for? 15-20 minutes? I was waiting to see if my sergeant could find a key to the safe.
And you didn't help him? I didn't want to leave the darkroom.
Who did in fact find the key? I did.
So it was in the darkroom all the time? Yes.
What are your hobbies? Highsmith asks Bennett about his background.
What do you mean? I'll read it.
"Highsmith: What are your hobbies? Bennett: I play cricket, go fell-walking.
Highsmith: Haven't you missed one out?" Weren't you secretary to your school camera club, and treasurer of the Manchester University Photographic Society? Yes.
So isn't photography a hobby? I suppose so.
In fact, you know how to take photos, develop and print them.
Yes.
Then he asks if Hawkin's photos could've been faked.
What did he say? Technically, yes, but it's extreemely Do you know how to fake photographs yourself, Inspector? Objection, My Lord.
This is insinuation.
The defence is maligning a police officer without evidence.
Sustained.
Please disregard the question.
And then Sampson goes on to order the jury to disregard the question.
Most judges support the police.
Yeah, but the issue was raised.
Then buried.
What kind of camera was used to take these photos? Well, it have to be a portrait camera.
A Bronica.
Or a Rolleiflex.
Do you possess such a camera? - My Lord! Here we go again.
- Sustained.
Catherine must have learned that the photos could have been faked.
That George might have been responsible.
And that's why she's chasing him.
But we cannot prove anything because the evidence has gone up in flames.
We can pose the question, though.
Do you believe my client is guilty? I believe what the evidence tell me.
But isn't there an alternative explanation for every single piece of evidence? Not one that makes sense.
Doesn't your obsession with Alison Carter make sense of them? - What do you mean? - Were you obsessed with Alison Carter? There's your motive for murder there, sir.
What do you see when you look at her? George.
I was obsessed with finding her.
But you didn't! You're an ambitious policeman with the eyes of the country on you.
You couldn't afford to fail.
So you had to find someone to blame.
You're right.
I didn't find her.
Instead I found evidence of her rape and her murder, and that led me to Philip Hawkin.
I have no further questions.
Re-cut the film.
Get a camera crew over to Morton.
Get an interview with Bennett.
Push him.
Challenge him on these questions.
OK, but what about Catherine? Let me worry about Catherine.
So what are you gonna do? Go back to Scardale, talk to the villagers.
Nah, they'll not talk to you.
Why not? Because they love George.
They trust him.
- That's why you're coming with me.
- 'Ey? Well, they trust George they trust you too.
I'm not going anywhere.
Why don't you leave it alone? Sorry.
Keith, hi.
'Catherine, you're off the film.
' What? 'You lied to me.
' - Keith what you talking about? You can't do that! - 'Yes, I can.
' - Keith, listen - 'I've listened more than I should.
' - Just give me one more day.
- 'You've had all your time.
Bye, Catherine.
' What is it, Mum? I've just been fired.
My heart bleeds.
You don't get it, do you?! The film will still be made but by people who don't give a damn about George! And believe me, destroying George will make much better TV than praising him.
Were you obsessed with Alison Carter? No, you cannot film Mr Bennett.
Dr Panaseer, I'm here because he is being accused of some really serious stuff and I want to let him put his side of the story.
I'm here because George Bennett is seriously ill.
The only story I care about is whether he lives or dies.
Margaret.
Margaret Bennett? Remember me? Nicola Curry.
I heard what happened to George.
I'm so sorry.
Keith Slocombe sent me to see if there's anything we could do for you or George.
- Yes.
Stay away.
- I understand.
Really.
It's just that um Well I hate to say this but Catherine Heathcote is on something of a tear.
- What do you mean? - She claims she has some disturbing information about George.
What information? That he may have doctored evidence in the Alison Carter case.
Not George! How can you even think - I don't.
It's what people will think.
That's why it's important I speak to George.
Speak? He can hardly breathe.
OK, well perhaps you could speak for him.
You know, put his side of events.
I've got a crew here.
We could do it now.
Catherine wouldn't give you this chance.
You little shit! You're not fit to clean her shoes.
Now just leave us alone! Did you get that? They don't like you, do they, Mr Hawkin? How could they? All the things I'm supposed to have done.
What was your relationship with the village like before Alison disappeared? They disliked me then too.
I'd taken one of their own.
Ruth Carter.
Why did you marry her? She was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen.
- I loved her.
- What about her daughter Alison? It was difficult sometimes.
But I tried to be a good father.
