Page 221 - Once a copper 10 03 2020

How I focused on the drive back to Erdington I’ll never know. As soon as I
walked back in the office, the back-slapping and congratulations I got told
me I had been the best kept secret and I was the las one to know.

I did make a point of walking over the bridge to DCI Heatley’s office to thank
him for his obvious part in my joy. This was Friday 1 August and on paper I
st
was still a PC. My DC appointment was to take effect from Monday 4
th
August. The DCI told me to go and celebrate with the team, as I would be
expected to buy the beer, then to get myself home to share the good news
with my wife. She was at work, so that afternoon was spent rejoicing.

Cliff Wesley gave me wry smile and asked if I’d had good news. I remember
saying something along the lines of ‘yes thanks you sneaky fucker!’ We had a
good laugh and looked forward to the days ahead.

DC Bennett

From here on in, I was to be involved in more serious crimes in addition to our
now routine stuff of burglaries, assaults, petty thefts, fraud and nicked motors.

The first example came our way on a late shift early in September. A female
officer was taking details of a serious rape from a young woman at the
station. Cliff and I were on late turn (2x10) and knowing this would totally
occupy the night duty DC, we offered to conduct the investigation.

The young woman had been out drinking with friends in a pub on Erdington
High Street. The girls met two blokes who chatted to them and bought them
drinks. Within a few minutes the girl complained of feeling woozy and totally
‘out-of-it’ even though she had only consumed one glass of wine.
Complaining of feeling ill, the men offered to get the girl home safely. They
left the pub and took her to their car but instead of driving her home, took
her to a house in Orphanage Road. The girl vaguely remembered protesting
but felt no strength in her body or the mental capacity to resist as the two
men dragged her into the house. It was apparent she had been
administered a date-rape drug to incapacitate her.

What followed was a horrific experience for the girl as the men forced her
into the house and pulled her clothing up, repeatedly raping her.
After concluding the interview and prior to the essential post ordeal
examination, the victim went with the female officer to Orphanage Road,
where she was able to point out the house where the rape had occurred.

Armed with that address, Cliff and I drove to the house where we fouind the
front door unlocked so we let ourselves in and stood in the kitchen. Seconds Page221
later the owner, a man who fitted the description given by the complainant