The day set aside for the depositions arrived and Willoughby breathed a sigh of relief when it dawned clear of rain. That would not have assisted the pepper shower.
There had been a Counsel of War with Gibbs, the military men and Sergeant Somers.
Willoughby repeated the military mantra that time spent in reconnaissance was seldom wasted. "We have found a hill on the route that they will certainly take to get here which gives a good view for a mile or two so we can sound the alarm and sow some caltrops."
Compton brought up something, which had been nagging at him.
"How the hell are we going to clear the Court before they get here and how do we explain it. The media will not be impressed."
Somers coughed and asked, "What’s the thing that gets a building cleared in double quick time without any argument?"
He had a satisfied look as he regarded their faces, "Fire!... when they hear that siren one of my lads breaks a fire alarm downstairs. If the bikers are coming from the east we herd everyone down the High Street to the west and hold them behind some barriers there. Our men will keep the crowd back and all have handcuffs if your tactics slow them down."
Gibbs broke in then, "I am going to have to tell the Magistrate, he is not likely to be very pleased."
Compton said mildly, "You might explain the consequences."
Willoughby was adamant, "Frenchy and Bridges are going to man the hoses and Ross will supervise the turning on. I have got one of your beefier types to turn the valve. We had some fun because to begin with we were trying to turn it the wrong way."
Compton was curious, "What are you going to do sir."
"Oh I am doing the pepper drop. I just hope I get it right."
Compton had a final thought, "The prisoners will play hell about going down to the cells if they think there is a fire."
Somers had thought of that. "Some of my best men will be round the dock and make sure that they are locked in. Then they will come out the back way to remove some barriers in the side entries which will have made sure they concentrate on the front door. They will help your lads with the hoses and see they come to no harm"
It all seemed to be following the normal course of a deposition hearing. The prisoners had all pleaded ‘Not Guilty’ and the police evidence was called first. The Clerk wrote in practised longhand and only asked them to slow down occasionally.
As Gibbs had predicted there were attempts to claim that Compton and Martin had not identified themselves as police officers and later that Martin had not had the knife in sight at all times. Bridgeman was not challenged too severely on his exhibits as they were introduced and the photographs were all entered together with his confirmation that some of the fingerprints were from the rape victim.
Thompson confirmed the finding of the underwear and the statements which had been taken. After lunch, Defence Counsel tried to shake Bisset on the custody of her records but she refused to lose her temper and answered the same question asked in various ways with the same answer.
The Press and the public section were all awaiting the evidence on the rape charges and Compton had noticed the huge Scot in his kilt who was sitting outside the court with Elizabeth McGregor. They were almost at the point of ending the day’s evidence and the Magistrate had asked rather testily if Defence Counsel had any further questions for the two officers who had been present at the Identification Parade when the faint wail of a siren was heard.
Almost immediately the bells of the Courthouse Fire Alarm started to ring. The prisoners were herded below despite their Counsel’s protests.
Brian Roberts had gathered his bikers the day before and told them what he wanted. "I’m only interested in Ted. We are going to wait until the late afternoon and then we go in fast. Straight through the front door and hammer down anyone that tries to stop us. Get Ted out of there and on to a pillion and then we beat it. Take whatever you like best. Chain…knife...I’m going to have a nice case opener. I hope those gits from the house that gave Ted trouble are there because I want them."
He was leading the bikes down the good road that led to Canonsfield and heard the siren start to wail. He pulled up and the others followed suit behind him.
"If that’s a warning we are going to crack it on. I think I saw that bloody bike and side car and we can catch them easy." He roared off with the others trying to keep up.
LeClerc was tittering away. "L’audace....toujours l’audace!"
He was sprinkling caltrops on the road down the hill because he had made sure that there was no other traffic between them and the bikers.
Roberts flew over the top of the hill and had little time to confirm the bike and sidecar in the distance when his bike came back down on the road and the front tire blew. He automatically grabbed the brakes but was going too fast and the bike fishtailed wildly before going into the ditch throwing him over the handlebars.
Several riders suffered the same fate although some were able to brake before a tire found one of the nails.
Roberts picked himself up and rubbed his aching head. He quickly saw the things which had ruined their tires. "Clear that lot off and then we will double up. Oh they are going to pay for this." His rage prevented the sensible conclusion that their raid might be expected.
The Court cleared quickly with the Magistrate setting a good example and exiting the front doors with his robe billowing and following police directions. No one was allowed to go to the east but they were all sent behind the barriers which were being set up well down the road.
Rossington took the side road which led behind the Courthouse and there was an eerie silence except for the Fire Alarm which was still ringing.
Roberts had requisitioned a bike and led the reduced number of bikes that came roaring down the High Street. He quickly got off and grasped his case opener. There was a smash of glass as he beat against the glass panels in the door when he found that they were locked. The rest of the bikers crowded behind him.