I really did.
- You're trembling, Margaret.
- You shouldn't talk.
What's wrong? They're here still, the film people.
That researcher woman.
I'm afraid I threw my tea at her! Waste of a good cuppa.
Hospital tea! They want to film me again, don't they? They say they have new information.
As if that'll make any difference.
Difference to what? To what I've done.
Why are we here, ladies and gentlemen? Why is my client on trial? For one reason only.
The zeal of Detective Inspector George Bennett.
He wove a web, a brilliant web, of circumstantial evidence.
And with it he snared an innocent man.
In fact, he succeeded in everything.
Except the one thing he really should have.
He didn't find Alison Carter.
Shame! Silence! Or I'll clear the court.
Now, from the bottom of my heart, I pray that Alison is alive.
Indeed, for all any of us know she could still be.
She could walk back in here and tell us exactly what happened.
She would point at him and she would say, "He didn't do it!" Circumstantial evidence what does that mean? That it's ambiguous, that it doesn't prove its point.
What's ambiguous about these photographs? What point don't they prove? It's child rape.
Worse, it's rape memorialised, made permanent.
These pictures show what he was capable of.
Next to them, the act of murder seems almost kind.
At least it brought that little girl's long sufferings to an end.
But don't be kind to Philip Hawkin.
You've seen what he did to innocents.
Find him guilty.
The jury's been out two hours already.
It's a murder trial, George.
They won't decide in a second.
Plus there's that "George Bennett bent copper" stuff.
Come on, lad.
They put that to bed.
I wish I'd fitted him up.
Made sure the damn case was watertight.
So tell me, did you never have any doubts about George? I don't know.
The jury's coming back.
Members of the jury, are you agreed upon your verdict? We are.
And how say you on Count One the charge of rape? - Guilty.
- Charge Two the charge of murder? Guilty.
Silence in court! Disquiet surrounded many aspects of this case.
Not only was there no body, but a tide of public protest was rising against capital punishment.
The prosecution demanded that Hawkin face the ultimate penalty for the crime of which he was accused death.
But that decision would not ultimately lie with the jury.
It would fall to the notorious Lord Fletcher Sampson to preside over the punishment.
Philip Hawkin.
Have you anything to say before sentence is passed? Yes.
I didn't kill her.
Philip Hawkin, jury has found that you raped your step-daughter Alison Carter a girl of 13.
And that you subsequently murdered her.
That you used a gun in the commission of this crime, permits me to pronounce a sentence the law allows .
.
and that justice requires.
Philip Hawkin, you shall be taken to the place from whence you came.
From thence to a place of execution .
.
and there you shall be hanged by the neck until you be dead.
Afterwards your body will be buried in a common grave .
.
within the precincts of the prison.
And may the Lord have mercy upon your soul.
Why did you leave so soon after the verdict? - Who said I did? - George.
George told me.
Hearing a man was going to hang was hardly a cause for celebration.
Satisfied, Inspector Bennett? What is it, Tommy? Why did he have to hang, Catherine? "I have nothing left to lose but my life.
So there's no reason for me to lie now.
" Ruth showed me the letter he wrote.
He was still claiming he was innocent.
Stand up.
"Believe me, when I write, I have no idea what happened to Alison.
I should not hang for something I have not done.
But my fate is sealed because other people have lied.
My death is on their conscience.
" So, at eight o'clock in the morning on the 14th April 1964, the story of Alison Carter came to an end.
And justice was done.
OK, what else have you got? Why do you want to do this? Kathy Lomas and her son Charlie are the only people still alive from that time.
But they've always refused to speak to me.
But I'm hoping that with you here maybe To ask what? See if they'll shed some light on what's going on with George.
What really happened? When were you last here, Tommy? More than 40 years.
What the hell's going on here? I think that's Charlie Lomas.
Stay in the car, Sash.
Just pass me my camera.
Hello, Charlie.
My name is Catherine Heathcote.
You're not welcome here.
You've done enough damage.
What damage, Charlie? Think we don't know about George being in hospital, close to dying? - Get out before you get hurt.
- Who do you think you're threatening? - Who the hell are you? - Don't you recognise me, Charlie? Hello, Charlie.
Sit down, you're not going anywhere! - Tommy Clough.
- That's right.
Mum.
Where have you been? I've been about.
But now I'm back and I want to talk to you.
We've done too much talking.
Especially to her.
Mum! So get back in the car and go! I'm here to help George.
