First broadcast 14th December 1988.
Featherstone's controversial remarks and ruling in a domestic violence case causes fallout from women's rights groups and concern from the Lord Chancellor.
Leo McKern ... Horace Rumpole
Marion Mathie ... Hilda Rumpole
Peter Bowles ... Guthrie Featherstone
Joanna Van Gyseghem ... Lady Marigold Featherstone
Peter Blythe ... Samuel Ballard Q.C.
Julian Curry ... Claude Erskine-Brown
Richard Murdoch ... Uncle Tom
Jonathan Coy ... Henry
Maureen Darbyshire ... Dianne
Martin Turner ... Hearthstoke
Abigail McKern ... Liz Probert
Denis Lill ... Mr. Bernard
Preston Lockwood ... Lord Chancellor
Peter Cartwright ... Keith
Peter Carlisle ... Wilfred Shadwell
Struan Rodger ... Detective Inspector Brush
Kate Buckley ... Lorraine Frinton
Di Langford ... Miss Sweeting
Phil Davis ... Tony Timson (as Philip Davis)
Cindy O'Callaghan ... April Timson
Asa Plant ... Vincent Timson
Doreen Ingleton ... Ruby Churchill
David Squire ... Peanuts Molloy
Jenny Bolt ... Chrissie
Louis Haslar ... Usher
Arthur Blake ... Court Clerk
John Levitt ... Radio Presenter (voice)
Cynthia Grenville ... Diary Reporter
John Mortimer ... Guest at Judge's Lunch
Featherstone's controversial remarks and ruling in a domestic violence case causes fallout from women's rights groups and concern from the Lord Chancellor.
Leo McKern ... Horace Rumpole
Marion Mathie ... Hilda Rumpole
Peter Bowles ... Guthrie Featherstone
Joanna Van Gyseghem ... Lady Marigold Featherstone
Peter Blythe ... Samuel Ballard Q.C.
Julian Curry ... Claude Erskine-Brown
Richard Murdoch ... Uncle Tom
Jonathan Coy ... Henry
Maureen Darbyshire ... Dianne
Martin Turner ... Hearthstoke
Abigail McKern ... Liz Probert
Denis Lill ... Mr. Bernard
Preston Lockwood ... Lord Chancellor
Peter Cartwright ... Keith
Peter Carlisle ... Wilfred Shadwell
Struan Rodger ... Detective Inspector Brush
Kate Buckley ... Lorraine Frinton
Di Langford ... Miss Sweeting
Phil Davis ... Tony Timson (as Philip Davis)
Cindy O'Callaghan ... April Timson
Asa Plant ... Vincent Timson
Doreen Ingleton ... Ruby Churchill
David Squire ... Peanuts Molloy
Jenny Bolt ... Chrissie
Louis Haslar ... Usher
Arthur Blake ... Court Clerk
John Levitt ... Radio Presenter (voice)
Cynthia Grenville ... Diary Reporter
John Mortimer ... Guest at Judge's Lunch
Category
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TVTranscript
00:00This story is called Rumpole and the Tap End, and it's founded on something that really did happen to me.
00:13I was defending a husband who'd either drowned or partially drowned his wife in an argument when they were having a bath together.
00:23And couples who have baths together can easily have quarrels because people can make very unpleasant references to other people's endowments in a bathroom.
00:36And I couldn't think of a way of defending this husband.
00:42We went down to see the judge and have a cup of coffee with him, and he said,
00:47How long is this terrible case going to last? And I said, Well, it is indeed a terrible case, my lord.
00:53A quarrel broke out and the husband was sitting at the tap end of the bath and the wife was at the other end and a quarrel arose and she got drowned or nearly drowned.
01:05And the judge said, What end of the bath do you say this man was sitting?
01:10And I said, Well, he was sitting at the tap end.
01:12And the judge said, You mean this man had to sit with his back against the taps?
01:17I said, Yes, his wife always wanted to do that so she could have her hair rinsed out by him.
01:23The judge said, Well, how long had this been going on?
01:26I said, Well, all throughout the marriage.
01:28He said, How long were they married?
01:29I said, 20 years.
01:31He said, For 20 years this merciless woman made her husband sit at the tap end of the bath?
01:37And I said, Yes, you know, you do hear terrible things down at the Old Bailey.
01:42And the prosecutor didn't really know what was going on.
01:45But finally we were bound over to keep the peace or something because this judge had never had to sit at the tap end of the bath.
01:54And I thought this story was too good not to be enshrined in a rumpole.
02:00And it is one of the Thimpson clan who is accused of murdering or partially murdering a lady in a bath.
02:08And the judge's appalling male chauvinist attitude to which end of the bath men and women ought to sit.
02:24Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
02:54Oh
03:24Pro will you play that?
03:29Hold on Tony son, you're not going anywhere in a hurry
03:35Attempted murder. What on earth have you been up to Tony tips?
03:38I will tell me please you've always led a quiet and respectable life as far as I can remember
03:44There's nothing more sensational in your criminal record than making freezer packs and video recorders
03:50April told me she was planning on wearing a skintight leatherette trousers with the revealing or an exacting top
03:55That's what she said. She was wearing. Mr. Rumpel somewhat tasteless outfit not entirely
03:59Oh couture that doesn't entice you to drown your wife
04:02We was both invited to a party around her friend Chris's and that was the outfit she was planning on wearing
04:07She says you pulled her legs and so she became submerged the price of the bath the very method and you hit on it
04:15With practically no legal experience
04:17What were you doing in the same bath anyway?
