‘No, she was half-cut when we got there and wouldn’t leave Tony alone. I think he thought she might piss off if he bought her a drink, but she kept holding him by the arm and kissing his neck.’

‘And did he reciprocate?’

Noel sighed. ‘Not at first, but when the slow music came on she dragged him back onto the dance floor. They stayed on the floor for a few songs and she was rubbing her body against his and they kissed.’

‘Did he touch her sexually or anything like that while they were dancing?’

Noel nodded. ‘He had his hands on her backside, but that was all. When they finished dancing, she went to the toilet and he came back to the bar.’

‘Did he say anything about her?’

‘No, but one of the lads said she was a slapper and Tony said he was just having a bit of fun and wasn’t interested in her. I noticed he had make-up on his shirt collar and said Pam would kill him if she saw it. He went to the toilet to clean it off and the girl came back. She asked where Tony was and I said he’d gone home. She looked upset and stormed off.’

‘Do you know her name?’

‘No.’

‘What happened when Tony came back from the toilet?’

‘It was late and I didn’t want to miss the last Tube home, and Tony was staying with me so I said we needed to go. He finished his pint, then as we left the girl he’d danced with suddenly appeared. She grabbed his hand and dragged him off down the alleyway at the side of the ballroom.’

‘And I take it he didn’t resist?’

‘No, but he must have thought it was funny as he was laughing. I didn’t go down the alley as I thought he’d come straight out. About a minute later a policeman and policewoman were passing. They stopped and looked up the alley and must have seen them. They went into the alley and the next thing I heard was a woman’s voice screaming, “Help me, help me!” I looked to see what was happening and the policeman had Tony pushed up against the wall and was putting handcuffs on him. He looked like he was in a state of shock when the policeman brought him out. I asked why he was being arrested and the officer said for indecent assault. I couldn’t believe it. I tried to tell the policeman she was lying but he told me to shut up or he’d arrest me for obstruction.’

‘Did you see the woman again?’

‘When the policewoman helped her out of the alleyway, she was crying, but I couldn’t see any tears. I looked her in the eye, and she turned away – it was obvious she was lying.’