- Mum, let's go! - I'm here to help him.
Mum! Mum, let's go! Right.
Why don't you run a bath and then we'll get ourselves something to eat? OK? I'm sorry about today.
I'm sorry about everything, actually.
Which? Two different things.
Well, I'm sorry about everything.
And today.
I've taken you to places you shouldn't have gone.
And showed you things you shouldn't have seen.
And haven't taken you into account.
And I'm really sorry.
But I wish I'd got my camera out.
Why? Cos if I'd had my camera out they might not have attacked us.
My camera's my shield.
Lets me look without being seen.
I always saw you.
I don't think you ever saw me.
Sash.
I do now, darling.
When this is all over I'm going to take a long break.
You'll stop work? Wellyeah.
They've taken the film away from me anyway so So why are you still doing it? Because when I got out of the car .
.
I saw shutters open at the Manor House.
And anyway, the violence was telling me something.
What? They've got something to hide.
The story of Alison's disappearance transfixed the nation.
It made a hero of the policeman who solved the crime and it sent the supposed culprit Philip Hawkin to his death by hanging.
But sensational new evidence now throws the entire police investigation into doubt.
Did they hang an innocent man? - Tommy.
- Five minutes, all right? Settle down.
Settle yourself.
Mum, please.
Do this.
It's only a day.
In fact, half a day, really.
'I suppose I'll have to come by rail.
' Yeah.
I'll book your train ticket for you.
I'll have a taxi meet you at the station.
'OK, OK, if it's that important.
' Thanks.
'But please, not before eight.
' Thanks very much.
I'll um I'll call you later with the details.
- All right? Bye.
- 'All right.
' Tommy.
How was George? He didn't wake up.
I may have to go out in the morning for a short while.
Would you mind keeping an eye on Sasha for an hour or two? What are you up to, Catherine? I don't knowreally.
It's like an itch I can'tscratch.
Catherine.
Be careful.
Me and George used to come in here.
Sowhere's your mother gone to, then, Sasha? Just out for a couple of hours.
At least that's what her note said.
Did it say where she'd gone? Oh, come on, Sasha.
What's she up to? Mum said that she saw the shutters of the Manor House open yesterday.
I knew she was hiding something.
She's a piece of work.
She's not in trouble, is she? Well, if she is I'm sure she can handle it.
When's your gran coming? - Any minute now.
- Good, cos I - What's this? - Just some stuff I did when I was a kid.
- You did this? - That's what Gran said.
And who's CD? I don't know.
Mum's maiden name was Duggan.
Catherine Duggan? Shit.
What the hell are you doing here? Kathy? Kathy Lomas? I'm Catherine Heathcote.
- You remember me?! - Yes, I know who you are.
Charlie said you were here yesterday.
What do you want? I've got questions I need answers to, Kathy.
- Can I come in? - No, no, you can't.
The owner doesn't like visitors.
Say what you've got to say then go.
We need your help.
George Bennett is about to get torn to pieces.
If you have anything to tell me say it now.
What's it got to do with us? George Bennett had a good ride out of his success at Scardale.
He'll have to take the rough with the smooth.
- Even if it kills him? - You started this.
You didn't have to make this film.
George didn't have to be part of it.
You've only got yourselves to blame.
You go and you leave us in peace.
You won't be left in peace very long.
Well, then, we'll deal with it.
We've dealt with everything else.
Yes.
Thanks for talking to me.
I'm sorry George was taken ill.
Seemed like he was fine.
You've seen him? He was here.
He was here five days ago.
Wasn't he? Wasn't he? That's when he called me.
That's when he pulled out.
- Get out! - What did he find here? What did he find here? - Go away! - What have you done, Kathy? - All of you! What have you done?! - Get out! I'm coming in! Get out of the house! No, you can't come in! You're not allowed! Get out! Alison! I'll tell you what happened.
I'll say it only once.
My mother decided I had to leave - it was my only way out.
Ma Lomas planned it all.
Right 'She bled me.
' Brave girl.
Bled you? Me, my mother, Kathy.
We knew we needed a lot of blood.
Why so much? Anything less and the police might have thought I was still alive.
And And the gun? I stole it.
From Colonel Carey's house.
I worked there as a cleaner.
We all played our part.
Dan fired the bullet for the police to find in the mine.
And Ruth hid the gun in Hawkin's study.
Sothe police followed your trail? Yeah, I went to the woods with my dog Shep.
I tied him up and I walked out on my own life.