04:20I've always shared since she was caught in don't all married couples
04:24Thankfully, no, I can't speak for mr. Bernard. Yeah out of the question. I'm afraid my wife has a hip. Oh, I'm sorry
04:31Mr. Bernard, I'm really sorry. That's all right. Mr. Timpson. We're down for a replacement
04:35Yeah, April likes me to sit up the tapping so I can rinse her hair off after a shampoo
04:40Anyway, she find her in that much more comfortable. Ah, she makes you sit at the tap energy
04:44I never made no objection. Although you can get your back a bit school
04:47Didn't him tapsters dig in here sometimes so you were on friendly terms when you entered the water. Oh, yeah, she was all right
04:52Then yeah, it was both well affectionate, you know looking forward to the party
04:56Like she washed her hair as per usual and I rinsed it off for her
04:59And then she told me he was going to be at the party like
05:03Mr. Peter Malloy, mr. Rumpold. It's in the brief. Oh, yes when I haven't had time to uh to read your brief in depth
05:09Uh, mr. Bernard. I want to hear the story fresh from the client
05:12peanuts malloy
05:14miss
05:15Robert we have a defense
05:17Tony timpson's wife was taking him to a party which was attended by peanuts malloy. Does that make it? All right for him to drown?
05:24Huh?
05:26Uh, mrs. Liz probert who taking notes for me in this case
05:29Forget everything you've learned but remember that the timpson family and the clan malloy have been deadly rivals ever since
05:36Well, the south of london area was laid down to pasture and they were feuding over the division of stolen sheep
05:42It weren't just that mr. Rumpel. What else was it?
05:46Well, i'd rather not if you don't mind well, I do mind
05:50Humiliating to my pride what she said
05:53Oh for heaven's sake tony. Come on. Let's hear the worst
05:56Now when I said we weren't going like
05:58She made a comparison between me and peanuts. What sort of comparison between?
06:05Well, I can't there's ladies present. Oh tony look
06:08Miss liz probert has not only practiced in the criminal court, but in the family division
06:13She is active in support of gay and lesbian rights in her native islington
06:17She marches on occasion in support of abortion on demand. She even reads the woman's page in the guardian
06:24So you see you and I need to have no secrets from miss liz probert
06:29Now tell me about the comparison your wife made between you and peanuts malloy
06:33Comparison was made on the topic of virility
06:37I'm, sorry, miss
06:38That's quite all right what we need. I don't know whether you agree. Mr
06:42Rumpel is a predominance of men on the jury
06:45Under endowed males would condone the attempted murder of a woman. You mean? Oh, please miss probert
06:50Let's approach this problem in the spirit of detachment
06:52What we need is a sympathetic judge who doesn't want to waste time on a long case. We've got a fixed date for this
06:58Oh, it is attempted murder. Mr. Rumpel. So we're booked before mr. Justice featherstone
07:02Ah now, is this a long case sit down sit down
07:06I'm bidden to take tea in the neighborhood of victoria. Can you fellows guess where i'm?
07:11Sorry, judge. I give up the station buffet. Oh, isn't that you all over horace?
07:15You will have your little joke and not far off though
07:17Buck house
07:18Her majesty has invited me. Oh, no a correction commanded me to a royal garden party
07:24God save the queen and not only her majesty
07:26But more seriously one's lady wife will be extremely put out if one does not parade in gray top hat order
07:31Blaming it on his wife. So naturally one must be free by lunchtime. Mr
07:35Huffstock, is this a long case from the prosecution point of view?
07:39That's an extremely serious case judge attempted murder. We put it down for a week
07:44Oh week i'm astonished by what my learned friend half right says
07:48Well, have it your own way. Okay common sense. We can be through with this in half an hour thereby saving public time and money
07:55exactly as you know judge, it's an article of my religion that I never plead guilty, but
08:00Knowing all the facts i'd be prepared to uh, persuade timpson to put his hands up to uh,
08:06But common assault he'd agree to be bound over to keep the peace common assault binding over
08:11Hold on a minute. He tried to drown her judge
08:14He was seated at the tap end of the bath his wife lying back comfortably in the depths passed an extremely wounding remark
08:21About my client's virility. Do you mean to say that this woman?
08:25insisted that her
08:27Husband sat with his back squashed up against the tabs. Yes. She made him sit there so that he could rinse off her hair
08:34Mr. Half rug, I mean stoke
08:38Is this one of the facts that's agreed by the prosecution I can't say that it makes the slightest difference
08:42Oh, oh, you can't see
08:44Horace was this woman's conduct in any way typical of her attitude towards her husband. I'm afraid so judge entirely typical
08:51So what you're saying is that he uh, deeply resented the position in which he found himself
08:57What married man wouldn't judge and this natural resentment led to a purely domestic dispute such as might occur in the best of bathrooms
09:04And you're quite content to be bound over to keep the peace
09:07Well reluctantly, but I would accept that restriction on my client's liberty liberty to drown his wife
09:13Mr. Half
09:14Stoke my compliments to those instructing you but in my opinion
09:17It would be a gross waste of public funds if you were to continue with this charge of attempted murder
09:23Good well, I think we should be through by uh, half past eleven. Don't you time to get the moss brush?
09:29What was that? Horace?
09:31I said my client at the time was very cross boss a judge. Yes. Well, of course, I mean
09:37the tap head
09:38Well, i'll see you both in court
09:47Oh, no rumple you're a man they always go first don't they?
09:52Yes
09:54And that is all I have to say by way of mitigation my lord
10:02Am I lord? Yes. Oh, thank you. Mr. Rumpel
10:09Will the accused stand
10:14Timson
10:16I've heard about you and your wife's habit of taking a bath together
10:19It is not for the court to say whether communal bathing in times of peace
10:22When it is not in the national interest to save water as appropriate conduct in married life
10:29As a wise frenchman once said
10:32What throws a flood of light on this case?
