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‘I believe I will, al boundaries a little if it htest chance that an innocent ranted justice’

Lord Justice Arnott didn’t look pleased, but satisfied himself with a frown as the courtroom door opened and a stockyjeans and a leather jacket, appeared Stern took his place in the witness box and delivered the oath without once looking at the card the clerk held up He then glared across at defence counsel like a boxer waiting for the bell to ring

‘Howpolice officer, Mr Stern?’

‘Twenty-eight Best years of my life’

‘Is that right?’ said Sir Julian ‘So why did you take early retirement, when you would have been entitled to a full pension after just another two years’ service?’

‘Wanted to go out at the top, didn’t I?’

‘By ending your career with a murder conviction? But before I co the best years of your life, Mr Stern, how many times were you suspended?’

‘Is this line of questioning relevant, Sir Julian?’ asked Lord Justice Arnott

‘It goes to the heart of the case, m’lud,’ said Sir Julian as he picked up the first of the two personnel files that Williae e red tab ‘How many times?’ he repeated

‘Three,’ said Stern, not looking quite as confident

‘And was the first offence for being drunk on duty?’

‘I ht have occasionally downed a couple of pints on a Friday night,’ admitted Stern

‘While you were on duty?’

‘Only after we’d banged up a villain’

‘And exactly howdrunk on duty, having banged up a villain on a Friday night?’