Almost one year had crept by from the date Sarah thought she’d escaped the clutches of the beast.  But despite the time lapse, his influence had actually increased and it had been achieved with the full blessing of the state.  The road to freedom for Sarah and her children seemed longer than ever.  They remained firmly shackled, the brute being firmly in control. 

            What happened next was to confirm Sarah’s worst fears of collusion, corruption and cover-up at the very top of the British Police force.

            PC Collin Morris showed up at her front door behaving in the familiar ‘full of himself’ way that she’d witnessed all too often before.  He gushed:

            “Your children were seen injuring a horse, stealing from stables and doing damage in people’s gardens in the Lynas area last weekend.  Because of your kids the vet had to be called out and the horse needed twenty stitches in its leg.  It’s a very valuable horse too.  The owners are fuming.”

            Sarah recognised the bobby.  He’d once attended to one of her calls in the early days.  He had been sympathetic and friendly then. 

            “Hang on a minute; that’s impossible.  My kids are barely out of my sight.  You see they’ve been registered ‘at risk’ for some months now so I’m paranoid about keeping a close eye on them.  I’m partly worried that they might be snatched or attacked - we’ve had the most awful threats.  And I’m also worried that they’ll be set-up as it has happened before and I don’t trust the Authorities.  I go jogging along the prom but I always make sure that I can see them the whole time.  So are you saying that they’re supposed to have crept out of the house in the dead of night to inflict damage on a prize horse?  It doesn’t add up.”

            “Well I am aware that they are on the ‘at risk’ register.  I don’t know the details of the crime but it was definitely him,” PC Morris said, breaking off, pointing and looking daggers at David.

            “Ok, so what day exactly did this happen?  What time?  What was stolen?  How did the horse get a gashed leg?  Why didn’t the police question me at the time of occurrence, not the Wednesday of the following week?”

            “Like I said, I’m not hot on the details.”

            “Who told you to come and question me?  Did you speak to the owner of the horse?”

            “No, I believe a Mrs Culpitt phoned the police.  I’ve just been given a message to come and see you. Your children are well known in Lynas.  They’ve been swinging on swings in people’s gardens, letting pet rabbits out....”

            Sarah barged in, “So you were sent by a police colleague, and you didn’t speak to Mrs Culpitt?”

            “That’s correct.”

            “Did you see the injured horse?  Did any officer see it?”

            “I haven’t seen it.  I haven’t even been up to the stables.  I don’t know if any other officer has been there.  I presume someone has.”

            “It all sounds a bit fishy to me.”

            “Well you can pursue it if you want.  The Serg is in the office all day if you want to talk to him.  My job is to warn David.”

            “No, never mind your warnings.  You’re not an idiot any more than I am.  You must think this is a bit strange.  I know what this is all about.  This has got something to do with my ex-partner Greg Potter,” seethed Sarah.

The PC was far too quick for her liking to immediately jump in and spring to Greg’s defence:

            “No, absolutely not, it’s nothing to do with him; nothing at all.”

            “You’ve been told to tell me that.  Look I believe you’re telling me the truth, but something rotten is going on here - far above your head.  Let’s face it. You’re accusing my kids of an offence.  If David and Anna were guilty, I’d naturally be defending them.  So you should’ve come here fully informed, to show that you are in a position of authority, cos right now your behaviour is not very professional.”

            At this point PC Morris seemed to shake off his warrior standpoint and the conversation continued on an a more level pegging.  They blabbed on her doorstep for fifteen minutes or so as if they’d been friends for life.  He remarked that everyone in the police station knew about her circumstances and that he and his colleagues couldn’t understand why Greg was being allowed to get away with so much and for so long and why her kids had been registered.  He commented that it was always the good ones who get punished while the guilty go free and he joked that if anyone ended up in prison it would be her; never Greg. 

            She said her beef had never been with the beat bobbies and that if people wanted crime cleared off the streets then it was time for officers to turn on their masters. She then learned that even Collin Morris’ family had been targeted by social services heavy weights for some trivial, pathetic reason.  At first one child was labelled ‘At Risk’ for no other reason than social services ill will and malice.  Then, because the family kicked up over it, the rest of the children were categorized with the same sticker.  The truth being that there was no other reason than more of social services spitefulness.

Sarah made an impromptu visit to Mrs Dick Joy’s house.  Everyone knew Dick Joy and his wife.  He owned D J Developments and much of the land in Lynas; and his stables and fields backed onto Greg’s land.   There had to be a connection.

            “Hello, do you know a Mrs Culpitt?…. Does she work here?…. I believe there is a problem with a horse?” Sarah asked a rather taken aback Mrs Joy.

            “Yes, she works for me.  The horse was fed a feed that it shouldn’t have had and that little girl [pointing at Anna] was seen by my husband doing it.” 

Mrs Joy broke off and walked away, saying that she was going to fetch her husband.  Sarah, David and Anna stood at the closed door looking at each other, all deep in thought.  They all felt like detectives wondering what they were about to uncover.  They gazed around at their sumptuous surroundings.  It was a far cry from the run-down crime-ridden part of town that they inhabited.  Mrs Joy’s home was sheer luxury.  Through huge bay windows they could see the best of everything: plush velvety floral patterned carpets and matching drapes; a luxurious three-piece suite with matching recliner and foot stool; solid mahogany perfectly polished glass cabinets and ornamental tables.... Through an open window they could hear someone busily polishing and hoovering and every so often they caught a glimpse of a woman cleaning.  The phone rang every now and again.  After about ten minutes, Mrs Joy resurfaced.  Meanwhile Sarah’s tiny tape recorder whirred unobtrusively in the open bag by her feet….