10:34Is that you habitually sat at the tap end of the bath?
10:38It seems you had a great deal to put up with and your wife
10:41She it appears from the evidence washed her hair in the more placid waters of the other end
10:46I accept that this was purely a domestic dispute on the charge of common assault to which you have pleaded guilty
10:52You will be bound over to keep the peace and be of good behavior for a period of one year in the sum of 50 pounds
11:05If your lordship pleases, uh might mr. Timson be released from custody
11:10Please
11:14Miss
11:1650 pounds. Is that the price of a woman?
11:19It is not in the best traditions of the bar to bang your way out of court under any circumstances
11:24And when we've just had a famous victory, it's quite ridiculous
11:27Famous a victory for men man woman or child. It doesn't matter who the client is
11:31We did our best and won because he was a man. Why shouldn't he sit at the tap end?
11:36I'm going to do something about this miss prebott
11:40Where are you going to my branch of the woman's movement the protest has to be organized on a national level
11:45I'm, sorry rumpole the time for talking is over
11:49Oh my ears and whiskers poor old guthrie palestine
11:56The palace gardens were absolutely super I thought I knew these shoes were a mistake
12:02Flamingos were an excellent form
12:05One does appreciate the occasional royal invitation, I don't know why we didn't get within a hundred yards of the queen
12:13I spent at least half an hour talking to some extremely uninteresting little man. Oh, yes
12:17Who was he? He looked like an ambassador ambassador
12:21Person in charge of the royal train so far as I can make out
12:24And as for that one you thought was fergie
12:27Now there might just be
12:29A picture of arrivals at the palace. I think she'd come with the catering
12:34Oh
12:37What's in the paper guthrie nothing, uh, absolute nonsense, uh
12:40Nothing of any interest at all. I think i'll just go and get changed
12:43Why are you trying to hide that evening standard guide? I'm not trying to hide it
12:46I just thought i'd take it and read it in the bath and get it all soggy. No, let me have it
12:49Please guthrie. I told you this
12:52I want to see what's in the paper
12:58It's all completely inaccurate of course
13:01So
13:03Tap end judge's amazing decision
13:06Because 29 year old april timpson of bexley heath made her husband tony sit at the tap end
13:12The judge dismissed a charge of attempted murder against him
13:16Photographs not even like that. It seems you had a good deal to put up with 53 year old. Mr
13:21Justice featherston told timpson the 36 year old window cleaner
13:26This is male chauvinism gone mad said a spokesperson of the islington women's organization
13:32There will be protests up and down the country and questions asked in parliament
13:36No woman can sit safely in her bath while this judge continues on the bench
13:41Well, it's a travesty, you know
13:43These court reporters are like head over heels in guinness after lunch
13:46This must have been in the morning. We were at the palace after lunch
13:49That gives an entirely false impression and i'll i'll see that it's put right marigold
13:54I promise you i'll see that it's put right. I think you'd better gothry
14:02Hello, is that lady featherston speaking? Oh, this is the diary of the standard
14:08We're putting together a little feature arising out of the recent timpson trial and we just wondered
14:13Which end are you when you're sharing a bath with your husband?
14:19Oh gothry
14:22What have you done to us
14:27Who's that
14:44I suppose you think it's perfectly all right
14:47What is perfectly all right hilda drowning wives like puppies, I suppose you think that's perfectly acceptable
14:53Well, all I can say is rumple. You better not try anything like that with me
14:56Hilda the thought never crossed my mind
15:01Anyway, he didn't run
15:03Came nowhere near drowning her
15:06With simply a domestic tiff in a bathroom. Why should she have to sit at the tap end?
15:10Well, why indeed and uh, if she had and drowned him because of it I would have defended her with equal skill and success
15:18There you are. You see
15:20Absolutely, no prejudice when it comes to taking a brief. So you think that men and women are entirely equal
15:27Everyone is equal in the dock
15:30And in the home. Oh, well, naturally. Yes, of course. Yes, naturally
15:35Although I suppose there are some
15:38born to command
15:40She who must be what?
15:43I said trust me hilda. I shall always be a staunch supporter of women's rights. I'm glad to hear that
15:48I'm glad you're glad that means that you can do the weekly shop for us at safe ways
15:52Hilda, I'd really love that. That would be the most tremendous fun
15:57Unfortunately, I have to earn the boring stuff that pays for the weekly shop. I shall be at the service of my masters
16:03Yes husbands who try to drown their wives and vice versa
16:06They have late night shopping on thursdays
16:08So it won't cut into your work time at all. Only your drinking time at pomeroy's wine bar
16:13Besides which I shall be far too busy from now on to do any shopping
16:17Oh, really hilda what on earth you planning to do?
16:19Well, someone has to stand up for women's rights against the likes of you and gaffney feverston rumpel
16:26I shall read for the bar
16:28You
16:32Right, where'd you think you're going out we're out you mind your own business
16:40Vincent where'd you think you're going?
