The Sweeney: Contact Breaker (ITV 20 Mar 1975, with Warren Clarke)

In Contact Breaker The Sweeney are watching a bank for a possible robbery they have a tip off on. The only problem is it’s the wrong bank they are watching. The villains get clean away but the elderly security guard overheard one of them use a name – Danny. Chief suspect is Danny Keever but is currently on pre-release parole. Still in jail but working at an electronics firm during the day. Keever is adamant he is being framed but he had been given a weekend at home and has no alibi.

Haskins has had a previous run-in with Keever and is convinced of his guilt, Regan though is not so sure. Keever’s guilt all seems too pat.

Another excellent cast list enlivens the episode. Warren Clarke is Keever with Coral Atkins as his ultimately untrustworthy wife. There are also roles for under rated character actor Jim Norton (a regular in many a show during the decade), the ever smooth Tony Anholt, Colin Douglas and a small role for Cheryl Hall.

Under rated Jim Norton as gang member Harrister.

production details
UK / ITV – Thames /1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Thursday 20 March 1975 at 9.00pm

Writer: Robert Banks Stewart / Director: Bill Brayne

Series: The Sweeney Season 1 Episode 12

cast
John Thaw as Regan
Dennis Waterman as Carter
Garfield Morgan as Haskins
Warren Clarke as Danny Keever
Coral Atkins as Brenda
Tony Anholt as Mark
Colin Douglas as Commander
John Collin as Parish
Jim Norton as Harrister
Kenneth Gardiner as Arthur
Cheryl Hall as Jenny
Jill Balcon as Miss Hepple
Sydney Arnold as Tilley
Ivor Roberts as Sale
David Jackson as Eddy Cory
Frank Jarvis as Prison officer
Patrick Durkin as Foreman decorator