            “Come back when my husband’s here.  I don’t think my husband saw David.  It was Mrs Culpitt who saw.... Mrs Culpitt isn’t here,” said a rattled Mrs Joy.

            Sarah questioned the identity of the woman who they had just seen and heard.  Was she Mrs Culpitt?

            Mrs Joy insisted, “There’s no-one here right now; no-one at all.”  Then she carried on about Sarah’s kids:

            “I saw them.... not then.... I saw them on Monday.  Wasn’t it you [looking at David] on the gate by the goat field?” 

            David shook his head and said “no.”

            Looking at Sarah, Mrs Joy said:

            “Well they are quite well known for being seen around here.”  When Sarah asked her to elaborate, she said:

            “Well, I can’t say.... You really need to see my husband and Mrs Culpitt.  Come on Saturday.  Is there a phone number?” 

They exchanged numbers.

            Mrs Joy continued, “That’s the best thing to do.... cos I can’t say for definite.”

            “Something odd is going on here,” said a straight-faced Sarah.  “You see my kids are barely out of my sight.  Since I left my ex I’ve had so much trouble with social services and with him stalking etc.  That’s why I’m so confident that my kids couldn’t possibly have been here.  This has got something to do with your neighbour, Gregory Potter.  There’s no doubt about that.”

            Mrs Joy was too quick to leap to his defence:

            “Nothing to do with him.... Nothing at all.... It’s other people....”

            “Who?” asked Sarah.

            “Well best thing is to see my husband.... There was a lot of trouble.... It’s not my horse....” said the flustered woman.

            “What trouble?” pressed Sarah.

            “Things were stolen.  A key has gone to the tack room.  A head collar has gone.  Um [pause] I don’t know.  Your kids fed the horses - feed that they shouldn’t have had.  I caught them.  I told them that they mustn’t feed the horses.  They can feed the goats; goats can eat anything....” babbled Mrs Joy.

            Sarah looked at her.  Her eyes urged Mrs Joy to tell her more.

            “Well the best thing.... As I say.... As far as I’m concerned.... I’m not a hundred percent sure but I’m pretty certain.... It was these two children I spoke to.  I think Monday.  Well I’m not a hundred percent certain but I’m very close to it.... It was that little girl that I spoke to.”

            Sarah asked her daughter if that was true.  Anna shook her head.  Sarah passed a comment that it was a shame that Mrs Joy had no proof, I e a photograph of her kids caught in the act.

            “First thing my husband said was it was that little girl that used to live there.  We wouldn’t say things unless we were pretty certain.  Mrs Culpitt has seen them as well.... They might have proof.... It’s not always convenient to just get a camera.  I can assure you though that this has nothing at all to do with Greg.  I’d like you to see my husband and Mrs Culpitt….”

Sarah’s dad listened to the tape and heard about PC Morris’ accusation.  He agreed it was suspicious and they decided it needed investigating.  Sarah’s dad phoned the police, briefly explained the incident and stressed that he felt Greg Potter must be behind it all.  Within minutes PC Palmtree turned up on Sarah’s doorstep.  [It was the same PC who told her that her kids had been spotted on CCTV in grave danger from the rough sea.]

             Sarah asked him if he knew PC Collin Morris.

            PC Palmtree replied, “Collin?  I haven’t seen him for a while.  He’s moving soon.”

            Bob Thomas told him that his grand children are accused of injuring a horse and of stealing from Dick Joy.  He said that his daughter has been harassed by her ex-partner and that Greg Potter is bound to be at the root of it and that he wants it looking into.

            Palmtree said, “I only know one Dick Joy.... When you say harassment.... Who is making the allegations?  Greg?”

            Bob explained that Greg must be behind this latest incident.  Sarah dived in demanding to know details of the police version of events.  She wanted to know when the police were called, if they visited the farm and stables, what was stolen....

            Palmtree said, “This was Wednesday?  Do you know the address?  You want to know if Dick called the police - and when?  It’ll take a while to sift through all that.... I’ll have to sift through Saturday to Wednesday.”

            Bob barked, “Given the seriousness of the crime it is hard to believe that David and Anna weren’t held there until the police arrived; considering the fact they were supposed to have been spotted in the act by two or three people.”

            Palmtree replied, “Maybe they’ll change their minds after I’ve spoken to them.”

            Sarah spewed, “We still need to get to the bottom of all this.  We want our questions answered.”

            Palmtree asked, “Does Greg have anything to do with this Dick?  I’ll have to go and speak to Greg, cos for me to sit down and sift through every single job in Caroline Bay from Saturday through ‘til Wednesday - it’ll take me three hours.”

            Sarah said, “Well according to PC Collin Morris, this is nothing to do with Greg....”

            Palmtree swiftly corrected himself, "No, but I need to locate where this Dick Joy lives.  I know where Greg lives.  I’ll try and find out when they reported it.  Are they saying they want compensation?”

            Bob said, “Look, just you find out for us the DETAILS such as: the date and time of the crime, who phoned the police, what was stolen.... Anyway horses don’t get bloody ill on grass.”

            Sarah interrupted, “Yes, we want the POLICE’S version.  We want the police details - in writing.  We want statements from the Dick Joy family too and we want you to tell us if police have seen the sick horse....”

            Palmtree babbled on, “We can’t say if a horse is ill.  Did Collin speak to Dick?  I’ll chat to Collin too.”

