2x1 - Regina v Barnes: Whatever Happened to George Robins?: Part 1

January 3, 1973

George Robins is a second hand car dealer and well-known ladies man. He has disappeared. Blood stains were found at his country cottage. A local car thief, Harold Barnes, is charged with his murder, but Barnes claims that Robins has not been murdered but has faked his own death so that his wife can claim a large insurance pay-out. The prosecution will try to prove that Barnes has indeed murdered Robins even though no body has ever been found.

2x2 - Regina v Barnes: Whatever Happened to George Robins?: Part 2

January 4, 1973

Detective Inspector Robert takes the stand to describe the investigation into the disappearance of George Robins and the arrest of Harold Barnes. Dr. John Gould gives a breakdown of the forensic evidence and the link to Barnes.

2x3 - Regina v Barnes: Whatever Happened to George Robins?: Part 3

January 5, 1973

Defendant Harold Barnes alleges that George Robins is still alive. Prosecutor Jonathan Fry QC causes a stir when he calls Robins as a witness. Barnes' wife Catherine denies the she had an affair with Robins and alibis her husband.

2x4 - Blackmail: Regina v Brewer and Brewer: Part 1

January 10, 1973

The spurned lover of a Church of England clergyman is accused of blackmail after threatening to expose their affair unless the vicar pays £400.

2x5 - Blackmail: Regina v Brewer and Brewer: Part 2

January 11, 1973

When Rev. Frank Warrender gives contradicting evidence, Charles Lotterby asks the judge to treat him as hostile witness. Police Inspector Savage confirms that it was Mrs Warrender who brought the blackmail letters to the police.

2x6 - Blackmail: Regina v Brewer and Brewer: Part 3

January 12, 1973

Following Janet Brewer's revelations about her health and her breakdown, the judge turns down Barry Deeley's request to dismiss the case. Despite pleas from her doctor and father the judge maintains there is still a case to answer.

2x7 - Sunset of Arms: Fitton v Pusey: Part 1

January 17, 1973

A military historian has been accused of libel by a British Army Major following the publication of a book on the British Army's involvement in the Korean War. The author claims that the Major abandoned his post and left his company of soldiers to be massacred by the North Koreans. The Major insists that he was the last man standing in the conflict and escaped to safety only after the rest of his company was wiped out. Was the Major a hero, or a coward?

2x8 - Sunset of Arms: Fitton v Pusey: Part 2

January 18, 1973

Morton Lass, an American tank commander seconded to Hill 329 claims that Major Fitton begged to leave with him. A second witness; Australian soldier Ronald Harstrong maintains he found Fitton suffering from PTSD.

2x9 - Sunset of Arms: Fitton v Pusey: Part 3

January 19, 1973

Radio operator Corporal Batley, who was believed to have died on Hill 329 makes a shock appearance in court. He has now changed his name to William Truscott and his evidence accuses Major Fitton of lying about what really happened.

2x10 - Persimmons and Dishwashers: Regina v Curl: Part 1

January 24, 1973

Fulchester's notorious Curl brothers are accused of demanding money with menaces and GBH. The court will hear that the brothers had been conducting a reign of terror over Fulchester's club and bar owners through a Chicago-style protection racket. After refusing to pay the brothers for protection, a number of club owners suffered injuries ranging from falls down stairs, feet burned with electric fires and attacks with hammers. Indeed, one of the brother's own enforcers has disappeared and is believed to have been buried under the new M16 motorway foundations. The defense insist that the brothers are legitimate businessmen.

2x11 - Persimmons and Dishwashers: Regina v Curl: Part 2

January 25, 1973

The second day of the trial of brothers George and Arnold Curl. The pair are accused of running a Fulchester protection racket. Much of the evidence comes from Stephen Telfer, a club owner who is now in a coma following a savage beating.

2x12 - Persimmons and Dishwashers: Regina v Curl: Part 3

January 26, 1973

Facing a second day under cross examination, George Curl claims he found religion while in Reading Gaol. However his brother Arnold gets rattled when questioned about hiring Arther McGraw to injure Stephen Telfer.

