New Scotland Yard: The Trojan Horse (ITV 20 Apr 1974)

In The Trojan Horse a staged truck hijack goes wrong when the driver is accidentally run over and killed. Clay and Dexter think the hijack is linked to a series of other hijacks that have taken place in recent weeks.

As the investigation gets under way there is a nice glimpse into Clay’s background, he’s married with two kids, teenage Alec getting ready to leave school and an older daughter Annie. Also still living at home. Alec is having problems at school trying to defend his dad from a group of police hating older kids. When Dexter calls around with fresh info it’s also clear that he knows the family quite well, Clay’s wife Janet quickly settling into a mothering role with him.

The excellent Godfrey James, another of those unsung character actors who popped up in every show going during the seventies, has a prominent role as truck driver Sid who is targeted by the hijackers and decides to turn them in.

The second half of the episode is very action packed. Clay, using Sid to trap the Hijackers in the act. The trap goes wrong and Sid ends up dead.

The episode was based on a story from the show’s police advisor Frank Williams so there is probably quite a degree of truth in the tale. Clay at home with his wife Janet. 

production details
UK / ITV – London Weekend Television / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Saturday 20 April 1974 at 8.30pm

Writer: Basil Dawson / Production Design: Rodney Cammish / Director: Colin Cant

Series: New Scotland Yard Season 4 Episode 2

cast
Michael Turner as Detective Chief Superintendent Clay
Clive Francis as Detective Sergeant Dexter
Godfrey James as Sid Levene
Doreen Keogh as Miriam Levene
Arthur White ass Joe Morris
Gil Sutherland as Detective Sergeant Bradley
William Wilde as Vince Perry
Ross Perry as Alec Clay
Margaret John as Janet Clay
Wendy Wax as Annie Clay
Frank Lester as Barman