PC Palmtree went.  After about an hour, he returned and said:

            “Mrs Joy reckons she spoke to police.  She wants to see you Sunday.  Get your facts together.  She’s asking if you’ll take your daughter to make sure it is her....”

            Sarah replied, “Fine; no problem.  I still want the police details - in writing....”

            Palmtree looked peeved, “About what?  What do you want to know?  You find out off her tomorrow.  It’ll take me two or three hours to find that.... I will do it if you get the specific day.”

            Sarah mocked, “Don’t the police have computers?  Is any of this rubbish recorded?  Of course not.  Anyway what did Mrs Joy say?”

            “She’s just told me they’ve found some of the lost things.  Hay has been trampled on.  Mrs Joy said she didn’t want the kids there again,” said the PC.

            “No, I’m sure she doesn’t.  Right, while I’m visiting her again, I want you to make a start on finding the police details of this crime and I want you to jot it down for me....”

            Palmtree raised his voice, “I’m not going to do it.  I’m not going to check the computer from Saturday.... If you find the day.... I can do it then - It’ll only take half an hour.”  Sarah continued probing, “So what’s the story with the horse.  How did it get injured?”

            Palmtree explained, “The horse wasn’t poisoned; it was given a feed that it shouldn’t’ve have had.  It has had stiches.  It had colic.  It was running around....”

            Sarah said, “I’d like the DETAILS please.  What feed?  Why did it need stiches?”

            Palmtree mumbled, “It’s easier if you get a date.  There’s only a couple of us on.  She was off to pick up her daughter.  She said it was nothing to do with Greg. We’ll show you the incident if she has phoned us.  I’ll see if it was Collin who went to the farm.”

            Sarah slammed, “This is harassment - by Potter and by the Police.”

              Palmtree blurted, “Anyway the only thing that’s ever going to come out of this is suitable advice.  There’s no harassment because there’s only one incident.  It’s a civil matter; it’s definitely not criminal.  It might be on an incident with something else - it would be easier to find then.”

            Sarah ridiculed, “Well I’m sure the police don’t want anything to come out of it.  We shall see, won’t we?  Anyway it’s no wonder the police can’t fight criminals if they can’t even keep simple records.... And in any case if that family do now decide that it is a case of mistaken identity, I think I deserve a written apology from them after all this, considering the fact I’m having to make my own enquiries....”

            Palmtree enthused, “If he says that he’s sorry; that it isn’t your daughter, I’m sure he’ll give an apology.  It’s a civil matter anyway.  It’s definitely not a criminal matter. Mrs Culpitt saw the kids as well.  Kids have been climbing on the hay bales.  Don’t know if it’s David and Anna....”

            Sarah scoffed, “I can see that you are determined to have me believe that this is not a criminal matter and therefore the police are not culpable; well I can tell you that the police started all this, so it is a police matter and if this proves to be a put-up-job then it is a criminal matter and the police are answerable.”

On the Sunday, Sarah, David and Anna, Jason and Jessica, trooped up to the Dick Joy household.  Sarah’s faithful tape recorder was quietly working inconspicuously in her big bag.  She spotted Mrs Joy who was standing with another woman and two men by a fence - one was Dick Joy.

            “Hi, I’m Sarah,” she said, walking over to the group.  “I believe you have an injured horse....”

            Dick said, “It’s Dan’s horse.... [looking over at Dan] It’s getting better; over the worst....”

            Dan walked over, “The horse is better.  When she was fed on Sunday the vet was called; again on Monday - for antibiotics, and again on Thursday....”

            Mrs Culpitt came over to say “hi.”

            Sarah asked the four people about the theft of the horse items.

            Mrs Joy said, “The key to the tack room is missing.  Some things were found later on top of hay.  The head collar has gone....”

            Sarah asked if it was her children who had been responsible.

            Mrs Culpitt seemed unsure of what to say, then she mumbled, “I couldn’t say; it was Anna.”

            Dick Joy jumped in to help her out, “I told Anna to stop feeding the horses.  You [looking at Anna] were here best part of the day on Saturday - backwards and forwards.  There were two girls and your friend, wasn’t it?  I’ve never seen him - David.”

            Mrs Culpitt said, “Clive....”

            Sarah asked who Clive was.

            Culpitt continued, “Clive told us your kids were here on Sunday.”

            Dick Joy added, “They were here. [Looking at Anna] I spoke to you.  You were by the tack room door.  You were feeding the horses.  That’s all I know.  They came through this gate at one stage because I was coming down.  They had been up to the goats.  I was in and out most of Saturday. I didn’t see them Sunday, but Dan - you saw them on Sunday, didn’t you?”

            Dan said, “I saw them on Sunday; a gang of four; those two girls and another two.  She was here with two girls.  I asked, ‘Have you been feeding my pony?’  Anna said, ‘Oh yes, we have’.  The horse was colicy.  I took her out of the arena because she was colicy.  She was on her back kicking her belly.  Yes my mares get hurt; it happens.  She could have been killed.  I couldn’t live with it - if kids get hurt.   [Looking at Anna] Another two girls, wasn’t it?  On Sunday?”

            Sarah and her older children just looked at the four liars in amazement.  They said nothing; just listened.  Sarah discretely moved her bag a little closer to ensure that she’d get the clearest possible tape recording.  She was so shocked that they kept up such a crazy pretence.  She’d been so sure that they would have wriggled out of it all at the start of the meeting, by saying that it wasn’t her kids after all.

            Mrs Joy wasn’t letting up.  She glared and then shouted, “How come two people are saying they saw your kids?”