2x13 - A Public Mischief: Regina v Baker and Crawley: Part 1

January 31, 1973

Town Hall corruption is exposed in this case, as two employees of Fulchester Borough Council are charged with fraudulently purchasing land which was at the centre of a planning permission wrangle. The land was then quickly re-sold at a much higher price than that originally paid by the council employees to the previous owner, a local market gardener, who claims that he only sold his land when he was informed that a new motorway by-pass would run through his farming land. Did the Council employees use their inside knowledge for their own financial gain?

2x14 - A Public Mischief: Regina v Baker and Crawley: Part 2

February 1, 1973

Councilor John Fairley is cross examined by Jonathan Fry QC. The previous day he accused Margaret Crawley of failing to mention, she was a close friend of councilor; Charles Baker, when she applied for planning permission.

2x15 - A Public Mischief: Regina v Baker and Crawley: Part 3

February 2, 1973

The trial of councillor Charles Baker and his former secretary Margaret Crawley took a dramatic turn when she refused to take the stand and give evidence in her defence. Charles Baker is cross examined Crawley's barrister Barry Deeley.

2x16 - Portrait of an Artist: Kingsley v Messiter: Part 1

February 7, 1973

Before his death a year ago, a renowned artist wrote a will in which he bequeathed his estate to his favourite model, Rose Messiter. The will is being challenged by his business partner Brenda Kingsley, who had been named as sole beneficiary in an earlier will written by the artist. She claims that at the time of writing the second will, the artist was not of sound mind. Ms Kingsley is now challenging the second will and is laying claim to the artist's estate.

2x17 - Portrait of an Artist: Kingsley v Messiter: Part 2

February 8, 1973

Graphologist Mr Pascoe gives evidence on behalf defendant Rose Messiter and can not rule out that Martin Emsworth's writing was forged. Brenda Kingsley claims, although she acted a witness to the Will, she did not see the contents.

2x18 - Portrait of an Artist: Kingsley v Messiter: Part 3

February 9, 1973

Rose Messiter is cross examined by Helen Tate. She accuses Messiter of being a witness to the original Will and wouldn't be provided for. Under pressure, from Tate, Messiter admits she wrote the second Will but denies it was forgery.

2x19 - A Crime In Prison - Regina v Ager and Lanigan : Part 1

February 14, 1973

A prison officer at Fulchester's Park Moor Prison is charged with accepting bribes to smuggle a number of prohibited items into and out of the prison by an inmate, who is also facing charges.

2x20 - A Crime in Prison: Regina v Ager and Lanigan: Part 2

February 15, 1973

Detective Inspector Barber returns to the stand to give details of the arrest of Prison Officer Robert Agar. Angela Mercer evidence indicated that Agar took items inside the prison, for George Lanigan, in return for sexual favours.

2x21 - A Crime in Prison: Regina vs. Ager and Lanigan: Part 3

February 13, 1973

On the final day of the trial, Prison Officer Robert Ager takes the stand. in his own defence. Barrister Barry Deeley maintains that Agar was bullied and threatened, by Lanigan, into bringing illegal goods into the prison

2x22 - Infanticide or Murder?: Part 1

February 21, 1974

A 15 year old schoolgirl has given birth to an illegitimate baby. Within a week of the birth, the body of the baby has been found buried in the girl's back garden by police acting on a tip-off. The schoolgirl's father (the baby's grandfather) has been charged with the murder of the baby after it was discovered that the infant had been strangled.

2x23 - Infanticide or Murder?: Part 2

February 22, 1974

Dominic Collins is cross examined by barrister Helen Tate. He maintains he did not strangle the baby and was it dead when he found it. 15-year-old Mary Collins shocks the court by claiming she strangled the baby moments after the birth

2x24 - Infanticide or Murder?: Part 3

February 23, 1974

The previous day ended sensationally with both Dominic Collins' wife and daughter confessing to killing the baby. Barrister Helen Tate accuses Mary of researching the Infanticide Act in bid to get her father off a murder charge.

2x25 - Act of Vengeance: Regina v Collings: Part 1

February 28, 1974

A 21 year old man has been blinded after an attacker flung acid into his face. Was the attack carried out by his own cousin following a family feud?