That was it.
I was driven away.
I never saw my mother again.
- Where did you go? - I went to my Aunt Nancy's.
She was about to move from Manchester to Canada and I went as their daughter Janis.
That's where Janis Crowther has been until now.
Why? Why do THIS to Hawkin? - Because he destroyed my life.
- Can you prove that? - The police proved it.
- They proved you were dead.
But here you are.
They hanged a man for killing you.
But here you are.
So YOU prove it.
Take a look at the photos.
They prove it.
I can't.
They're burned.
Was that part of your plan? That was Charlie.
When we heard you were making a film we were worried.
We thought they might go back, test the evidence.
DNA.
- So you WERE worried about the photos? - No.
No, they were real.
I remember every click of the camera.
Every flash.
I remember the weight of him, the smell of him.
Can you prove it? I mean, you've lied about everything else.
Can you prove it? Follow me.
But But this isn't proof.
THIS is.
Oh, God.
Oh, God.
Oh, God.
Who are they? The children of Scardale.
He had us all.
There was one girl we didn't know.
Catherine! He would have waited till Mum and I were out.
Catherine! Smile.
Catherine! Please! Pleaseplease.
Please.
Sorry.
Sorry.
Sorry, Tommy.
I justdidn't remember.
Just blanked it out.
And I've spent my whole life hiding behind a camera.
Do you think your mother knew? I don't know.
Maybe.
There's your proof.
The negatives are inside.
George Bennett didn't fake a thing.
No, he did worse.
We hung a man for a crime that he didn't commit.
He committed worse crimes.
Countless times.
Worse than murder? Why didn't you just say something to police or Social Services? If they'd said anything those kids would have been taken into care and their parents blamed.
Hawkin would have emptied the village! You have what you need.
Go away and leave us alone.
It is not as simple as that.
You conspired to commit murder.
What are we supposed to do with that knowledge, me and her? And what about George? I's an honorable man.
What's he gonna do when he finds out? He already has, hasn't he? It was an accident.
I just got here.
I was outside.
Excuse me.
He knew me instantly.
I couldn't speak.
I'd been so careful for so long.
And what did he do? He didn't say a word.
He just walked away.
You do what you gotta do, what you need to do.
I've been hiding all my life.
It's time to stop.
It's not just you, Alison.
What about us? Our kids and their kids? We all knew the risk.
Catherine he would never have stopped.
Never have been caught.
I feel just like Alison.
Walking out of my own life.
Maybe into a better one.
Sasha doesn't know, does she? I think she might have worked it out.
Unlike me.
Are you going to talk to George? I think that it would be better if you talked to him, eh? Thank you, Tommy.
I told you not to go digging! But I did.
Let's go home.
Catherine.
You said we couldn't meet in the office.
I thought I'd save you the embarrassment.
After all, I have been fired.
You gave me no choice.
Well, I'm giving you one now.
George Bennett didn't fake the Alison Carter photos.
Jesus.
Who are they? The children of Scardale.
You can have the negatives analysed, if you like.
We'll reinstate the film.
And if you want to include this new material you can.
What is this? Open it.
Her name is Catherine Duggan.
Who? It's me.
Catherine, I'm so sorry.
I have to ask where did you find these? From Alison Carter.
Sorry? From Alison Carter.
She's alive? You saw her? You actually spoke to her? Incredible! Can we talk to her? We've got to get her on film.
I think this story might be over, Keith.
Why are you giving me these if you want me to bury it? Whatever happened to Catherine Heathcote renownedseeker of the truth? Don't you think this might just be a case where truth and justice are not the same thing? This is going to have to be your choice, Keith.
I'm putting myselfall of us .
.
in your hands.
Cardiology.
Can I help you? Who am I speaking to, please?
It's time to Tell Mum her baby's not coming home.
We're gonna charge you with murder.
You're trying to frame me.
Your necks are on the line.
You're making up this rubbish! You worked in Vice.
Did you have access to child pornography? Fair hearing or cover-up? Don't die, George.
Please.
The judge is Fletcher Sampson.
When he sees those photos you WILL hang.
- Please tell me where she is! - I didn't kill her.
Place of execution 1x03 Trad.
Rev.
I saw her go down the path, the dog at her heels.
She looked back once, then she went.
I never saw her again.
Thank you.
So why do you do your job, then, Catherine? Because I think there are stories that need to be told.
Alison's story's already been told.
Has it, though? What do you mean? She was never found.
That lost girl.
