‘No, Tony had his penis out and his hand was up the woman’s skirt. Her bra was up over her breasts and he was touching them with his other hand. As the officers approached, the PC shouted out that they were committing a public indecency offence. Brooks looked at them and started shouting out for help and pushing Tony away. She told the officers she was walking through the alleyway when she was grabbed from behind by Tony, who ripped her blouse and sexually assaulted her. She also said she was paralysed with fear until she saw the police officers and thought she would have been raped if they hadn’t come along.’

‘Was her blouse torn?’ Jane asked.

‘Yes, at the top, and one button was missing, which was recovered in the alleyway.’

‘Did the police doctor find any scratches or bruising on her consistent with an indecent assault?’

‘No, and he also did an inner thigh and vaginal examination.’

‘So, he found no evidence to support she was sexually assaulted?’

‘Correct. He also thought she’d had more to drink than she said she had, though that doesn’t mean she wasn’t assaulted. In her statement Brooks said she didn’t struggle as she feared being raped and beaten. She admits masturbating Tony, but only because he got his penis out and forced her to.’

‘Did she say anything about meeting him in the ballroom, then kissing and rubbing against him while they were dancing?’

‘She says he came on to her and touched her backside and she slapped him, and he must have been angry and followed her up the alleyway to attack her.’

‘Was she with anyone who can corroborate her version of events?’

‘She said her friend felt ill and had gone home, so she was alone in the nightclub.’

‘How convenient. Tony was with a group of lads on a stag night. If what Noel Harper told me is the truth, they can corroborate his version of events.’

‘If they’re willing to make a statement I’ll ensure the early turn CID speak to them.’

‘What did the WPC who took the statement make of Brooks?’

‘She was present when the FME examined her, and after taking the statement she said that although she couldn’t prove Brooks was lying, she wasn’t convinced her story was entirely true.’

‘Why lie like that and accuse an innocent man of something he didn’t do?’

‘The WPC has a theory on that.’

‘Which was?’

‘She was frightened she’d be arrested for indecency in a public place and her husband would find out.’

Jane was surprised. ‘She’s married as well . . . Tony’s more stupid than I thought.’