‘Tony’s never been in trouble with the police before, so he’s unused to this kind of situation and probably not thinking straight. I’ve always known him to be a devoted husband and father, who’s never been unfaithful or aggressive.’

‘That’s debatable, considering the allegation against him and the state of the victim.’

‘I know your investigation is none of my business, but all I’d ask is that you speak to his friend Noel Harper, who is in the station foyer.’

‘I wasn’t made aware that Tony was with any friends, but I’ll speak to Mr Harper.’

‘Thanks for your time and I hope you don’t think I’m trying to interfere,’ she said, not wanting to push her luck.

‘For what it’s worth . . . I’d be standing where you are now if it was my brother-in-law who got nicked. I appreciate you being up front about your connection to Mr Harrison, and not trying to tell me the victim is mistaken or how to run my investigation. You do appreciate that whatever I may tell you is off the record?’

She realised he was prepared to listen to her.

‘As far as I’m concerned, we never spoke, and if anyone questions why I was here, you refused to tell me anything.’

‘Good, then we both know where we stand. What’s Mr Harper’s version of events?’ Boon picked up his pen and a piece of paper. ‘I just want to be sure that what Noel Harper told you matches with what he tells me.’

‘That’s understandable.’

She told him everything that Noel had said. Finishing up, Jane emphasised the fact that the woman had dragged Tony up the alleyway and only started screaming for help about a minute later, when the uniformed officers walked towards them.

Boon put down his pen, folded up the notes and put them in his trouser pocket.

‘I spoke to the victim, Laura Brooks, when she was first brought to the station. She was clearly distressed and emotional, and said she felt embarrassed talking to me. I got the WPC who was at the scene to take a statement from her, but I’ll come to that in a moment.’ He picked up the uniformed officer’s incident report book, which contained the details of Tony’s arrest.

‘The arresting officers were passing the alleyway when they noticed a couple kissing and touching each other’s genitals.’

‘Outside their clothing?’