Crown Court Season 1 Episodes

Episode 1

Lieberman v Savage: Part One

23 mins

Wealthy property developer Emmanuel Lieberman is trying to evict his former fiancée Delia Savage from an exclusive penthouse apartment overlooking London's Green Park. He claims that he merely allowed her to live in the apartment until they were married, but Ms Savage insists that Mr Lieberman gave her the property as an engagement gift. Mr Lieberman says the engagement was called off when he discovered his own son naked with Ms Savage when he returned home unexpectedly from a trip to San Francisco. Did he really give the apartment as a gift? Or is he simply trying to recover the prestigious property in order to sell it on at a huge profit?

Episode 1

Doctor's Neglect?: Episode One

23 mins

Mr Simpson was admitted to hospital following a car crash in Fulchester. He was examined by doctors and treated for minor injuries before being discharged. Moments later, Mr Simpson collapsed on the forecourt of the hospital and was rushed back inside for emergency brain surgery, from which he died. His widow Mrs Simpson is suing the hospital for neglect, claiming that the doctors who initially treated her husband missed the injury.

Episode 2

Lieberman v Savage: Part Two

23 mins

Former Met officer and private inquiry agent is questioned over his involvement in the investigation into an alleged infidelity concerning Mrs Delia Savage. She in turn is called to give evidence in her defence concerning any romantic involvement with the plaintiff Emmanuel Lieberman's son Mark Lieberman. Her evidence suggests that their relation was platonic and that his presence in her flat was merely coincidental.

Episode 3

Lieberman v Savage: Part Three

24 mins

Delia Savage's live-in maid Florence Ferguson is called to give evidence to give her account as to what occurred, if anything, between Delia and Mark on a particular evening. The defence states that events between the two were entirely innocent and coincidental, while the plaintiff's legal team attempt to cast doubt that events were not as innocent as the maid thinks. Mark Lieberman is called upon to explain his presence in the flat, and Emmanuel Lieberman's QC does his best to tear apart his evidence. The jury will decide who is the rightful owner of the property.

Episode 4

R v. Lord: Part One

21 mins

Helen Lord, a maths teacher at Fulchester's John Fordhurst secondary school, is accused of wounding a police officer with a chisel. The court will hear that Miss Lord went to Calderley police station to speak to Detective Bretherton about the contents of a letter which he had sent to the headmistress of the school, advising her that Miss Lord was not suitable to work with children. When she was denied access to Detective Bretherton, she 'went berserk' and attacked the desk sergeant. The decision of the headmistress to employ Miss Lord without checking references is also being brought into question.

Episode 5

R v. Lord: Part Two

24 mins

The defence lawyer Barry Deeley argues a matter of disclosure concerning a letter issued by the Chief Constable to the school's headmistress that the accused's conduct may be relevant to his client's state of mind at the time of the attack. Cross examination of the headmistress continues on whether the letter sent to the school by the police was instrumental in the dismissal of the maths teacher Helen Ford. Deeley calls other witnesses in defence of his client to prove that she was not competent at the time of the attack. The prosecution is determined to prove the contrary.

Episode 6

R v. Lord: Part Three

23 mins

On the last day of the trial an expert witness in Helen Lord's defence claims that she was in a state of 'automatism' during her attack and didn't know what she was doing. The letter from the police to her school claiming that she had abducted an eight year old boy from a previous school is admitted into evidence, and the defence argues the letter carries no weight as Miss Lord had never been convicted of such an offence. The judge rebukes the Superintendent Brotherton for his actions stating he had no right to interfere. Helen Lord is called to give evidence then the jury retires to consider their verdict.

Episode 7

R v Bryant: Part One

24 mins

Following an armed raid by four masked men on a Fulchester bank in which £30,000 was stolen, local villain Harry Bryant was identified as one of the robbers. In court, he decides to sack his defence team at the start of the trial and defend himself. He bases his defence on unreliable identification and on the fact that due to his criminal background, the police are determined to 'fit him up' for a crime that he did not commit.

Episode 8

R v Bryant: Part Two

24 mins

The accused, Harry Bryant, acting as his defence, intensively interrogates the arresting officer Inspector Collins to discredit his methods used to investigate and arrest him on what he claims are false charges and planted evidence. Although the prosecution tries to use Bryant's extensive criminal history, Bryant continues his attack on police methods using corroborating evidence given by Collins' assistant Sergeant Fisher.

