‘With respect,’ Mason-Taylor replied, ‘you clearly have no understanding about motor racing. All cars go through a rigorous scrutineering before any competitive event. That includes weighing the vehicles. My job was to make cars as competitive as possible – but always within the rules.’

Realizing he was holding a losing ticket, Cork sat down. Brown rose again.

‘So, to your knowledge, Mr Mason-Taylor, none of the cars belonging to LH Classics were ever built or used for the purposes of importing drugs?’ she asked.

‘Absolutely no way, madam.’

‘No further questions,’ she said.

The QC was about to call her final defence witness, Barbara Gready, when her junior counsel whispered in her ear.

Brown turned to the judge. ‘I have a very urgent matter that I need to make you aware of, Your Honour, but without the jury present.’

Jupp addressed the jury. ‘Members of the jury, I must now ask you to leave the court while I speak to Ms Brown.’

After the jury left, Jupp instructed Brown to continue.

‘It has just been brought to my attention that my next witness, Barbara Gready, who is at the back of the court, has changed her mind about appearing as a defence witness, Your Honour. I need time to speak to her.’

Terence Gready looked shell-shocked.

His wife stepped forward and started shouting at him. She had tears streaming down her face and was sobbing uncontrollably. ‘You, you lying bastard, you’ve broken our family. How could I have been such a fool – you’ve lied to me, you’ve lied to your children, and I’ve been sitting there listening to you lying to the court. If you think I’m going to speak up for you, you are sadly mistaken.’

Gready looked ashen-faced. ‘Barbara! I’m not lying, they’re making it up. They’ve fitted me up, can’t you see that?’

‘It’s lies, Terence, it’s all lies. How did you think your little story could convince anyone – you can’t even convince me?’

Jupp raised his voice, sternly. ‘This is not the time or the place for this sort of behaviour to continue, this is a court of law. I’m now adjourning this court sitting for this issue to be resolved.’

Primrose Brown turned to Barbara Gready. ‘Let’s go outside where I can talk to you privately.’

‘Don’t waste your time. I’m through with this. He’s a loser, he deserves everything he gets. They can throw the book at him for all I care.’ She turned, still crying, and stormed out of the court.

Well aware that this could be grounds for appeal, the judge looked around sternly at those present in the court and up in the public gallery. ‘I am instructing all of you to disregard what you have just heard. If any of you mentions it in or outside of this court, you are in contempt and you will be dealt with severely.’