Anyway, I don't like secrets.
So you ferret 'em out.
Go on, then.
Ask me a question.
Is it possible? Is it conceivable .
.
that the evidence could have been falsified to get a conviction on Hawkin? Could George have faked those photographs? Well, I can't believe it, Catherine.
Inspector Bennett, please.
How many missing child cases have you done, Inspector? This is my first.
Oh, your first.
Tell me, how often were you alone in the Manor House? Hardly at all.
Hardly at all? Or never? There were probably a few occasions.
Were you alone in Alison's bedroom? Yes.
How long for? I don't know.
Half, three-quarters of an hour? Why so long? I wanted to get a sense of her.
Were you alone in Mr Hawkin's darkroom? Yes.
How long for? 15-20 minutes? I was waiting to see if my sergeant could find a key to the safe.
And you didn't help him? I didn't want to leave the darkroom.
Who did in fact find the key? I did.
So it was in the darkroom all the time? Yes.
What are your hobbies? Highsmith asks Bennett about his background.
What do you mean? I'll read it.
"Highsmith: What are your hobbies? Bennett: I play cricket, go fell-walking.
Highsmith: Haven't you missed one out?" Weren't you secretary to your school camera club, and treasurer of the Manchester University Photographic Society? Yes.
So isn't photography a hobby? I suppose so.
In fact, you know how to take photos, develop and print them.
Yes.
Then he asks if Hawkin's photos could've been faked.
What did he say? Technically, yes, but it's extreemely Do you know how to fake photographs yourself, Inspector? Objection, My Lord.
This is insinuation.
The defence is maligning a police officer without evidence.
Sustained.
Please disregard the question.
And then Sampson goes on to order the jury to disregard the question.
Most judges support the police.
Yeah, but the issue was raised.
Then buried.
What kind of camera was used to take these photos? Well, it have to be a portrait camera.
A Bronica.
Or a Rolleiflex.
Do you possess such a camera? - My Lord! Here we go again.
- Sustained.
Catherine must have learned that the photos could have been faked.
That George might have been responsible.
And that's why she's chasing him.
But we cannot prove anything because the evidence has gone up in flames.
We can pose the question, though.
Do you believe my client is guilty? I believe what the evidence tell me.
But isn't there an alternative explanation for every single piece of evidence? Not one that makes sense.
Doesn't your obsession with Alison Carter make sense of them? - What do you mean? - Were you obsessed with Alison Carter? There's your motive for murder there, sir.
What do you see when you look at her? George.
I was obsessed with finding her.
But you didn't! You're an ambitious policeman with the eyes of the country on you.
You couldn't afford to fail.
So you had to find someone to blame.
You're right.
I didn't find her.
Instead I found evidence of her rape and her murder, and that led me to Philip Hawkin.
I have no further questions.
Re-cut the film.
Get a camera crew over to Morton.
Get an interview with Bennett.
Push him.
Challenge him on these questions.
OK, but what about Catherine? Let me worry about Catherine.
So what are you gonna do? Go back to Scardale, talk to the villagers.
Nah, they'll not talk to you.
Why not? Because they love George.
They trust him.
- That's why you're coming with me.
- 'Ey? Well, they trust George they trust you too.
I'm not going anywhere.
Why don't you leave it alone? Sorry.
Keith, hi.
'Catherine, you're off the film.
' What? 'You lied to me.
' - Keith what you talking about? You can't do that! - 'Yes, I can.
' - Keith, listen - 'I've listened more than I should.
' - Just give me one more day.
- 'You've had all your time.
Bye, Catherine.
' What is it, Mum? I've just been fired.
My heart bleeds.
You don't get it, do you?! The film will still be made but by people who don't give a damn about George! And believe me, destroying George will make much better TV than praising him.
Were you obsessed with Alison Carter? No, you cannot film Mr Bennett.
Dr Panaseer, I'm here because he is being accused of some really serious stuff and I want to let him put his side of the story.
I'm here because George Bennett is seriously ill.
The only story I care about is whether he lives or dies.
Margaret.
Margaret Bennett? Remember me? Nicola Curry.
I heard what happened to George.
I'm so sorry.
Keith Slocombe sent me to see if there's anything we could do for you or George.
- Yes.
Stay away.
- I understand.
Really.
It's just that um Well I hate to say this but Catherine Heathcote is on something of a tear.
- What do you mean? - She claims she has some disturbing information about George.
What information? That he may have doctored evidence in the Alison Carter case.