Episode 9

R v Bryant: Part Three

25 mins

Harry Bryant decides to enter the witness box to give evidence in his defence. He is questioned by the prosecution where he is called on to explain his previous court appearances. He claims he is now a reformed character maintaining his innocence and claims that the police planted evidence to try and convict him of a crime he didn't commit. When questioned on how he maintains his lifestyle he states that his business interests are his sole income but the prosecution is determined to prove that the money obtained in the bank robbery funds his lavish living.

Episode 10

Euthanasia: Part One

24 mins

Lawrence Webb is in court after giving his cancer-stricken wife a fatal overdose of morphine. He claims that it was deliberate to stop her suffering, but is under suspicion of murder as the jury hears evidence regarding her death.

Episode 11

Euthanasia: Part Two

24 mins

Did Lawrence Webb murder his cancer-stricken wife Moira by giving her an overdose of morphine? Was the overdose taken accidentally? Was Moira Webb's death the result of a 'mercy killing' or an 'assisted suicide'? The jury will have to consider some emotive issues before reaching their verdict.

Episode 12

Euthanasia: Part Three

25 mins

Lawrence Webb faces an intense grilling from Jonathan Fry. Justice Waddington summarises events before the jury retire to make their decision.

Episode 13

R v Vennings & Vennings: Part One

23 mins

A father and son are charged with attempting to smuggle a huge amount of heroin into the country. The drugs were discovered during a search of the vessel on the River Thames after it arrived from France. The pair claim they knew nothing about the heroin on their boat.

Episode 14

R v Vennings & Vennings: Part Two

When Paul Vennings gives evidence he explains why the boat he and his girlfriend used was delayed in France and was left unattended a few times for repairs, during which time anyone could have planted the contraband. French assistant harbourmaster Hepel Gastard is called to corroborate Vennings' account of his stay in Cherbourg, in which the defence agent uses his evidence to back Vennings' claims. When Jenifer Harley is called to the witness box her evidence puts into doubt the veracity of Vennings' account of the events that took place during their trip.

Episode 15

R v Vennings & Vennings: Part Three

24 mins

Paul Vennings appears to have jumped bail after the second day of the trial, and the prosecution applies for a warrant for his arrest. Before doing so, the Judge recalls Vennings' parents and girlfriend as they may have some evidence material to his whereabouts. The father seems to think he has lost his nerve as has happened in previous occasions; Mrs. Vennings thinks he may be on drugs, and Jenifer admits she knew he was using marijuana in France and that was what forced them apart, leading to his disappearance. The judge decides to continue the trial 'in absentia' and instructs the jury accordingly. Will they find for or against the absent Vennings?

Episode 16

The Eleventh Commandment: Part One

24 mins

Two friends, Linda Mitchell and Rosemary Clayton, are accused of conspiring to shoplift a dress from Hombards Boutique in Fulchester. A store detective claims that Mitchell tried on four dresses in the changing rooms but emerged with only three. Ms Clayton, it is claimed, tried to cause a distraction when Mitchell was challenged about the missing dress by claiming that her purse had been stolen. The store detective claims to have seen the two women put the stolen dress into their car, hidden beneath a raincoat, before Clayton drove away. Mitchell was detained on the pavement outside the boutique. The women deny the charge.

Episode 17

The Eleventh Commandment: Part Two

24 mins

Mrs. Clayton's defence raises the possibility that she knew nothing about her lodger Linda Mitchell's shoplifting as she was busy with shop staff in her claim that she had lost her purse. The prosecution is adamant that she distracted the shop staff with claims that her purse had been stolen was a well-rehearsed diversion given that her previous employment was in a similar department store and knew that the ploy was an attempt to assist Mitchell. Linda Mitchell gives evidence in her defence, stating that the store detective was mistaken. The prosecution does its best to discredit Mitchell's lifestyle.

Episode 18

The Eleventh Commandment: Part Three

25 mins

The prosecution calls a surprise witness, a local charity shop worker who gave evidence that a dress exactly like the one allegedly stolen was handed in and it matched exactly the description given in a newspaper. She identified Mrs. Clayton as the person who donated the dress. The defence argues that Mrs. Clayton has previously shopped there and the witness could be mistaken. The defence agents for both of the accused give credible reasons why their clients are not guilty.

Episode 19

A Genial Man: Part One

22 mins

Mr Bolton, an eminent Fulchester Councillor, is accused of indecent assault. It is alleged that he fondled the breasts of his 18 year old secretary Gillian Heyes in his offices when she was called in to take down dictation from the Councillor. The court will hear that the incident was witnessed by another employee who had entered the office while the assault was taking place. Barry Deeley QC leads the defence. His team will suggest that Miss Heyes' family have held a grudge against the Councillor since an application to sub-let their property was rejected.