16:47That's two rum
16:49One avocado three raspberry crush and a champanella. Oh, yeah cream the cocoa and a three-star cognac
16:56While you're at it a large packet of salted peanuts, it's gonna be quite a party say that again, darling
17:04How's that wally of an husband of yours behaving quiet at the moment band over that judge was out of his head
17:26Justice
17:31Don't worry my lord, they can't get rid of you not without an act of parliament. Thank you wilfred. That's a great company
17:45Come
17:47Ah the learned shorthand writer you sent for me my lord. Yes. Yes, please please come in come in
17:55And uh, sit down miss, uh, miss frinton, my lord. Miss lorraine frint. Yes, of course
18:01Miss frinton. Yes indeed. Well, it's uh, it's about my judgment in rv timpson. I see you brought your book
18:08I've been living in dread of it. Oh, there's nothing to be nervous about i've been living in dread of someone pulling me up about
18:13my shorthand
18:14It's not my strongest suit quite honestly. No miss frinton, but you are a shorthand writer
18:21Yes
18:22Yes, of course you are now you're in no sort of trouble at all
18:27I'd just like you to turn to where I passed sentence
18:31And then uh, if you would read it out
18:34Timpson I have heard about no a little further on please
18:40Jackie
18:42a sorghum
18:44A wise frenchman
18:46I'm, sorry, my lord. I didn't quite get the name
18:50How are you spelling that never mind a little a little further on miss frinton
18:57Lorraine now i'm sure that you and I can come to some sort of arrangement
19:05About a full stop
19:09I've had drawn to my attention a copy of today's times in which i'm reporting the saying of timpson
19:14It seems you had a great deal to put up with and your wife
19:17She it appears from the evidence washed her hair in the more placid waters, etc, etc
19:21It is the full stop that has been misplaced
19:24Now i've checked this very carefully with a learned shorthand writer and she fully agrees with me. Yes. I see her nodding her head
19:31Yes, indeed
19:32my judgment in fact read
19:34It seems you had a great deal to put up with and your wife
19:38full stop
19:40What I intended to convey and I would like the press to make a note of this
19:45Was that both mr
19:46And mrs.
19:46Timpson had a great deal to put up with
19:49At opposite ends of the bath, of course six of one and half a dozen of the other. Is that clear?
19:54Clear as mud
19:55I certainly never said anything about being seated at the tap end of the bath being legal provocation for attempted murder
20:02I might have said
20:03That it was one of the facts that could have been brought to the jury's attention
20:08It might have thrown some light on this woman's attitude towards her husband, what's he trying to do
20:13Get himself out of hot water
20:15But in the event the attempted murder charge was dropped just did my arm to drop it
20:19So the entire tap end question is purely academic
20:23Timpson pleaded guilty to a charge of common assault and I sentenced accordingly. Do you agree? Mr. Rumpel?
20:28Oh, certainly my lord. You gave him a very stiff binding over have you anything to add? Mr. Hoth stoke?
20:34No, my lord
20:37Your timpson had better watch out from now on the inspector's ready to throw the book at him
20:43Well, Wilfred, I think my uh, I think my statement on the timpson case this morning successfully pulled our chestnuts out of the fire
20:49Do you my lord? Oh, yes put the newspaper straight for once made them eat their words
20:55um
20:57That uh learned shorthand writer has been such a help on this case. What's her name? Miss um flinton my love, of course
21:03Miss lorraine flinton
21:07Wilfred do you think would be appropriate for me to send miss flinton flowers? No, my lord send her flowers
21:13Aye, my good heavens. Yes
21:15God knows the judge's clerk has got little enough to do apart from sharpening pencils and going out for coffee spread your wings ring up
21:21into flora
21:22Send miss flinton 20 pounds worth
21:25Oh, no, make that 15 pounds worth of salted blues
21:29Better still send her a nice pot plant pot plant. My lord. Yes, of course when things go wrong at the old Bailey
21:34I'm the first complaint. So when a shorthand writer helps to sort out a judge's full stops he or in this case
21:41She deserves to be rewarded
21:44Now is there anything else I thought you might like to see today's evening standard my lord. Oh, yes. Yes. Um
21:51Just a glance at the headlines
21:56What's this bathtub judge says it again
22:00Putting a husband at the tap end may be a factor to excuse the attempted murder of a wife
22:05Did I say that wilfred the best of my recollection? My lord? Yes
22:12Yes, sir
22:15Yes, indeed, sir
22:17Oh, this is his clerk's meeting
22:19Who is it wilfred? It's the chancellor's office. My lord. The lord chancellor wishes to see you at your earliest convenience
22:30A bill through two houses of parliament, would they do it to me wilfred?
22:39Morning
22:40morning
22:42Where's henry? Oh, mr. Rumpole
22:45Oh, you do look my clerk in a moving sort as if you were dismayed too, right? I am dismayed
22:50I've just had mrs. Rumpole on the telephone, sir. Oh, she you must be want to speak with me. Does she no, mr
22:55Rumpole she wanted to speak with me. She said i'd be clerking for her in the fullness of time
23:00Henry, there is no immediate cause for concern
23:02She said as she was reading for the bar to make sure that women get a bit of justice in the future
23:07Only guthrie had kept quiet about the tap end in open court every time he opens his mouth he puts his foot in it
23:13Your missus coming into chambers honest. Don't worry uncle tom not in the foreseeable future
23:19My motto as a barrister's clerk, sir
23:21Is anything for a quiet life or my definition of a quiet life does not include clerking for mrs
23:26Hilda rumpole the whole sneaky mcfarlane in crown office row had a missus who came into his chambers
23:34She didn't come to practice. You understand she came to watch sneaky
23:38She used to sit in the corner of his room and knit during all his conferences
23:43It seems she was dead scared. He was going to get off with one of his female divorce petitioners
23:48Ha ha
23:50Mrs. Hilda rumpole has only just enrolled for a legal course in the open university
23:55She can't yet tell provocation from self-defense or define manslaughter
24:00And you know what?
24:02Mrs. Mcfarlane went off with the correspondent she'd met in one of these conferences
24:08Some awful dago apparently in black and white shoes
24:12Yes, so you see it doesn't do to have wives in chambers
24:18I meant to ask you have you seen my copy of ackerman's on the cause of death?