2x26 - Act of Vengeance: Regina v Collings: Part 2

March 1, 1974

Alan Collings fiancee Pauline Ellis gives evidence about the long running feud between the father's Alan and Brian and how family party ended in threats. Brian Collings takes the stand in his defence but is unable to produce an alibi.

2x27 - Act of Vengeance: Regina v Collings: Part 3

March 2, 1974

Brian Collings faces a second day in the dock. The prosecution revealed that Brian had a newspaper picture of Pauline Ellis, in a bikini, pinned on his wall at work. The prosecution argue that he blinded Alan through jealousy.

2x28 - Freak-Out: Regina v Marlow: Part 1

March 7, 1974

The effects of hallucinogenic drugs provide a theme in this case. Peta Best, a leading sixties fashion photographer, has been found dead in her studio with a cloth pushed down her throat. Natasha Marlow, a young model who was with Peta Best at the time of her death, is charged with murder but claims that herself and the photographer were 'freaking out' after an L.S.D. session and she would therefore have been incapable of committing murder. Light is shed on the sleazy world of pornography as the trial progresses.

2x29 - Freak-Out: Regina v Marlow: Part 2

March 8, 1973

Photographer Alleyn Griffin gives evidence about Natasha Marlowe erratic behaviour at the party. Marlowe takes the stand, in her own defence, and confesses that she has taken so much L.S.D that she has little memory of the night.

2x30 - Freak-Out: Regina v Marlow: Part 3

March 9, 1974

Natasha Marlow is cross examinined by Jonathan Fry QC after it was revealed she threatened to kill Peta Best while high on drugs. The defence called Sister Joanna Forbush but her evidence, based on Marlow's therapy, proved problematic.

2x31 - The Mugging of Arthur Simmons: Part 1

March 14, 1974

A pensioner is mugged in a dark alley. two young black men are identified as the muggers in a local youth club. However, the defense claims that the identity parade was not carried out according to correct police procedure.

2x32 - The Mugging of Arthur Simmons: Part 2

March 15, 1974

P.C. Kershaw takes the stand to give details of the arrest of the two defendants. With Mrs Palmer evidence tainted there are now doubts that John Dempsey was the second man. Walter Sissons QC also queries Kershaw's impartiality.

2x33 - The Mugging of Arthur Simmons: Part 3

March 16, 1974

While giving evidence in his defence, John Dempsey claimed that PC Kershaw saw the university student as a black activist and kept him under constant surveillance. He now faces an aggressive cross examination from James Elliot QC

2x34 - Love Thy Neighbour: Part 1

March 21, 1974

A man is left paralyzed after being shot on his own doorstep following an argument about a betting slip. Two brothers living next door stand accused of attempted murder but claim the gun went off by accident during a scuffle.

2x35 - Love Thy Neighbour: Part 2

March 22, 1974

The first day's proceedings came to halt when prosecution witness Madge Gorman failed to show. When Mrs. Gorman appears, today, she has an obvious black eye, so the judge warns her should she change her original evidence.

2x37 - The Death of Dracula: Part 1

March 28, 1974

Count Alucard, a Dracula-themed illusionist, is shot dead on stage when a stunt involving a gun goes horribly wrong. His assistant (his wife, Rita) is accused of having tampered with the gun, killing him after discovering yet another of his affairs. did she purposely kill her husband, or was the gun faulty?

2x38 - The Death of Dracula: Part 2

March 29, 1973

Lingerie model Kathleen Nolan gives evidence of the events leading to the death of Norman Mattson, at the 501 Club. Rita Mattson takes the stand and claims in the 8 years of her marriage she never knew how the silver bullet trick worked.

2x39 - The Death of Dracula: Part 3

March 30, 1973

Rita Mattson is cross examined by James Elliot QC. She is rattled when he claims her husband was threatening to leave her for a younger woman. Brig. Sir Ferdinand Tennyson-Pusey gives evidence about how he believed gun trick worked.

2x40 - Wise Child: Part 1

April 4, 1973

A wealthy industrialist who made his fortune in African mining projects has died and left his fortune to his widow and two children. However, an African man has come forward to claim his share of the inheritance by claiming that he is the son of the businessman from a previous, secret marriage to an African lady. Is he genuinely the son, or is he an impostor trying to fraudulently claim money?

