In One For The Road Harriet is defending Brian Bex who is accused of killing someone in a drink driving accident. He initially wants to plead guilty and has already attempted suicide. He is a diabetic who had fallen into a hyperglycaemic coma whilst at the wheel following a night out. Harriet’s defence rests on the fact that Bex was a tee-totaller and had actually taken an alcoholic drink by mistake and that had led to his coma.
Meanwhile Dr Moody has taken another “lame duck” under his wing. Dave Fletcher has just been released from prison and his wife Sybil is adamant she won’t take him back. Harriet is less than impressed when Ian asks her to put the man up for the night. The next morning Dave has gone and a silver statuette along with a valuable piece of china are missing.
It’s something of an episode of two parts, for once Moody’s story doesn’t cross with Harriet’s. He is genuinely concerned about the welfare of Dave Fletcher (played by excellent character actor Frank Mills). Moody can’t quite grasp that Fletcher has become institutionalised and is happy to take prison over his freedom.
Carmel McSharry who plays Fletcher’s embittered wife would go on to star in ITV-Yorkshire drama Beryl’s Lot later in the year. That series was created by Kevin Laffan (a Justice contributor and also creator of Emmerdale Farm) and featured heavy imput from Bill Macilwraith, the writer of this episode. Clearly McSharry made enough of an impact here to be considered for the lead in Beryl’s Lot.
Geoffrey Whitehead makes his second Justice appearance having previously played a different character in season one episode To Help an Old School Friend.
classic quote
“That’s the difference between us Bill, I should deeply resent it if I was proved wrong.”
production details
UK / ITV – Yorkshire / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Friday 9 March 1973 at 9.00pm
Writer: Bill Macilwraith / Production Design: Vic Symonds / Director: Tony Wharmby
Series: Justice Season 2 Episode 5
cast
Margaret Lockwood as Harriet Peterson
Philip Stone as Sir John Gallagher
John Stone as Dr Ian Moody
John Bryans as Bill, Clerk of Chambers
Carmel McSharry as Sybil Fletcher
Frank Mills as Dave Fletcher
Geoffrey Whitehead as Brian Bex
John Barcroft as Randell
John Cazabon as Clerk of Court
Terry Duggan as Robinson
Tim Preece as Frobisher
Kenneth Gilbert as Sgt Humphrey
Douglas Milvain as Dearden