24:21I think mr. Ballard borrowed it, sir
24:23So how long do they take in these courses for the open university? Yes, henry. It's unlikely to happen in our lifetime
24:31Keith from the lord chancellor's office sounded you out about guthrie featherstone as the fellow who took over his chambers
24:37He thought I might have a view and did you have a view?
24:39No, I told him guthrie was a perfectly charming chap, of course
24:42Perfectly charming no doubt about that. But as a judge perhaps he lacks judgment
24:47Yes, which is a pretty important quality in a job. Exactly and perhaps there is some lack of gravitas
24:54The very word I used claude. Yes, there was a bit of a lack of gravitas in chambers, too
24:59I remember when guthrie took a shine to a
25:02Temporary typist so the upshot of it was just what was the upshot?
25:06I think we may be seeing a vacancy on the high court bench
25:09And old keith was kind enough to drop a rather interesting hint really
25:14He said they might be looking for a replacement from the same stables meaning these chambers in equity court
25:20How could it mean anything else?
25:22sam
25:24If you go on the bench, we should need another silk in chambers. I don't see how they could possibly refuse you
25:30There's no doubt guthrie will have to go. He makes such injudicious remarks. He was just like that at marlborough
25:36Did you tell old keith that I'll bet you did
25:39What on earth are you doing? I've just been listening to the grand conspiracy
25:44Well, you must admit featherston jay has made the most tremendous booboo in the official view
25:49He's been remarkably stupid guthrie is not stupid as a matter of fact
25:52He had a very good understanding of the case. He came to a wise decision
25:57I dare say his judgment might have been more elegantly phrased if he hadn't been to marlborough. Let me tell you something
26:03Right
26:05My wife hilda has just embarked on a law course in the open university
26:10She is a woman as I know to my cost of grit and determination
26:14And I expect to see her as the lord chief justice of england before you get your bottom within a mile of the high court bench
26:20You're entitled to your opinion, of course. Thank you, and you've got your fellow off
26:23Yes, all I know for certain is the lord chancellor has summoned guthrie featherston to appear before him
26:29Thank you
26:31Judge itis featherston goes with piles an occupational hazard of the judicial function judge itis lord chancellor symptoms
26:39pomposity and self-regard
26:40Shows itself by unnecessary interruptions during proceedings or giving utterance to private thoughts far far better left unspoken
26:48But I I did correct the press report with reference to the shorthand writer
26:51Oh, I read that far better to have left the thing alone. Never give the newspapers a second chance. That's my advice to you
26:58What's the cure for chuncho itis
27:00banishment to a golf club where the sufferer may bore the members to death with
27:05Recollections of his old triumphs on the western circuit. You mean a bill through two houses of parliament?
27:10Oh, that's quite unnecessary. I just get a judge in this room and say look here old fellow
27:15You've got it badly judge itis. The press is after your blood and quite frankly, you're a profound embarrassment to us all
27:22Go out to eat your old boy I say and improve your handicap
27:26I'll give it out that you're retiring early for reasons of health
27:29And then i'll make a speech defending the independence of the judiciary
27:33against scurrilous and unjustified attacks by the press
27:39I'm not very keen on golf. Why not take up croquet? I believe it's a top hole retirement game
27:46retirement
27:47Well, I I don't know how Marigold's going to take it. Well, perhaps it may be postponed in your case
27:53I've talked it over with Keith. Your right-hand man. Exactly
27:57You may have the opportunity sometime in the future to make your peace with the women of England Featherstone
28:02You may be able to put right what they regard as an injustice to one of their number. You mean
28:07My retirement's off. Or perhaps adjourn sine die
28:12Indefinitely. So glad you keep up with your Latin Featherstone. So many fellas don't
28:18Thank you, Lord Chancellor
28:26Ah Keith good to see you old man reprieve. Oh, yes, the Lord Chancellor couldn't have been more charming. Good night Guthrie
28:33um
28:35Mind how you go
28:38You
28:45Chrissie what do you want?
28:47I thought you ought to know Tony
28:49It's not right
28:51What's not right? You're April and Peanuts Molloy
28:54It's not right. Well, you're one to talk ain't you Chrissie?
28:57April was going around yours and meet Peanuts at a party
29:00He just keeps coming round to mine. I don't invite him. I've got no time for Peanuts myself quite honestly
29:07But him and your April
29:09They're going out on dates
29:10Dates? What do you mean dates? He takes her out partying
29:15They're meeting tonight around the offy 9 30 times. She told me I don't mind if you don't
29:20Just thought you ought to know
29:23Can I help you?
29:25No, thanks. No, i'm all right
29:37So
30:08What's the matter with you Tony can't you leave the women alone, sir
30:15Members of the jury in this case, I appear to prosecute and the accused timpson is represented by my learned friends
30:21Mr. Horace Rumpel and Miss Probert
30:31An attack with this dangerous weapon upon a weak and defenseless woman
30:37Did you say a woman? Mr. Halfstone? I'm afraid so my lord this man timpson attacked a woman
30:43My lord, that is something for the jury to decide. Thank you. Mr. Rumpel. I'm quite aware of that. All I can say is that
30:52Should the jury convict in this case? I take a very serious view of any sort of an attack
30:58Upon a woman they were barfing. It wouldn't matter. What was that? Mr. Rumpel? I said, uh, no laughing matter
31:05Certainly not
31:07Would you care to proceed? Mr. Hearthstone?