            Then Dan rambled on, “Gang of four.  I told them not to feed the horses. They said they weren’t. I said, ‘What is that feed on the floor then?’.”

            Dick Joy insisted, “They were in and out of the tack room.  I don’t know their names.  I saw you [looking at Anna] three or four times.  I don’t know the lad.  I’ve never seen the lad [looking at David.] I wouldn’t know his name.  I wouldn’t know her name....”

            Mrs Joy looked a little uneasy, “Well I thought it was them on the um....”

            Dick Joy continued, “I’ve never seen him.  It was the girls I saw on Saturday.”

            Sarah politely enquired as to what the police had said about the horse.  She asked if the police had come up to the house.  There was a long pause.  Everyone looked at each other uncomfortably.  Then Dan bravely spoke:

            “The vet was here.  Police didn’t come, no.”  Dan then went into deep thought.  Moments later he continued, “They went into the stables - the kids.  I took the horse into the arena.  She later went into pain…. ran into the stable…. hurt herself…. cut the top of her leg…. needed stiches.”

            Mrs Joy looked as if she was desperately trying to recall what had been said and in particular what she had said.  Then feeling a little more sure of herself, she said:

            “The head collar came back; not the key.”

            Mrs Culpitt looked a bit embarrassed.  She began to speak, then held herself in check for a moment or two before saying, “He rang me - police.  I couldn’t get hold of the police.  He rang me back…. Tuesday, I think.  Ye ....ss…. No…. Monday, I reported it.  Not 999…. Collin Morris anyway.  I couldn’t get through on Sunday to him.”

            Sarah was enjoying herself watching the four of them suffering and squirming.  She sweetly said, “What about compensation?  With it being such a valuable horse, it would be insured too; right?”

            Dick Joy stammered, “Yeh, but, but, but.... We’re not like that, are we?”

            Sarah was just about to make a remark when Mrs Joy cut in:

            “Will you shut up a minute and listen?”

            Dick Joy blabbed, “We don’t bother…. kids come here.  Last year kids threw two or three bags of feed in.  We nearly lost two bullocks.  No accusation - not your kids.  So we are clamping down on it.  Now then these two girls were here with Diane and another girl a week prior to that and they were doing something to the horses.  I didn’t tell them to go away because Diane comes here with her friend.  She was here with another girl; same as last Saturday.  And they were talking with Diane and her friend.  I didn’t say ‘please leave’ because I thought they were there for the horses.  That’s what we’re up against. If something happened we’re not going to call 999.  You don’t find out any theft until Monday morning, do you?  Sunday or Monday?”

            Mrs Joy piped up, “We didn’t know that the key was stolen and how ill the pony was at the time.”

            Dan walked up with the injured animal.  He pointed out the stiches and said, “Sunday I found out she needed stitches.  It’s a good job she didn’t lose any muscle....”

            Sarah pointed out that considering the fact her children had been coming and going all day Saturday, Sunday and on Monday, why weren’t they held there so that the police could see that they’d been caught red-handed.

            Mrs Joy looked a little shaken, then she said, “They saw them at different times.  They weren’t altogether.”  Looking to Dan for some reassurance, she continued, “You saw them on Sunday.”  Then she fixed her eyes on Mrs Culpitt and said, “And you saw them on Sunday too, didn’t you? - In the evening?  So why should you grab hold of them?”

            Dick Joy sprang to his wife’s defence, “You can’t just grab hold of them.  The point is I’ve spoken to the girl.  I’ve seen them feeding the horses.  That’s all there is to it.  It’s not worth talking about…. What’s the point phoning police?  They’d be here 8 times per day.  It’s your problem, not mine.”

            Mrs Joy went on the attack, “You should tell your kids to stay away; make sure they don’t come here again.  I just don’t want them here, near the goats or anywhere again.  You can forget them feeding the goats.”

            Sarah was keen to keep them talking.  Not wanting them to angrily shove her off their land she quickly thought up more questions and asked, matter-of-factly, “PC Palmtree hinted that there might have been a mistake with identity.  Perhaps there are two look-a-likes.  What if these two naughty look-a-likes return to do more damage?”

            Sarah was nearly blown off her feet by an angry Mrs Joy.  She bellowed, “Your daughter and son have been IDENTIFIED.  You can’t believe it’s YOUR children.  You THINK your kids were with you.  You don’t know.  Two people identified YOUR KIDS.”

            Sarah had to fight with herself to stifle her deep desire to burst into laughter.  She knew that if she grinned, her kids would too and then the whole cover would have blown and they would’ve been turfed off immediately.  She remained po-faced.

            Mrs Culpitt said defiantly, “I do know both your children.  I know them.”

            Dick Joy made his contribution, “I’ve never seen David.”

            Mrs Culpitt offered, “I tried on Sunday to phone PC Collin Morris.  I spoke to him because he is the community officer.  Last year, they [looking at David and Anna] were both in the stables.  You two have got to admit it, you were caught red-handed.  I caught you turning the hosepipe on.”

            It was getting more juicier by the minute.  The neck on this lot was beyond belief!   

            Dick Joy barged in with, “Let’s clarify a point - do we call police every time we see kids? - End of story.  NOW.  I don’t care what the police think.  I know your kids were here.  I’m absolutely positive.  I talked to them on Saturday.  I made no mistake - that girl was here on Saturday.  I’m not concerned about the police, love.  All I know is I’ve made no mistakes.  That girl was here on Saturday - End of story.  It’s no good even discussing it cos you’ll never agree.”   

