While we concede that his intention (and therefore the offence of premeditated murder) will be difficult to prove without EVANS himself making an admission, there is clear evidence of causing death by dangerous driving and further possible charges around his use of class A drugs, driving while unfit through drink or drugs, theft of vehicle, animal cruelty, criminal damage and other miscellaneous driving offences.

Death by Dangerous Driving now carries a maximum sentence of life. Witness accounts will be sufficient to prove this but these will need to be obtained by police in statement form to be submitted for court proceedings.

Kind regards …

Another black line. Another name omitted. It didn’t matter. Richard now needed both hands to keep him steady. His fingers bleached white with the strain. He took a moment until he could stand straight again. There were more pages. He turned to the next. This time it was laid out like an email. The sender and receiver’s details were all blacked out. Just the body of the email was left:

Just to confirm that in regards the MADDOX case, the police have confirmed that they will no longer be pursuing this matter. We have provided all our material but they feel the methods utilised to obtain this evidence would lead them to be disregarded at any court proceeding. They are concerned specifically that ‘torture’ was used by CA, as well as numerous breaches of data protection. I think ‘torture’ is a little strong but when the police approached the witnesses they refused to provide witness testimony and/or attend court.

Of note, the police do not contest that the information is correct and in fact confirm that they are able to corroborate much of the information provided – such as EVANS’S presence at a house party, his leaving with the named persons, and the theft of the vehicle taking place nearby and at the material time.

In a phone conversation, the investigating officer confirmed that he also believed EVANS to be the offender in light of the information provided, but without evidence, and taking into account EVANS’S status in the local area, it was deemed not in the public interest to pursue the matter in court.

Regards,

‘Not in the public interest.’ Richard could barely hear his own voice over the thumping in his chest. He turned the page to where he instantly recognised screenshots of text messages, exactly the same formatting as his own phone. It was a conversation that ran down the page. The first message was from Danny E.

Did anyone talk to you yet? About the car?

The reply was labelled ‘Tiny Tim’.

Nah, I told you they wouldn’t mate. I was at that party like 10 minutes when u dragged me out for adventures! Dont think any1 even saw me!

Danny E: What about your mate? He sweet?’

Tiny Tim: As a nut! He knows who u r. Hes got ur back, we both got ur back!