2x41 - Wise Child: Part 2

April 5, 1973

Lady Crittenden is cross examined by Stephen Harvesty following her admission, in court, that Lapointe is the maiden name of Sir Tom's mother. Bernard Crittenden attempts to show that Raoul Lapointe's birth certificate is a forgery.

2x42 - Wise Child: Part 3

April 6, 1973

Stephen Harvesty calls Antoine Mbula of the legal department of the Diplomatic Mission of Zaire in an attempt to resolve the issue of whether Raoul Lapointe birth certificate is genuine or whether Bernard Crittenden has replaced it.

2x43 - Beware of the Dog: Part 1

April 11, 1973

A night security firm stands accused of attacking a young courting couple with dogs and truncheons after they had entered a private development via a hole in the perimeter fence. The couple claim the attack took place outside the fence after they had left the premises. The firm's right to use truncheons is also being questioned by the prosecution.

2x44 - The Hon. Mr. Justice Craig

April 13, 1973

Barrister John Lloyd attempts to show victims Annabel Nelson and Derek Latimer as radicals who were deliberating trespassing on Transecure property. Colonel G.H. Hore-Davis gives evidence on Transecure employees use of violence.

2x45 - Beware of the Dog: Part 3

April 13, 1973

Barrister John Lloyd claims Transecure employees were provoked by the young couple. The judge refuses to drop the case against William Cooke. The defence will now argue that Transcure employees can carry truncheons on private property.

2x46 - Theft By Necessity

April 18, 1973

A retired lawyer decides to defend himself in court after he is charged with shoplifting.

2x47 - The Gilded Cage: Part 1

April 19, 1973

An estranged wife has accused her husband of rape. The husband denies the charge and claims that his wife has made up the allegation in anger after he refused to increase her maintenance payments.

2x48 - The Gilded Cage: Part 2

April 20, 1973

Mr. Cross makes a controversial submission; that a husband can not be charged with the unlawful imprisonment or the rape, of his wife, at least while there is no legal separation. He believes Mr Scard has no case to answer.

2x49 - Credibility Gap: Part 1

April 25, 1973

A construction company building a suspension bridge is being sued for compensation by the wife of a workman who has been badly injured in a fall from the bridge. The prosecution claims that the workmen had not been provided with safety belts. The defense insist that safety belts were available, but the workman chose not to wear one and may even have been drunk when he fell from the bridge.

2x50 - Credibility Gap: Part 2

April 26, 1973

Managing Director of the Porton Construction Charles Porton attempts to defend the high mortality rate at his firm. George Walker gives evidence about a fight between Jack Stephens and Tom Morgan the day before his accident.

2x51 - Credibility Gap: Part 3

April 27, 1973

George Walker attempts to shift blame when it is revealed that the shed with the safety belts was locked on Charles Porton's orders. Porton is recalled to witness box when the register with Jack Stephens age appears to have been altered

2x52 - The Long-Haired Leftie: Part 1

May 2, 1973

A militant trade union activist is accused of stirring up trouble on a picket line outside a newspaper headquarters. The defense are suggesting that there is a political motive behind his arrest but the judge has insisted that the trial must not be turned into a political debate.

2x53 - The Long-Haired Leftie: Part 2

May 3, 1973

The judge rejects Charles Lotterby's request to make this a political trial and ask political questions. He then asks Sgt. Kershaw why a senior office ordered him to arrest Donald Dowd, simply because he was considered a troublemaker.

2x54 - The Long-Haired Leftie: Part 3

May 4, 1973

Political agitator Donald Dowd spends a second day in the witness box cross examined by Andrew Logan QC. The barrister attempts to goad Dowd it to exposing his radical politics and whether it is acceptable to use violence.

2x55 - Intent to Kill: Part 1

May 9, 1973

A gang of four criminals have raided a warehouse and a night-watchman has been shot and seriously wounded. Two of the gang have been acquitted of attempted murder at an earlier trial. The third member of the gang is now on trial after finally being apprehended in Essex. The fourth gang member, the getaway driver, has turned Queens evidence in return for police protection and is now being used as a prosecution witness. Is his evidence reliable enough?