Not George! How can you even think - I don't.
It's what people will think.
That's why it's important I speak to George.
Speak? He can hardly breathe.
OK, well perhaps you could speak for him.
You know, put his side of events.
I've got a crew here.
We could do it now.
Catherine wouldn't give you this chance.
You little shit! You're not fit to clean her shoes.
Now just leave us alone! Did you get that? They don't like you, do they, Mr Hawkin? How could they? All the things I'm supposed to have done.
What was your relationship with the village like before Alison disappeared? They disliked me then too.
I'd taken one of their own.
Ruth Carter.
Why did you marry her? She was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen.
- I loved her.
- What about her daughter Alison? It was difficult sometimes.
But I tried to be a good father.
I really did.
- You're trembling, Margaret.
- You shouldn't talk.
What's wrong? They're here still, the film people.
That researcher woman.
I'm afraid I threw my tea at her! Waste of a good cuppa.
Hospital tea! They want to film me again, don't they? They say they have new information.
As if that'll make any difference.
Difference to what? To what I've done.
Why are we here, ladies and gentlemen? Why is my client on trial? For one reason only.
The zeal of Detective Inspector George Bennett.
He wove a web, a brilliant web, of circumstantial evidence.
And with it he snared an innocent man.
In fact, he succeeded in everything.
Except the one thing he really should have.
He didn't find Alison Carter.
Shame! Silence! Or I'll clear the court.
Now, from the bottom of my heart, I pray that Alison is alive.
Indeed, for all any of us know she could still be.
She could walk back in here and tell us exactly what happened.
She would point at him and she would say, "He didn't do it!" Circumstantial evidence what does that mean? That it's ambiguous, that it doesn't prove its point.
What's ambiguous about these photographs? What point don't they prove? It's child rape.
Worse, it's rape memorialised, made permanent.
These pictures show what he was capable of.
Next to them, the act of murder seems almost kind.
At least it brought that little girl's long sufferings to an end.
But don't be kind to Philip Hawkin.
You've seen what he did to innocents.
Find him guilty.
The jury's been out two hours already.
It's a murder trial, George.
They won't decide in a second.
Plus there's that "George Bennett bent copper" stuff.
Come on, lad.
They put that to bed.
I wish I'd fitted him up.
Made sure the damn case was watertight.
So tell me, did you never have any doubts about George? I don't know.
The jury's coming back.
Members of the jury, are you agreed upon your verdict? We are.
And how say you on Count One the charge of rape? - Guilty.
- Charge Two the charge of murder? Guilty.
Silence in court! Disquiet surrounded many aspects of this case.
Not only was there no body, but a tide of public protest was rising against capital punishment.
The prosecution demanded that Hawkin face the ultimate penalty for the crime of which he was accused death.
But that decision would not ultimately lie with the jury.
It would fall to the notorious Lord Fletcher Sampson to preside over the punishment.
Philip Hawkin.
Have you anything to say before sentence is passed? Yes.
I didn't kill her.
Philip Hawkin, jury has found that you raped your step-daughter Alison Carter a girl of 13.
And that you subsequently murdered her.
That you used a gun in the commission of this crime, permits me to pronounce a sentence the law allows .
.
and that justice requires.
Philip Hawkin, you shall be taken to the place from whence you came.
From thence to a place of execution .
.
and there you shall be hanged by the neck until you be dead.
Afterwards your body will be buried in a common grave .
.
within the precincts of the prison.
And may the Lord have mercy upon your soul.
Why did you leave so soon after the verdict? - Who said I did? - George.
George told me.
Hearing a man was going to hang was hardly a cause for celebration.
Satisfied, Inspector Bennett? What is it, Tommy? Why did he have to hang, Catherine? "I have nothing left to lose but my life.
So there's no reason for me to lie now.
" Ruth showed me the letter he wrote.
He was still claiming he was innocent.
Stand up.
"Believe me, when I write, I have no idea what happened to Alison.
I should not hang for something I have not done.
But my fate is sealed because other people have lied.
My death is on their conscience.
" So, at eight o'clock in the morning on the 14th April 1964, the story of Alison Carter came to an end.
And justice was done.
OK, what else have you got? Why do you want to do this? Kathy Lomas and her son Charlie are the only people still alive from that time.
But they've always refused to speak to me.
But I'm hoping that with you here maybe To ask what? See if they'll shed some light on what's going on with George.
What really happened? When were you last here, Tommy? More than 40 years.