            Dan put his twopence ha’penny in, “I don’t mind kids feeding my horses - with their parents.  But not when they wreck....”

            Mrs Joy added, “It causes damage....”

            Dan said, “I don’t mind, if they don’t hurt them.”

            Dick Joy blasted, “I’ve got no time arguing as to whether they were hurt.  We’re getting off the point.  She [pointing at Anna] was feeding the horse…. Saturday.  I told her to go.  I don’t know if she came back.  I couldn’t tell you.  I wasn’t here Sunday.”

            Sarah asked why the police were not called on Saturday.

            Mrs Culpitt said, “I couldn’t get through.... on Sunday.  I spoke to Collin on Monday.”

            Sarah asked who the vet was.

            Dan replied, “Cindy was here Sunday afternoon.  Cindy has horses here too.  The vet - from Abagog - came to see the horse.  There were two girls here Saturday afternoon.

            Mrs Joy got on the defensive again, “It’s not your business which vet.  As far as I’m concerned you have to make sure these children don’t come here again.  I’m very busy.  I haven’t got time.  They’ve just been identified by two people.  They’ve been seen here a lot.  If they are here again I’LL call police.”  Reaching a crescendo, Mrs Joy screamed, “Now GET OFF MY PROPERTY.”

            Beginning to make a move off Dick Joy’s land, Sarah spoke to Dan.  She asked if there was a police incident number.

            Dan answered civilly, “No incident number, no.  They must know themselves; that they’re guilty.”

            Dick Joy boomed all authoritatively at David and Anna, “I don’t know how you can stand there and look me in the eye and say you weren’t here.  I can tell you about Saturday and a week prior.  They were with Diane and that other girl.  They were talking there altogether.  She lives in one of those terraced houses there.  Couldn’t tell you her surname.... We’ve stopped them now.”

            As Sarah and her brood strolled up the path nattering with Dan, Mrs Joy jumped into her brand spanking new land cruiser and drove past in haste.  Sarah had a feeling that the woman was about to make her way around some of her neighbours to make sure that they all had the right story - just in case!   She smiled smugly and glanced at David who [she could tell] was thinking the same thing.  He grinned back.

            Unawares Dan chattered on about his pride and joy, “She won the pony of the year championship.  She’ll win next year too.  Eight thousand pounds I was offered for her.  I refused.  Next year she’ll be worth a lot more - with all the time and effort and care.  I would’ve lost it all if her muscle had been damaged.  It is the most valuable horse.  She is worth thirteen thousand pounds, fourteen thousand pounds easy, if not more.  Customers are waiting for foals.  I can get two and a half thousand pounds a foal.”

            Sarah commented, “Well I can see why you’re so angry.”

            Dan continued, “I’d have had to claim compensation if her muscle was damaged.  The insurance wouldn’t have paid out....”

Sarah spent that night listening to the tape over and over again.  She wrote out the transcript of it.  All four were clearly telling lies and tripping over themselves.  Obviously this did have something to do with Greg.  After all it was Greg’s stated objective to cause Sarah problems in every way he could.  His intention was to harass her, but more importantly his aim was to paint David and Anna as horrible little hooligans so that social services would decide eventually that Sarah is unfit to care for any of her children and to recommend that Jason and Jessica should go and live with him.  But it was a surprise to Sarah that a man of Dick Joy’s standing in society would be pally enough with her ex to go to such lengths in the plan.  Sarah had never been aware of such a friendship when she’d been on the scene.  She could not fathom it.  Ok, they were neighbours but Sarah had never once seen Greg even so much as waving to any of Dick’s family or his employees. 

            It was another set-up.  Sarah could understand why Greg would involve police of low rank, if he could get away with it, considering the fact he used to be a Special Constable [and possibly even have other police connections as he had boasted.]  But just how high this ‘little’ joke went in the police filled Sarah with some intrigue.  

            The next day Sarah showed the transcript to her father.  He began fuming and frothing at the mouth:

            “That bloody bastard Potter needs sorting.  He does seem to have some pretty powerful mates though, doesn’t he?  I’m going to get the bloody police to investigate this once and for all.  I’ll have a word with one of the inspectors - I know enough of them.  That idiot Palmtree is a bumbling buffoon.  We need to go higher than him.”

            “Well it’s obvious that the police are in on it.  If there was any truth in any of it, Palmtree would’ve found out the police’s version of it first.  He wouldn’t’ve said that he was going up to the Dick Joy household to supposedly ‘find out more’, and I shouldn’t’ve had to do my own investigations,” said Sarah sarcastically.

            “That’s exactly why we’re going to pursue this until we get to the bottom.  This has gone on long enough,” seethed Sarah’s dad.

            Needless to say, PC Palmtree wasn’t available to talk to her again and wasn’t in a hurry to phone her back either!  And PC Collin Morris [she was told] was conveniently on leave.

Within another couple of days Sarah was not surprised to find Meg and Daphne at her door again making an unscheduled visit.  Daph explained:

            “Greg has just been into our office to tell us that his neighbours are furious.  He said that David and Anna had been up at the stables near his house and that they’d been throwing saddles around and bales of hay two Sundays ago at about seven or eight pm.  He did say not to quote him on the exact time.  He told us that your kids had fed his neighbour’s prize horse; that it shouldn’t have had pellets; that it got colic and went berserk and lacerated its leg and that the vet was called.  He also said that your two had been seen in other neighbours’ gardens - letting out rabbits from their hutches and swinging on people’s swings.  He stressed that he couldn’t give names but that he understood that his neighbours had reported the incidents to the police....”