31:10I'm, not having old Rumpel twist me around his little finger in this case
31:14Very wise if I may say so my lord
31:17Later, we shall look at a plan of the premises
31:21Wormed his way into our chambers tried to turn us over to modern technology does his cases by computer with a microchip on his shoulder
31:29earned as I remember the temporary affection of
31:35Perhaps not such a temporary affection after all
31:39And turned out the lights then we say under cover of darkness timpson coshed the unfortunate woman. Mrs
31:45Ruby churchill whose evidence you will hear
31:49The accomplice escaped with most of the money from the till
31:52timpson happily for justice
31:55Slipped and struck his head on the corner of the counter
31:58He was found in a half-stun condition with the cosh and some of the money
32:03When arrested by detective inspector brush, he said you got me this time then
32:09You may think that a clear admission of guilt
32:28You bastard
32:31Before you saw him in your shop on the night of the attack, did you know my client? Mr. Tony timpson?
32:36Oh, yes, I knew him. He lives around the corner and you knew his wife april timpson
32:40Yes, I knew her too. You'd seen her in your shop with the husband sometimes with sometimes without
32:46Sometimes without now that's interesting. Mr. Rumpel. Do you have many more questions for this unfortunate lady? Just a few my lord
32:52Yes, please. Mrs. Churchill do sit down make yourself comfortable
32:57I'm sure that we all admire the plucky way in which you're giving your answers as a woman
33:03As a woman, did you know that my client tony timpson had been accused of trying to drown his wife in the bath my lord
33:09How could that possibly be relevant? I was about to ask the same question. I've got no idea what mr
33:14Rumpel's driving at I thought your lordship might recall the case. It got a lot of newspaper comment at the time
33:20Oh, did it really of course, uh in a busy life
33:23One can't be expected to to read every little paragraph that finds its way into the newspapers
33:27Oh, well this found its way slap across the front pages my lord. Did it really do you remember that?
33:32Mr. Halstead, I think I remember some rather ill-informed comment my lord. Ill-informed. Yes, as i'm i'm sure it was
33:40One has so many cases coming before one
33:43Perhaps your memory is a little better than his lordship's mrs. Churchill. You remember the case, don't you? Yes. Sorry
33:49Do you not object to this? Mr. Rumpel wishes to place his client's previous conviction for assault before the jury my lord
33:54Why should I object? Oh, yes indeed. Why should you?
33:57Right chap this hearthstoke
34:00Do you remember what you uh thought about it at the time? I thought mr. Timpson had got away with murder
34:06Hardly the answer that you wanted. I think on the contrary my lord. It is exactly the answer I wanted
34:12And having got away with it then
34:14Did you think that perhaps someone some avenging angel perhaps would want to frame him on this occasion my lord
34:20That is pure speculation. Yes, of course it is but it's speculation
34:23I would like to put into the minds of the jury at the earliest possible opportunity
34:30Miss Sweeting
34:37Miss Sweeting you say you found blood of mr.
34:39Timpson's group on the corner of the counter I did
34:42And from that you assumed that he had struck his head on the counter. Well, that was the natural assumption
34:47He had been stunned by hitting his head or by someone else hitting it
34:52But the detective inspector listen to me never mind what the detective inspector told you. Mr
34:56Rumpel is that the tone to adopt the witness is a woman
34:59The witness is a scientific officer my lord who purports to know something about bloodstains looking at the photograph of the bloodstains
35:06Might they not be splashes of blood which fell on the corner of the counter when the accused was struck on the head in
35:12that part of the shop
35:15Well, miss sweeting may we have an answer
35:18Or do you wish to exercise a woman's privilege and not make up your mind? Mr. Rumpel?
35:23I suppose they might have got there like that. Yes
35:25Yes, they are consistent with the accused having been struck on the head by an assailant with a weapon like this caution
35:33Yes
35:35Thank you
35:36Oh come kiss me pretty sweetie
35:39Miss
35:40Sweetie, you have also said that the bloodstains on the counter were consistent with timpson having
35:47Slipped while he was running from the shop and striking his head against it. Oh, yes
35:51They were consistent with that my lord very well
35:55And perhaps the
35:57Ladies of the jury would care to take a little light luncheon now
36:01The gentlemen too, of course back at five past two members of the jury
36:06Oh journey's end in lover's meeting
36:15Some points to raise on the shorthand notes, sorry rumpel no time to chat now
36:20Featherston's invited me to lunch with the judges. How interesting. He's invited me, too
36:35I thought i'd invite both counsel to break bread with me
36:38I just wanted to make sure that neither of you had anything to object to about the trial
36:42Oh, of course not judge. It's been a very pleasant morning
36:44made even more pleasant by the appearance of the shorthand writer the um
36:49Oh, yes, um pretty girl is she I haven't noticed hadn't you she said you've been extraordinarily kind
36:55Well one tries to treat all one's officials with courtesy lorraine so much appreciated that pot plant you sent him
37:01Pot plant something rather gorgeous. She told me with pink blooms
37:05Didn't she help you straighten out the shorthand note on the last timpson case?
37:09She corrected her mistake
37:12Her mistake wasn't I think she said it had been yours
37:18Perhaps we should sit down now
37:20Oh
37:20Hearthstoke. Yes, no need to mention that business of the pot plant around the bailey. Otherwise, they'll all be wanting money
37:27I can't go giving pink blossoms to everyone including rumpel. No, of course not judge. I do understand no need to mention it at all
37:33now
37:35now
37:36Now justice is going to be done to timpson
37:41I think you're seated at the far end hearthstoke next to the alderman. Yes, of course judge. See you in court
37:54Horace ah judge
37:56I just wanted to make sure that you and hearthstoke were quite content with the fairness of the proceedings
38:01What about you were you content with the fairness of the proceedings?
38:04Well, of course i'm the judge aren't I you sure?