What the hell's going on here? I think that's Charlie Lomas.
Stay in the car, Sash.
Just pass me my camera.
Hello, Charlie.
My name is Catherine Heathcote.
You're not welcome here.
You've done enough damage.
What damage, Charlie? Think we don't know about George being in hospital, close to dying? - Get out before you get hurt.
- Who do you think you're threatening? - Who the hell are you? - Don't you recognise me, Charlie? Hello, Charlie.
Sit down, you're not going anywhere! - Tommy Clough.
- That's right.
Mum.
Where have you been? I've been about.
But now I'm back and I want to talk to you.
We've done too much talking.
Especially to her.
Mum! So get back in the car and go! I'm here to help George.
- Mum, let's go! - I'm here to help him.
Mum! Mum, let's go! Right.
Why don't you run a bath and then we'll get ourselves something to eat? OK? I'm sorry about today.
I'm sorry about everything, actually.
Which? Two different things.
Well, I'm sorry about everything.
And today.
I've taken you to places you shouldn't have gone.
And showed you things you shouldn't have seen.
And haven't taken you into account.
And I'm really sorry.
But I wish I'd got my camera out.
Why? Cos if I'd had my camera out they might not have attacked us.
My camera's my shield.
Lets me look without being seen.
I always saw you.
I don't think you ever saw me.
Sash.
I do now, darling.
When this is all over I'm going to take a long break.
You'll stop work? Wellyeah.
They've taken the film away from me anyway so So why are you still doing it? Because when I got out of the car .
.
I saw shutters open at the Manor House.
And anyway, the violence was telling me something.
What? They've got something to hide.
The story of Alison's disappearance transfixed the nation.
It made a hero of the policeman who solved the crime and it sent the supposed culprit Philip Hawkin to his death by hanging.
But sensational new evidence now throws the entire police investigation into doubt.
Did they hang an innocent man? - Tommy.
- Five minutes, all right? Settle down.
Settle yourself.
Mum, please.
Do this.
It's only a day.
In fact, half a day, really.
'I suppose I'll have to come by rail.
' Yeah.
I'll book your train ticket for you.
I'll have a taxi meet you at the station.
'OK, OK, if it's that important.
' Thanks.
'But please, not before eight.
' Thanks very much.
I'll um I'll call you later with the details.
- All right? Bye.
- 'All right.
' Tommy.
How was George? He didn't wake up.
I may have to go out in the morning for a short while.
Would you mind keeping an eye on Sasha for an hour or two? What are you up to, Catherine? I don't knowreally.
It's like an itch I can'tscratch.
Catherine.
Be careful.
Me and George used to come in here.
Sowhere's your mother gone to, then, Sasha? Just out for a couple of hours.
At least that's what her note said.
Did it say where she'd gone? Oh, come on, Sasha.
What's she up to? Mum said that she saw the shutters of the Manor House open yesterday.
I knew she was hiding something.
She's a piece of work.
She's not in trouble, is she? Well, if she is I'm sure she can handle it.
When's your gran coming? - Any minute now.
- Good, cos I - What's this? - Just some stuff I did when I was a kid.
- You did this? - That's what Gran said.
And who's CD? I don't know.
Mum's maiden name was Duggan.
Catherine Duggan? Shit.
What the hell are you doing here? Kathy? Kathy Lomas? I'm Catherine Heathcote.
- You remember me?! - Yes, I know who you are.
Charlie said you were here yesterday.
What do you want? I've got questions I need answers to, Kathy.
- Can I come in? - No, no, you can't.
The owner doesn't like visitors.
Say what you've got to say then go.
We need your help.
George Bennett is about to get torn to pieces.
If you have anything to tell me say it now.
What's it got to do with us? George Bennett had a good ride out of his success at Scardale.
He'll have to take the rough with the smooth.
- Even if it kills him? - You started this.
You didn't have to make this film.
George didn't have to be part of it.
You've only got yourselves to blame.
You go and you leave us in peace.
You won't be left in peace very long.
Well, then, we'll deal with it.
We've dealt with everything else.
Yes.
Thanks for talking to me.
I'm sorry George was taken ill.
Seemed like he was fine.
You've seen him? He was here.
He was here five days ago.
Wasn't he? Wasn't he? That's when he called me.
That's when he pulled out.
- Get out! - What did he find here? What did he find here? - Go away! - What have you done, Kathy? - All of you! What have you done?! - Get out! I'm coming in! Get out of the house! No, you can't come in! You're not allowed! Get out! Alison! I'll tell you what happened.