Episode 20

A Genial Man: Part Two

23 mins

Gillian Heys takes to the stand, but seems to be a very timid witness.

Episode 21

A Genial Man: Part Three

24 mins

Councillor Bolton takes to the stand, he's questioned by The Defence and Prosection alike. The Jury retire to make their decision.

Episode 22

Espionage: Part One

24 mins

Foreign Office employee Margaret Terson took top secret documents back to her home while she was dating East German businessman Hans Muller. The prosecution claim that Muller, a communist, was a spy. Miss Terson, who had been under police surveillance during her dalliance with Muller, is now accused of breaching the official secrets Act.

Episode 23

Espionage: Part Two

24 mins

Margaret Terson takes to the witness stand to explain her reasons for taking home secret documents and not informing the security department of her relationship with a person from East Germany.

Episode 24

Espionage: Part Three

24 mins

On the final day of the trial character witnesses testify on behalf of Margaret Terson, but will they be able to convince the jury?

Episode 25

Conspiracy: Part One

22 mins

A radical young journalist and his student girlfriend are accused of conspiring to cause an explosion which rocked the offices of a local company. The prosecution is based on two pieces of evidence found at the couple's flat during a raid - a pair of plimsolls containing fragments of glass matching the glass at the company's offices, and letters written by the couple suggesting that the premises should be attacked.

Episode 26

Conspiracy: Part Two

23 mins

On day two of the trial evidence heard in court suggests that journalist Trevor Luckhurst and his student girlfriend Jill Sawyer are known political activists. Will this news, if true, be advantageous to the prosecution if it can re-enforce the conspiracy theory against the pair.

Episode 27

Conspiracy: Part Three

25 mins

Defence counsel calls two alibi witnesses in favour of the accused, a young radical friend, Peter Thornhill, who kept a diary of that days events, and Brian Parker, a company director, who attended the flat where he confirmed the accused were there at that time. The prosecution does its best to discredit the witnesses' evidence. Could this save the young couple? The jury foreman delivers the verdict.

Episode 28

Queen v Starkie: Part One

24 mins

Art collector Walter Lander purchased an extremely valuable painting from British collector Alice Starkie. When he announced his purchase to the art world, another collector came forward to claim that he has had the original painting for several years, and that Lander's purchase must be a fake. Alice Starkie is charged with obtaining money by deception, but claims she sold the painting in good faith, believing it to be the original. Is she telling the truth?

Episode 29

Queen v Starkie: Part Two

23 mins

Art restorer Arthur Goodie stuns the court with the revelation that the Benedetto Trovato painting is no older than seven years old. Archivist Antonio Sforza accuses Alice Starkie of taking photographs of the Trovato to copy later.

Episode 30

Queen v Starkie: Part Three

23 mins

World renowned art expert Gustav De Montalk gives evidence for the defence that the painting held by the Duke de Saveron is a fake instead the one bought by Alice Starkie. The jury has to decide who is telling the truth.

Episode 31

Criminal Libel: Part One

24 mins

Roddy Maitland, the rising if temperamental star of British tennis, stormed off court during a Wimbledon semi-final. He then drove up to Fulchester to confront Dr. Holt-Matthews, the father of his pregnant girlfriend Gail. On being told that that her pregnancy was now over he attempted suicide in a hotel room by slashing his wrists. However it is Maitland who is now on trial for criminal libel after writing a letter in which the Prosecution allege he maliciously and falsely claimed the doctor to be "an abortionist" and "a murderer". The Defence case is that Dr. Holt-Matthews's callous attitude led him to such a conclusion and that there is no proof Gail had a genuine miscarriage.

Episode 32

Criminal Libel: Part Two

23 mins

Gail Holt-Matthews is in the witness box following the revelation that her father gave her an abortion against her will. Her mother admits that Rodney Maitland was threatening to expose her husband for forcing Gail to have an abortion.

Episode 33

Criminal Libel: Part Three

23 mins

Defendant Rodney Maitland is on the stand for a second day with the prosecution claiming that Gail Holt-Matthews' abortion was really an act of God. Maitland maintains that the doctor performed an illegal abortion on his daughter.

Episode 34

The Medium: Part One

25 mins

A spiritualist is accused of fraudulently obtaining money from a widow after performing a series of séances at which he claimed to be making contact with the woman's recently deceased son. The payments for the séances ranged from small cash gifts to a large house. The prosecution claim that the spiritualist took advantage of a vulnerable woman.

Episode 35

The Medium: Part Two

25 mins

The Medium: Regina v Purbeck - Part 2.

Episode 36

The Medium: Part Three

25 mins

The Medium: Regina v Purbeck - Part 3.