38:07Who earths that remark supposed to mean haven't you asked yourself?
38:11Why you a high court judge a red judge has been given a paltry little robbery with violence
38:19Oh, don't stop boring
38:21Well, it's the luck of the draw. I imagine luck of the draw my eye
38:25I detect the subtle hand of old keith from the lord chancellor's office keith. Oh, yes
38:31Give guthrie that timpson thing he'd say
38:34Let him redeem himself by potting the fella sending him down for 10 years
38:38The women of england would give three loud cheers and featherstone would be the chancellor's blue-eyed boy
38:43Horace, I really don't think that uh, we should be discussing the case don't vote for it guthrie
38:48You can be better than that
38:49If you put your mind to it sum up according to the evidence and to hell with the lord chancellor's eyes
38:54Ha ha ha
38:59Young um
39:02Yes seems pretty able ruthless
39:05What absolutely ruthless stop at nothing to win a case nothing
39:10absolutely nothing
39:17Horace
39:19You've been practicing at the old bailey for a considerable number of years
39:23Ever since the dawn of time old love and you can see nothing wrong in a judge impressed with the work of a court official
39:29Shorthand writer for instance sending that official some small token of gratitude. Well, it depends what sort of token we're talking about. Oh
39:37It's not something like a a pot plant
39:39plant in a pot with pink
39:43Blossoms. Oh pink blossoms. That seems entirely appropriate
39:46You you see nothing improper in such a gift for us. Absolutely. Nothing improper at all
39:52Busy lizzy
39:54I think her name's lorraine
39:58Absolutely nothing wrong with that you reassure me horace you're you're you're a great comfort to me
40:09I think
40:12In the car after we'd arrested him simpson said
40:15You got me this time then you got me this time then yes
40:20Thank you very much detective inspector brush
40:23Inspector brush, do you know a near neighbor of the timpsons called peter?
40:28Better known as peanuts malloy. Uh, mr. P peter malloy is known to the police. Yes, sir
40:33Yes, he and his brother greg being the leading lights in the malloy firm rather violent criminals my lord. Is that right?
40:40Yes, my lord very well
40:43Have you known peter or peanuts and his brother greg to use weapons like this cosh in the course of crime?
40:49Oh, yes, possibly my lord. I really must object. Mr. Rumpole your client's own character
40:54He is a petty thief my lord. There is absolutely no violence in his record whatsoever. Isn't that right inspector?
41:00Not up to now my lord very well
41:03Did you think that tony timpson was guilty of the attempt to murder his wife? I thought so. Yes
41:09You were called rather quickly to that scene, weren't you?
41:11Almost as soon as the argument in the timpson bathroom began a neighbor called us
41:17Was that neighbor one of the malloy family
41:20Mr. Rumpole, I prefer not to answer that question. Oh very well
41:27But you uh, you think he got off lightly at his first trial
41:34I thought so. Yes
41:35What he actually said to you in the police car was I suppose you think you got me this time then no, he just said
41:43You got me this time then you left out the words
41:46I suppose you think because you didn't want him to get off lightly this time. Now would I do a thing like that, sir?
41:53Ah inspector that is something
41:56for the jury to decide
42:04It's a terrible dilemma marigold and i'm on the horns of it
42:07Oh, please don't bring your cases home for me to try. I'm absolutely fed up with it
42:12If timpson's acquitted those women will never leave me alone
42:16or the lord chancellor's office
42:18He suggested I took up croquet
42:20Well justice mcwhitty's wife met me in harrods. I was so terribly sorry for you marigold
42:25She said all you're going through with guthrie. She simply couldn't understand your attitude to women
42:30On the other hand, there's just a chance that timpson may be innocent
42:35The evidence of the bloodstains is not entirely clear. I shall have to point that out to the jury
42:40She asked if he made me carry the luggage
42:44What?
42:46She said there was this old judge who always made his wife carry the luggage walking behind him when he went on circuit
42:51That's the sort of reputation. You've got yourself guthrie
42:55They think you make me carry the luggage
42:58It was no justice. Well, you should know i'd tell you quite honestly guthrie
43:02I'm fed up with people coming up and feeling sorry for me in harrods
43:05There comes a time in a man's life marigold when a fellow doesn't know where his duty lies
43:10Your duty guthrie lies in keeping your nose clean
43:14My nose clean for the sake of your family
43:17And if this timpson has to go inside for a few years, well, i've no doubt he richly deserves it
43:22Nothing but decisions. I really don't know what else you expected when you became a judge
43:27Good morning students. This is first year criminal law on the open university
43:32I am richard snell grove law teacher at hygro polytechnic to help you on this issue
43:38Can a wife give evidence against her husband?
43:41This remains a highly controversial
43:44question
43:46What time does the open university open for many years a wife could not give evidence against her husband to see rv boucher
43:541952
43:55Now since the police criminal evidence act of 1984 a wife can be called to give such evidence
44:02You see rumple. You better watch out may she can't be compelled to
44:06She has been a competent witness for the defense of her husband since the criminal evidence act
44:111898 but a judgment in the house of lords suggests she's not compellable
44:17What's that mean rumple?
44:19Compellable a husband or wife was always a competent for example
44:23We could ask april tipson to give evidence for her husband, but we couldn't make her
44:28Made to do so whether a wife wanted to give evidence against her
44:48How useful i'll be to you rumple when I come to work in your chambers
44:52I'll wake you up did I?
44:54Oh, no, everything's up and about oh dearly open university's been open for hours. Look a thought has just crossed my mind
45:01Crossed my mind rumple
45:03And I was kind enough to hand it on to you
45:11Mrs. Timpson, we want you to come to court. You needn't have fetched me. I was coming anyway. Good
45:19Good
45:21Mrs. April timpson, did your husband tony ever try to drown you?