Willoughby scuttled to the back of the roof and looked down at the hydrant detachment. "O.K go ahead." He got back in time to find all the bikers dismounted and crowding the front door.
"Now sir...now!" Compton hissed under his breath as he watched from behind the barriers. The boxes bounced on the canopy and broke open showering pepper on the bikers beneath. There was coughing and sneezing and blundering about as they lost their sight to the effects of the biting powder.
Roberts heard the noise and turned to see most of his people reeling into each other. He was about to renew his attack on the doors when Bridges and LeClerc poked their heads around the corner of the building.
"Let her rip," was Rossington’s shouted instructions to the Constable who threw his weight on the large spanner which opened the valve. There was a small stream at first which turned into a fierce jet as the valve opened fully and the two men pulled the hose nozzles out into the road and held on for dear life as the pressure made them buck.
The jets swept over the pepper victims and found Roberts too. They were bowled over with the power of the water and there was little resistance then as the Constables pushed aside the barriers and began to handcuff them.
Somers had picked out Roberts and used his handcuffs on him. A deft push saw Roberts head making contact with the door of the van as he put him in.
The Magistrate was back on the Bench and the Court was full and buzzing with the events that most of them had witnessed first hand. The Magistrate called, "Mr Tyler...I am going to adjourn the hearing in a few moments. If you had intended to renew an application for bail or if any of you colleagues intended to do so there will be no bail until this hearing is concluded in view of the dastardly attempt to free the prisoners for that is the assumption that I have to make. Mr Gibbs."
Gibbs stood and said, "Your Worship."
"Please ensure that the authorities house these defendants in the most secure place that can be found. I would like to express my appreciation to the police and the public minded
citizens who dealt with this unforgiveable attempt to divert the course of Justice. This hearing is adjourned until tomorrow morning," and his gavel came down with a satisfied bang."
Tyler was sitting in the interview room of a secure Institution with Roberts in prison garb and shackles. "Tomorrow morning they will deal with the rape charges. As your Counsel I must tell you that the evidence which will be produced will mean that there will be no prospect of avoiding a finding of ‘Guilty.’ Not only that but whatever sentence is handed down on that particular charge will probably be the maximum allowed by law if you make your victim testify."
"So what are you saying? " was Roberts response, "let the bitch off?"
Tyler was an experienced Counsel and very seldom lost his temper. "If you do insist on making her testify I will have to withdraw as your Counsel."
Roberts considered that, "So if I cop to it you will do your best to get me off the murder?"
"I will certainly do my best."
The Counsel representing Conley had offered similar advice and Tyler rose at the beginning of the hearing to claim the Magistrate’s attention.
"Your Worship, the defendants Roberts and Conley wish to change their plea to Guilty in respect to the charge of rape."
"Thank you Mr Tyler the Court appreciates your assistance in this regard and so I am sure does the unfortunate victim."
A short while later after hearing a summary from Gibbs and the arguments put forward by Tyler and one of the other lawyers the Magistrate recessed for a few minutes and when he returned to the Bench he asked the Clerk to have the defendants stand.
The charges against two of the accused who are not charged with the more serious offences, stem from a Post Office break in and are in the form of a conspiracy which I do not find has been proved. The same can be said to apply to the attempted break in and firearm discharge at Ivy’s in their case. Charges of conspiracy always require a greater standard of proof. Those charges will be dismissed and shortly the Clerk will read a release."
Seeing the smiles on those two faces he went on, "The burden of proof is always paramount and even where strong suspicion exists, if there is the benefit of doubt it goes to the accused."
Then fixing them with a hard look over his glasses he added, "Don’t appear in my Court again in similar circumstances."
One of the reporters whispered to his neighbour, "In other words think yourself lucky."
The Magistrate then went on, "I find that there is sufficient evidence to send the charge of murder to the Assizes against Roberts and in view of the seriousness of the remaining charges including the Guilty plea, the remaining charges against Roberts and Conley, murder, the serious assault, Post Office break in and the attempted break in can be dealt with there.
The attempted break and enter and discharging a firearm will be adjourned Sine Die."
The Court did not clear after the two remaining prisoners were led below and they looked forward to seeing yesterday’s bikers brought in to face a steamed up Magistrate.
McGregor was waiting for Compton. "We would like to thank you sergeant for making sure I did not have to go through that in Court."
Compton looked meaningfully at the big Scot. "Oh Ewen knows. I had to tell him but I think he understands."
McIntosh stood up, "Aye any scum like that should be hung." He put his arm protectively around McGregor.
"I think it is really their lawyer that you should thank but I will do that for you if you like." When he saw Tyler in the corridor Compton said, "That was a nice thing you did sir."
Tyler acknowledged his comment with a nod. "It won’t get you and better treatment at the trial."