‘You’re referring to Police Constable Don Cooper and Detective Constable Harry Jepson,’ she said, ‘both of whom you assaulted today, yes?’

‘If you say so.’

‘Well, I wasn’t witness to the incident involving PC Cooper, Leon, but I certainly was present when you clobbered DC Jepson into semi-unconsciousness. So, I do say so, yes.’

‘Old habits.’ Royton shrugged a third time; it seemed to be his preferred gesture. ‘Like I say, they both got into my face. I had to put them down.’

‘So, just to be clear,’ Lucy said, ‘you admit you assaulted both officers?’

‘Yeah, like I say. It’s all on me, this.’

So far, this was just as Lucy had predicted.

‘What about the two men you assaulted at O’Halloran’s?’ she asked him.

‘Yeah, that was a bit naughty too.’

‘Why don’t you tell me about it?’

‘We were having a game,’ Royton said simply, ‘and these two tearaways started giving us a bad time.’

‘We have witnesses who will strongly refute that, Leon,’ Lucy said. ‘In fact, we have at least two statements which will assert – as in the witnesses are absolutely sure! – that you and your two associates came into the snooker hall, made no effort whatsoever to start a game – even though there were plenty of tables free – and immediately started what’s been described as a “shouting argument” with George and Charlie Benton.’ She paused for effect. ‘But it didn’t remain an argument for long, did it, Leon?’

‘They were pushing their arses around.’

‘What do you mean by that?’ Banks asked him.

‘They were giving us grief. You’re right, there were other tables free, but we wanted that table, and they wouldn’t budge even though they’d just finished playing. Started getting in our faces, pissed up, shouting. How else was I supposed to react?’

Lucy observed him wryly. ‘Not a good day for you, today, was it, Leon? All six-foot-five of you. Everywhere you’ve been, someone’s got into your face.’

‘Yeah, but I shouldn’t have overreacted. I’ve already said that.’

‘You call it overreacting, Leon … but do you know how badly injured George and Charlie Benton actually are?’

He gave one of his customary shrugs.

‘You must have some notion. After clubbing them to the floor with snooker cues, you and your two mates punched and kicked them for so long that the snooker room attendant called 999 shortly after you’d started, and when PC Cooper got there, you were still doing it. So, we’re talking very severe injuries indeed: multiple broken bones, vital organs ruptured, massive internal bleeding. What’ve you got to say about that?’

Royton averted his eyes. ‘I agree. That happened. Went a bit OTT.’

‘Who were the other two men with you?’ Banks asked.

‘Can’t help you with that, I’m afraid.’

‘You went to play snooker with two guys you didn’t know?’ Lucy said.