            Sarah busily scribbled down everything that Daph said, for her own future records.  Then she said:

            “I knew it wouldn’t take long for him to send you two to question me.  It really doesn’t surprise me anymore.  He couldn’t wait to tell you that my kids have been in trouble with the police again.  We’ve been stitched up again.  Look; read this.  You can see that Dick Joy and Co are lying their boots off - I recorded everything, secretly.”

            The social workers did indeed agree that the complainants were lying.  Daph and Meg were puzzled.  They said it was suspect, particularly as the police didn’t seem to be doing anything about David’s and Anna’s alleged persistent ‘naughty’ behaviour.  Both women suggested that Sarah should write to the police demanding an explanation.  Both stressed that she must insist that they respond in writing.

            Sarah informed them that she was already two steps ahead and that she and her father were due to meet with inspector Paul Hunter that very evening.

Sarah’s dad turned up at her house early for the meeting.  He informed her that he’d spent a long time on the phone with inspector Hunter, explaining to him the in-depth background to it all - Greg’s peccadilloing and his intentions to cause her problems for years to come.

            “Oh Good,” Sarah enthused, “so he’s going to come here and give us some answers then, is he? and not some more fudge and twaddle.”

            “Well he’s had some time to start the ball rolling,” enthused Bob Thomas.  “He knows the whole story.  He sounded pretty sympathetic and helpful too....”

            Sarah was not so trusting.  But only time would tell....       

            Inspector Hunter swanned in quite confidently.  He respectfully held his hand out to Sarah.  As she shook it, his gaze sent a cool chill down her - it was a searching, knowing sort of look.    Sarah shook off her cynical thoughts and began by asking him if she could have something in writing to say what had been stolen, what had happened to the horse....

            Hunter said, “We don’t take statements as a matter of course now.”

            “I’d like something on paper because the accusations are a bit wishy-washy and since I am up against a nutter who is hell bent on destroying me and getting my kids off me, I need to look into everything suspicious and have it documented - for my own benefit.”

            Hunter squirmed and dodged the issue.  “Police shouldn’t be dragged into this if it’s a civil matter.”

            Sarah asked him who had phoned the police to report her kids.

            “We can’t tell you who made the phone call,” he said evasively.

            Sarah bulldozed on, “PC Collin Morris did not take the call....”

            Hunter remarked, “Collin Morris has no responsibility in this area anymore.”

            “I need to get to the truth of this.  I want you to answer the questions....” Sarah said.

            Hunter dodged it, “We’re not here to.... We’re not in the process of investigating.... It’d take me five hours to go into it all.”

            “Well, that’s why you’re here, isn’t it?  You’re supposed to be finding out what’s going on....” blasted Bob.

            “I won’t tell you where the nature of the call came from.  Your kids have been accused of what?” blathered the inspector.

            “You’re supposed to be an inspector.  Aren’t you going to inspect?” queried a peeved Sarah.

            “There was no prosecution, no caution.... So that’s it,” said Hunter happily.

            “No; not so fast.  That’s not it.  Your job is to clarify this muddle.  We just want the details.  If the police are going to barge into my home and accuse my kids of some crime then they have a duty to tell me the DETAILS,” said Sarah assertively.

            Hunter rambled on, “If you had to do speculative searches - databases - didn’t know the date and who made the call, it could take quite a while to get the details up.”

            “Well according to your PC Morris, Culpitt made the call and she told me that it was made on the Monday which I informed the police of last Sunday.... And in any case causing a prize horse to receive such a nasty gash and stealing are pretty big offences.... Surely your records on such a matter would be easy to access?” pressed Sarah.

            Hapless Hunter said, “Is it?  If these were big offences, they wouldn’t’ve been

warned.  Feeding a horse is not a criminal offence, trespassing is not a criminal offence, and nothing was stolen.... If a crime had been reported it would be on the crime recorded system.  It does need some form of resolution.  It’s not necessarily a crime....”

            “So why did a police officer - PC Morris, turn up to accuse my kids of injuring a horse, stealing, being a nuisance in people’s gardens....”

            The discussion was going around in circles.  Sarah and her dad were never going to get any sense out of this joker.  He prattled on:

            “Who is saying they were there?  At the end of the day the interaction between a member of the public.... It may not be on the system - if the call has not gone through the control system.  If they phoned the police station direct and asked to speak to Collin Morris, he will not have created an incident such as this on it.  If Mrs Culpitt had called through central control room, it would be recorded.  Even so it would be recorded.”    

            Bob said, “You’re supposed to have answers for us, not wishy-washy babble. Greg Potter is behind this.  What are you going to do about him?  He’s been around here harassing, telling lies about my daughter to social services....”

            Sarah added, “The only person that I believe is not lying in this whole saga is PC Collin Morris....”

            Hunter responded, “That’s not.... What do you expect from me now?  You are happy that PC Morris is not lying.  Slander and lies are not police issues....”

            Sarah spat, “I want to get beyond the facade.  I want to know WHY Dick Joy and his allies made up such a nasty story concerning my kids.  I want to know why they told so many lies.  I want to know WHY.  And I want to know why PC Morris was sent to accuse my kids of a crime that it is blatantly obvious they didn’t do.  In fact there was never any crime.  Yes, the horse was injured but it was probably an accident to do with Dan or DJ himself.  They’ve obviously plotted to use it to frame my kids and it’s clear that Greg is in on it because he complained to social services on their behalf and he made it clear to social services that the police had been notified.... I also want to know why Palmtree was sent to continue the pretence.  And I want to know why YOU are being shifty....”

