“You may proceed on Mr Arnold.”
Mr Arnold cleared his throat. “As I was saying. Sharon was in the bath, and you went upstairs to check the boiler. You waited until she’d got out of the bath. Whilst she was getting changed you WA…
“Objection.” Screamed Mrs Hollo who was again on her feet in anger. That was twice she’d disturbed the court – case in one day!
“Please take your seat Mrs Hollo the court will come to your statement soon enough.”
“ Go on Mr Arnold you may finish your statement. Without any interruption’s please.” He stared straight at Mrs Hollo when he said this. An embarrassed look came onto her face as she sat down.
“You watched Sharon getting changed.(Mrs Hollo opened her mouth to speak but the Judge gave her a look, and she contained her excitement) You started to come towards her, then you assaulted her, you assaulted your own DAUGHTER!” His voice was loud and it echoed throughout out the whole court – room, he even made me jump out of my seat.
Mr Arnold again took his seat a waited quietly, he signalled to me a “thumbs up” (very discreetly.)
“ Thank you very much Mr Arnold. I now call Sharon to the stand.”
As I arose from my seat and took my position at the stand, I was so nervous I could feel myself shaking uncontrollably. As I placed my hand on the bible I could feel it shaking I tried to control it but I couldn’t. I then repeated what the judge said.
I SHARON DAVIES SWEAR TO TELL THE TRUTH THE WHOLE THRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH!
I wanted this to come over as strong and that I could cope with the situation. But deep down inside I could feel myself screaming, I had to stand there in front of everyone and dad and make them believe I was telling the truth. I felt sick to the stomach. I was thinking of what I could say to make it sound believable, when suddenly the judge snapped me back into reality.”
“Sharon Davies on Thursday 22nd October 2002 11.30 p.m. Your step mother had taken out your two brothers and left you at home with your dad. You watched a bit of television, then you asked dad if it was ok to have a bath and go to bed. Now in your own time and in as much detail as possible, could you tell the court what happened next?”
I began to open my mouth and tell the whole court – room what had “Supposedly” happened.
“As you said your honour. I was felling tired and asked dad if it was ok to have a bath and go to bed. He explained to me that there probably wasn’t enough hot water for a long soak, so I said I’d have a quick one and have a shower in the morning. As I was getting out the bath I saw a figure lurking outside the bathroom door I shouted, “dad is that you?” there was no reply. I unlocked the bathroom door and made my way to my bedroom, dad was no where to be seen. I walked into my room and I removed my towelling robe and hung it behind my door. Then I turned round and dad was standing there. He looked evil, not at all like my dad. He stood up and…”
I started to panic to panic now, I then caught sight of dad eyes to eyes focus to focus. I began to think how can I do this how can I lie I knew I could never get rid of my guilt it would haunt me for the rest of my life.
“In your own time. Miss Davies” said the Judge with an understanding in his voice.
I could feel the3 centre of my palms hot, sweaty and sticky. I clasped my hands together. I could feel tears forcing their way through my eyes but I managed to hold them back.
“ He stood up and grabbed my wrist, his grip was so strong I just couldn’t fight him off as much as I wanted to I just couldn’t. He threw me onto the bed with such force I banged my head. I must have blacked out cause all I can remember was waking up running to the bathroom, and being violently sick.” By now I could no longer fight the tears. They came rushing out of my face like a tap there was no stopping them. I went and sat down next to my mum and I cried I cried so much it hurt. I think the Judge could tell I was upset and he asked for no more evidence.
“I know this is hard for you Miss Davies but you did very well.”
“I now call Mr Davies to the stand.” Said the Judge with a complete different tone in his voice.
“Now Mr Davies, going through the same procedure. On Thursday 22nd October 2002 11.30 p.m. You are convicted of assaulting your daughter, do you plead guilty or not guilty?”
“Not guilty.” Dad said this showing so much confidence he made me feel small.
“Very well.” Said the Judge, almost with disbelief in his voice.
“You may proceed on Mr Davies.”
“Sharon said she was feeling tired and wanted to have a bath and then go to bed. I said ok but warning her that was probably not going to be a lot of hot water for a long soak. When I heard the bath running I suddenly needed the toilet, but then I remembered that Sharon was in the bath. So I decided to go into Sharon’s room which she shared with my youngest daughter. It was a complete mess so I decided to tidy it up. I then heard the firmiler footsteps of someone stepping out of the bath onto the tiled floor. Before I had time to leave the bedroom. Sharon had come in and not realising I was there took off her towelling robe and hung it behind the door. She then turned round and started hurling abuse at me calling me names like “Pervert” and how she hated me. I stood up and walked out the room covering my eyes as I went. I went downstairs and put the kettle on. About 25 minutes later I could hear Sharon coming down the stairs. She came in tears poring down her face, she said she was sorry for jumping to conclusions, and that she hoped she hadn’t offended me. I apologised to her and said how I was so sorry. I should have told you I was in your room. I made her a hot chocolate and I kissed her goodnight, she kissed me back and said it’s good to have you alone I miss you.”
By now dad was starting to fill up I could see him blinking back the tears.
“I said I missed her too and that we had to see more of each other. I explained to her that I stopped loving your mother, but I never stopped loving you.”
As dad took his seat he began to cry. I then realised how much I really loved him and how everything he said was true. I felt the pain for him and the guilt for me.
“ Court adjourned.” Bellowed the Judge.
Whilst out side I wanted to talk to dad and say to him that I was sorry and that I still loved him and to be able to touch him. But we were torn apart limb by limb I couldn’t even see him.
About 15 minutes later everyone was ordered to take his or her seats, and to settle down where the Verdict would be announced.
There was silence in the courtroom. You could have heard a pin drop from the sky and hear a huge thud. The powerful and over-ruling Judge stepped forward, and addressed the Jury.
“On Thursday 22nd October 2002 11.30 p.m. Mr Davies was convicted of committing a crime of assault to his daughter Sharon Davies.
Do the Jury find Mr Davies Guilty or not Guilty as charged?”
A short stubby bloke arose from the jury, clutching a piece of paper. He addressed to whole courtroom.
“I propose that Mr Davies of committing a crime of assault, towards his daughter Sharon Davies…”
There was a pause. It must have only been 5 seconds but to me it seemed like forever.
“GIULTY.”
There was mixed emotions going on throughout the courtroom. The trial had been a success a success to everyone, everyone that is except me. I didn’t want it to end up like this I just wanted to teach him a lesson. The Judge came over cross and disturbed to think that anyone any Father could commit an assault towards his own daughter.
“The sentence for Mr Davies crime of assaulting another human being 8 years imprisonment.!”
The look on dad’s face was unforgettable. I couldn’t come to terms with what had just happened. I hated myself, and I’m sure he hated me
I then got a quick word and a glimpse to dad before they dragged him to the world of hell! All that came to me was “sorry.” He then replied with a look that made me feel disgusted with myself and my actions.” I have NO daughter.” I now knew he could never forgive me until the day he dies. I burst out of the courtroom with a scream so loud, it felt as though my ears were bleeding.
I am standing next to dad now. Everyone’s here all the family, he is as silent as a mouse, he doesn’t say a word. I look at him and I feel the guilt and the pain. I try to speak to him, I get no reply. He’s lying peacefully in a bed made of silk. How can I ever tell him I’m sorry, today he was meant to come home. Still no answer he’s gone!
English Coursework
Original Writing
Ms Hardy
Zoe Pattemore 10CCR