I'll say it only once.
My mother decided I had to leave - it was my only way out.
Ma Lomas planned it all.
Right 'She bled me.
' Brave girl.
Bled you? Me, my mother, Kathy.
We knew we needed a lot of blood.
Why so much? Anything less and the police might have thought I was still alive.
And And the gun? I stole it.
From Colonel Carey's house.
I worked there as a cleaner.
We all played our part.
Dan fired the bullet for the police to find in the mine.
And Ruth hid the gun in Hawkin's study.
Sothe police followed your trail? Yeah, I went to the woods with my dog Shep.
I tied him up and I walked out on my own life.
That was it.
I was driven away.
I never saw my mother again.
- Where did you go? - I went to my Aunt Nancy's.
She was about to move from Manchester to Canada and I went as their daughter Janis.
That's where Janis Crowther has been until now.
Why? Why do THIS to Hawkin? - Because he destroyed my life.
- Can you prove that? - The police proved it.
- They proved you were dead.
But here you are.
They hanged a man for killing you.
But here you are.
So YOU prove it.
Take a look at the photos.
They prove it.
I can't.
They're burned.
Was that part of your plan? That was Charlie.
When we heard you were making a film we were worried.
We thought they might go back, test the evidence.
DNA.
- So you WERE worried about the photos? - No.
No, they were real.
I remember every click of the camera.
Every flash.
I remember the weight of him, the smell of him.
Can you prove it? I mean, you've lied about everything else.
Can you prove it? Follow me.
But But this isn't proof.
THIS is.
Oh, God.
Oh, God.
Oh, God.
Who are they? The children of Scardale.
He had us all.
There was one girl we didn't know.
Catherine! He would have waited till Mum and I were out.
Catherine! Smile.
Catherine! Please! Pleaseplease.
Please.
Sorry.
Sorry.
Sorry, Tommy.
I justdidn't remember.
Just blanked it out.
And I've spent my whole life hiding behind a camera.
Do you think your mother knew? I don't know.
Maybe.
There's your proof.
The negatives are inside.
George Bennett didn't fake a thing.
No, he did worse.
We hung a man for a crime that he didn't commit.
He committed worse crimes.
Countless times.
Worse than murder? Why didn't you just say something to police or Social Services? If they'd said anything those kids would have been taken into care and their parents blamed.
Hawkin would have emptied the village! You have what you need.
Go away and leave us alone.
It is not as simple as that.
You conspired to commit murder.
What are we supposed to do with that knowledge, me and her? And what about George? I's an honorable man.
What's he gonna do when he finds out? He already has, hasn't he? It was an accident.
I just got here.
I was outside.
Excuse me.
He knew me instantly.
I couldn't speak.
I'd been so careful for so long.
And what did he do? He didn't say a word.
He just walked away.
You do what you gotta do, what you need to do.
I've been hiding all my life.
It's time to stop.
It's not just you, Alison.
What about us? Our kids and their kids? We all knew the risk.
Catherine he would never have stopped.
Never have been caught.
I feel just like Alison.
Walking out of my own life.
Maybe into a better one.
Sasha doesn't know, does she? I think she might have worked it out.
Unlike me.
Are you going to talk to George? I think that it would be better if you talked to him, eh? Thank you, Tommy.
I told you not to go digging! But I did.
Let's go home.
Catherine.
You said we couldn't meet in the office.
I thought I'd save you the embarrassment.
After all, I have been fired.
You gave me no choice.
Well, I'm giving you one now.
George Bennett didn't fake the Alison Carter photos.
Jesus.
Who are they? The children of Scardale.
You can have the negatives analysed, if you like.
We'll reinstate the film.
And if you want to include this new material you can.
What is this? Open it.
Her name is Catherine Duggan.
Who? It's me.
Catherine, I'm so sorry.
I have to ask where did you find these? From Alison Carter.
Sorry? From Alison Carter.
She's alive? You saw her? You actually spoke to her? Incredible! Can we talk to her? We've got to get her on film.
I think this story might be over, Keith.
Why are you giving me these if you want me to bury it? Whatever happened to Catherine Heathcote renownedseeker of the truth? Don't you think this might just be a case where truth and justice are not the same thing? This is going to have to be your choice, Keith.
I'm putting myselfall of us .
.
in your hands.
Cardiology.
Can I help you? Who am I speaking to, please?