            Hunter bunged on a blank expression, then mumbled, “But you don’t know that Dick Joy has, do you?  You’re making links up.  I’m losing the link here.  Dick Joy’s story is the same one as the officer’s”

            Sarah sneered, “Well you’d like it to appear that way.... Obviously.”

            Bob commented, “Well actually the stories are not the same.  There is one big glaring difference - PC Morris said that he did not know Mrs Culpitt and had not spoken to her.  He said that a colleague had sent him and that a Mrs Culpitt had phoned the police.  Mrs Culpitt said that she reported the incident to PC Morris.”

            “And in any case, why would police visit me about a so-called crime against a horse when no officer had bothered to go up to the stables and see the injured horse?  And why did the police not confront me and my kids immediately?  And where is the INCIDENT NUMBER?  All police dealings have incident numbers.  They’re used to access the information on the computer!” blasted Sarah.

            Hunter fibbed, “I’ve got no qualms about finding out if your kids were warned about a crime they didn’t do and doing something about it.  I’d take issue if it happened to me.”

            Sarah demanded, “I want you to grill that family and their employees.  I want you to find out what is going on.  Unless you already know, of course....”

            Hunter got on his high horse, “I have no intention of finding out whose been fibbing. I won’t speak to Cooper.  I don’t have to investigate and I certainly won’t be putting anything in writing.  In terms of the police, we’ve done our bit - it’s not gone anywhere.  There’ve been no criminal charges.  It’s not going to go anywhere.”

            “No, of course it isn’t.  Why are you covering up for Gregory Potter?  Why do you let him get away with harassment?  Why do you help him?  Even social services acknowledge that he is a troublemaker....” barked Sarah.

            “Harassment can be pursued through your solicitor.  Don’t think harassment can continue; there are things that can be done.  If there is something sinister, social services should tell you....” blabbed the inspector.

            “Yes, well, I just come up against a wall of denials wherever I turn, when Greg’s name is mentioned....  Don’t I?” snapped Sarah.

            Hunter remained aloof.  There was another uneasy silence, then he said, “I don’t imagine we’re going to seek a resolution.  PC Morris has obviously had to get some more information; because he’s had a part of a story it would seem.  Sometimes you’re passed on flimsy information....”

            Bob butted in, “We want this looking into; we want it all to stop....”

            On his way out, Hunter muttered, “It has to be cleared up - either way.  Whether it’s a police matter....”

Sarah told her dad that it was a waste of time talking to that pretender.  He was obviously privy to the plan and was just making appearances and also taking the p....

             Bob told her not to jump to conclusions and to give the man a chance. 

            “Let’s see what he can dig up,” said Bob, forever the optimist.

            “Absolutely nowt.  Just more lies.  Just you watch,” grunted Sarah.

The following evening Sarah received a phone call from inspector Paul Hunter.  It was clear that he was too scared to meet with her face to face and, true to his word, he certainly wasn’t going to risk putting pen to paper! 

            He said that he’d spoken to PC Palmtree and that PC Palmtree had not long since phoned Mr and Mrs Dick Joy to make enquiries.  He said that PC Palmtree had found out that no items were stolen - that the misplaced things had been found under bales of hay that had been chucked around.  He said that there was no criminal action, that the horse had been given a feed of grass - nothing bad.  He said the horse had got colic, had run riot and had gone over a fence, which was probably barbed wire.  He said the horse had ended up with fifteen stitches. 

            Sarah pointed out that Palmtree should’ve been investigated himself and that Hunter should’ve visited Dick Joy and Co.  She stressed that the social workers had said that the ‘feed’ was pellets.  Hunter remained silent.  She then said that Dan had told her that the horse had been injured in its stable not that it had “gone over a fence…. ”  Still he said nothing.  She then asked him if a police officer had visited the stables at any point during the weekend in question.  He said that he didn’t know, that he assumed someone had been up there.  Sarah pointed out that Hunter was supposed to have done an investigation to which Hunter said that he’d spent a lot of time on it.  He repeated that he’d spoken to Palmtree.

            He made a point of telling her that the family want it all to stop now, that they are angry that the horse is injured and that they’d like someone to pay the vet’s bill.  He emphasized that the family are sure that it was David and Anna because “they know them.”

            Sarah made it clear that she wasn’t satisfied with Hunter’s ‘investigation’.  She

repeated the point that there were proven lies from the Dick Joy quarters and blatant police evasiveness and she again stated that it was necessary to get to the truth because she suspected Greg’s involvement.

            Sarah stressed the point that if the accusers were so sure that her kids were to blame, why weren’t they prosecuting, considering the fact the horse is supposedly a ‘prize’ one worth fourteen thousand pounds.  Inspector Hunter said he didn’t know and that he didn’t realise the horse was so valuable.

            She then said that it would be so simple for him to get to the truth - if he wanted to.... She then again remarked that it would seem he already knew.... She asked if he didn’t agree with her that it was all a bit of a fishy tale.  He was very quick to say, “No, they’re not lying.”              

Before he rung off, Sarah was surprised when the inspector said, “PC Palmtree says you’re not happy about an incident regarding a CCTV....”

            She told him the details.

Bob was satisfied with Hunter’s ‘findings’.  Sarah blasted:

            “Well, you’ve changed your tune.... Jesus you’re easily fooled.  Where’s all the anger and suspicion gone?  Hunter’s in on it.  This is bloody police corruption.  Greg’s behind it and his police pals are giving him the green light.  Christ, don’t tell me that you don’t believe this has anything to do with evil-features Gregory Potter....”