45:28No, he never then why did you suggest he did my lord? I object what possible relevance?
45:33Why did you suggest that he tried to murder you?
45:36Well, I was angry with him. I reckon do I understand that you made an entirely false accusation against your husband?
45:43Uh, yes
45:44But don't you don't you realize madam the suffering that that false accusation has
45:49Has brought to innocent people
45:51Such as you old cock. I didn't catch that. Mr. Rumpel such as the man in the dock my lord
45:57Oh and to other innocent
46:01Innocent people
46:02After your husband's trial, did you continue to see mr. Peanuts? Malloy? We went out together. Yes. Yes. Where did you meet?
46:09Uh, we met around the office in morrison avenue, and then we went out in his car
46:13Did you meet him at the off license on the night of this robbery?
46:18No, I never
46:19Oh
46:20But your husband says that your neighbor chrissy told him that you were to meet peanuts that night
46:24At the off license at nine o'clock and he went around there to try to put a stop to your affair
46:29Yeah, well chrissy was well in with peanuts by then wasn't she? I mean, I reckon he sent her. Why do you reckon he sent?
46:33My lord. Yes, mr. Huth stoke my lord. I must object what this witness thinks is entirely inadmissible
46:39May I have a word with my learned friend my lord, it might save time
46:44One more peep out of you. I'll lay a formal complaint on your conduct
46:49Trying to blackmail a learned judge in the matter of a pot plants into a certain short hand
46:54Right and not in the best traditions of the bar that hearthroke
47:01My lord, yes, mr. Huth stoke on second thoughts, I withdraw my objection
47:05So
47:08Why do you think peanuts wanted your husband round at the off license at nine o'clock that evening it's pretty obvious, isn't it?
47:14Well explain it to us
47:16Not to put him in the frame like make it look like tony done ruby up like to put him in the frame an innocent man
47:23Did peanut say anything to lead you to believe that he would do such a thing? Yes after the first trial
47:28After your husband was bound over. Yeah peanuts reckon that tony needed a bit justice
47:33Like he said he was going to see he got put inside. Of course peanuts didn't mind making a bit yourself
47:37Did he out of robbing the offy?
47:39Thank you
47:42One more thing
47:44Have you ever seen a weapon like that before
47:48I saw that one. I think I did. Oh, what about
47:51Peanuts car. That's where he kept it. Did your husband ever own anything like that? What tony? Yes, not him
47:59He wouldn't know what to do with it
48:03Thank you
48:05Members of the jury you heard the false accusation of attempted murder brought by mrs
48:09Timpson against her husband. Can you imagine members of the jury?
48:14The misery that poor man has been made to suffer devoted to ladies as he may be he has been called a heartless male chauvinist
48:22gentle and harmless by nature
48:24It is even thought that he may have connived in crimes of violence
48:28It may even have been suggested that he is the sort of fellow who would have made his wife carry the heavy luggage
48:34shunned in the streets hooted at from the pavements and his wife
48:38Whom he truly loves may even have been unwilling to enter a warm domestic bath with him
48:45Consider that man very carefully members of the jury
48:49And
48:53Then consider whether timpson may not also have been falsely accused of robbery and violence at his local office
49:01Justice must be done members of the jury
49:04We must do justice
49:06Even if it means that we do nothing else for the rest of our lives
49:10except compete in croquet competitions
49:19I suppose you're caught for hope because you won. We're not having Linda on our side again Hilda
49:25Oh Keith from the Lord Chancellor's office is looking extremely embarrassed
49:30Oh and a miraculous change came over Guthrie Featherstone. What?
49:34He suddenly found courage Hilda. That's something you can't do without when you concern yourself with justice. I've read it
49:41That April
49:43When lovely woman stoops to folly making it all up about being drowned in the bath
49:48Finds too late that men betray. What charm can soothe her melancholy?
49:54I'm not going to the bar to protect people like her Rampart can wash her guilt away
49:59She's put me to a great deal of trouble getting up at six o'clock every morning for the open university. What did you say Hilda?
50:06I'm not going to all that trouble
50:08Learning real property company law
50:11Eating dinners and buying a wig not for the likes of April Timpson. Oh Hilda
50:15Everyone in chambers will be bitterly disappointed. I'm very sorry. They'll just have to manage without me
50:20Besides I have better things to do
50:22Than to come home cock a hoop just because April Timpson changes her mind and decides to tell the truth. Yes, of course you have
50:29What sort of better things exactly? Well keeping you in order for one thing Rampart and seeing you do the washing up properly
50:34It's disgusting. What the washing up? No people having baths together
50:40They are married people. Well, I don't see that makes it any better
50:45Don't you ever ask me to do that Rumpo?
50:48Never Hilda. I promise faithfully
50:54To hear is to obey
50:57Bathtub judge proved right
51:00The wife of 36 year old window cleaner Tony Timpson admitted last night that he never tried to drown her
51:07The jury acquitted Timpson on the second trumped up charge
51:11Leader on page seven
51:15Now
51:19Now and again the british legal system produces
51:22A man of wisdom and integrity who refuses to yield to pressure groups such a one
51:28Is mr. Justice Featherston
51:30Pretty good stuff
51:34You know, they tell me that ian McQuitty isn't looking quite up to snuff
51:39There might be a vacancy in the court of appeal
51:42How does that sound Marigold?
51:45The right honorable
51:47Lord Justice Featherston
51:50Super Guthrie
51:52Would you care for the soup?
52:11So
52:41So
53:11You