            “We can’t prove it.  We have to trust that the inspector has looked into it as best he can and has found nothing untoward.  Drop it now, eh?  Move on with your life.”

            “No, I won’t and no, I can’t.  You know, sometimes I think that you’re on their side, that you know more than you’re letting on and that you’re just humouring me too.  I’m going to see that Mrs Joy again.  Are you coming with me?”

            “I suppose so.  Then you’ll shut up about it, yes?  You know Greg’s going to be a pain in the bum - for years probably.... Pity you ever got involved with him.”

            “You’re missing the point.  This is not just about him anymore.  This is corruption.  They’re lying - the police - they’re all liars.”

            “You don’t know that.”

            “Yes I do.”

Sarah and her dad duly paid Mrs Joy another impromptu visit.  She answered the door.  She paled and then gushed:

            “It’s not me that you want to talk to.  It’s the people who saw them.  It’s no good coming to see me.”

            Sarah said politely, “But you said that you’d seen them too. You said you’d spoken to them....”

            Confused, Mrs Dick Joy rambled, “I thought I saw the little boy.  I thought I did.  I thought I spoke to David.  I thought it was him.  I wasn’t sure.  Speak to my husband.  He’s busy right now though....”

            “Look, I don’t mean to upset you and I’m not saying that you’re lying but I need to get to the truth.  A police inspector said that he’s made further enquiries.  He said that it was only grass that the horse had been fed....” said Sarah.

            “It wasn’t only grass.  Look, I haven’t seen the police....” said Mrs J.

            “Well apparently PC Palmtree has been investigating on the inspector’s orders.  Someone’s telling porkies....” said Sarah.

            “I haven’t seen the police since you came here….  No don’t call me a liar… I have not seen the police…. Well you’re upsetting me…. I’m busy - ring up if you want to see me.”

            “Can you just tell me....” began Sarah.

            By now Mrs Joy was clearly agitated.  She yelled, “Don’t let’s go through all this again.  Just ring me up if you want to make an appointment please.  I’ve had enough of you.  Please go away.”

            Mrs Dick Joy slammed the door shut and locked and bolted it in three places.

“What kind of investigation is it when an inspector doesn’t question his own police officers?  I’m going to find out if he questioned PC Morris.  I can safely bet my life on it that he hasn’t or any of the Dick Joy collaborators.  Some investigation!” Sarah sniffed.

            “Oh well, there’s nothing more you can do about it,” said a resigning Bob.

            “Oh yes I can.  I’m not letting this drop.  Bloody cover up, this is.  The police started all this.  They can at least afford me the dignity of finishing it.  I’m going to write to the Police Complaints Authority.  I’ll send them the tapes and transcripts.  The police can’t wriggle out of it then....”   

Sarah wrote again to her supportive MP giving details of the horsy story and the transcripts of her secret tape recordings.  She hoped he could order a public enquiry into the matter.  But this time, she didn’t even get an acknowledgement.  Was he just another fake?  Had he been in on it all along and was he just another pretender - pulling the wool over her eyes, and indeed the eyes of the public?

The reply from the PCA was that the matter would be forwarded to her area’s Chief Inspector for him to investigate.

            ‘Terrific!’ Sarah said to herself. Her complaint was being referred back to the very dubious police officers for them to investigate themselves!  There was no independent body overseeing police dealings.  It was glaringly evident that the police can and DO go about their business doing exactly whatever they please, totally unchecked and accountable to NO-ONE.  So much for the principles of democracy! 

            The letter from the Chief Inspector J Sparrow, said:

Dear Ms Hawthorne

I have made enquires regarding your complaint.  My findings are as follows:

1 The reported incident concerning the feeding of the horse is not a Police matter, should not have been reported to the Police and furthermore should not have been attended to by the Police.

2 In regard to this incident your children have been exonerated they having done nothing wrong.

3 I am perfectly satisfied that all the Police officers have acted correctly.

Finally Ms Hawthorne, I sincerely hope that you now have a clear understanding of the situation as there is nothing further we can assist you with in regard to this particular matter.

“Talk about conflicting statements,” blasted Sarah to her dad.  “My kids have done nothing wrong and yet all police officers have acted correctly!  Why couldn’t Hunter have told me that my kids were not guilty?  I didn’t even get so much as an apology either.  There is no explanation and look at the patronizing comment at the bottom.... This is as I expected - corruption and cover up at the highest levels.  The sheer arrogance of the Police is truly breathtaking and the sinister web of secrets and lies conceals a deadly truth known only to the perpetrator and the victim.”

            “Well, you’re never gonna prove corruption....” sighed Bob.

            “No, not yet.  But I’ll find a way one day,” vowed Sarah.

Sarah finally contacted PC Collin Morris.  As expected, he had not been questioned as part of Hunter’s ‘investigation’.  He’d never even met inspector Hunter or ever spoken to him - before or since the horse incident.  He didn’t know anything else to do with the incident but he felt it was all a bit suspect too.  He also told her that the belief amongst himself and his fellow beat bobbies was that Greg was a smarmy, lying bastard....

So that was the end of that then - For now!  Sarah wrote to two national newspapers hoping for some exposure but their reply was unhelpful.  They were sympathetic to her plight - both on a personal level and in connection with the controlling bodies but they weren’t willing to publish, preferring to hide behind the law which forbids publication of children where legal matters are in force.