2x56 - Intent to Kill: Part 2

May 10, 1973

Barrister Helen Tate attempts cast doubt on evidence given by nightwatchman Joseph Pearson. She maintains his evidence may be tainted due to injuries inflicted during the robbery. Albert Duffy begins to give evidence in his defence.

2x57 - Intent to Kill: Part 3

May 11, 1973

Albert Duffy claims he is a changed man since his first child was born while he was in jail. Although he doesn't deny he took part in the robbery he claims he was coerced by Terrence Manning. He now faces cross examination by Barry Deeley.

2x58 - There Was a Little Girl: Part 1

May 16, 1973

Fiona Gray is charged with arson after setting fire to her estranged husband's house. As her children were in the house at the time, the defense are claiming diminished responsibility.

2x59 - There Was a Little Girl: Part 2

May 17, 1973

During Rick Gray's evidence he reveals that living with his wife was like living with a small child. Gilbert Brinsley, who worked at Coldwater Valley Arts Society, admits Fiona Gray instigated a sexual relationship with him.

2x60 - There Was a Little Girl: Part 3

May 18, 1973

Prosecuter John Lloyd dismissed claims that Fiona Gray was an automaton and unaware of her actions in burning down her husband's house. Taking the witness box she refuses to answer questions about her motivation in starting the fire.

2x61 - A View to Matrimony: Part 1

May 23, 1973

Archie McNeil is a bigamist. He married three women under Islamic Law in Somalia, where he has business interests, and a further three women in the U.K. Is he just a hopeless romantic? (The press have dubbed him 'The blue-beard of Scotland'). Or did he, as the prosecution claim, marry his wives for financial gain? After being traced by a Private Detective to a hotel room in Scarborough, where he was on honeymoon with wife number six, Mr McNeil must now explain his actions in court.

2x62 - A View to Matrimony: Part 2

May 24, 1973

When Agnes McNeill interrupted the court, it was then discovered that she was yet another woman claiming to be the wife of Archie. All three of the wives give evidence but Agnes claims she went to Somalia, with him, but returned home.

2x63 - A View to Matrimony: Part 3

May 25, 1973

Archie McNeill gives evidence claim and to be a strict Muslim thus voiding the bigamy charge against him. The woman were considered to be living in sin. He still charged with false representation and attempting to gain money be deception.

2x64 - Settling a Score: Part 1

May 30, 1973

Fulchester United's star striker Arnie Campbell's career is over following a foul by Porthampton City's hard-man defender John 'Chopper' Bates. Bates denies making the foul challenge and claims that one of Campbell's own team-mates was responsible. Did Campbell's own team-mate deliberately injure him after discovering that Campbell was taking bribes from a local bookmaker to 'throw' matches. The court will hear that bribery, betting scams and corruption have become a common feature of modern professional football.

2x65 - Settling a Score: Part 2

May 31, 1973

John Lloyd accuses Fulchester striker Kevin Lewis of injuring team mate Arnie Campbell. He denies telling associate Terence Stein that he thought Campbell was taking bribes. Chairman James Harris says Bates apologised for the bad tackle.

2x66 - Settling a Score: Part 3

June 1, 1973

Porthampton City manager George Lomax gives evidence for Johnny Bates by playing down his hard man reputation. Journalist Terence Stein tells about the threats made against Arnie Rimmer by Kevin Lewis who he regarded of fixing matches.

2x67 - To Catch a Thief : Part 1

June 6, 1973

2x68 - To Catch A Thief (Part 2)

June 7, 1973

Erika Brabazon is cross examined by Charles Lotterby. He queries Ronald Halsey's outburst, in court, that she was "fitting him up" and the pair had once been in an relationship. Charlie Binns give details of how the painting was found.

2x69 - To Catch A Thief (Part 3)

June 8, 1973

Ronald Halsey is cross examined about his finances, at the time of the robbery. It is said he owed Erika Brabazon £90 for another painting and £1,250 loan. However art expert James Thorley claims the Pizarro painting is actually a fake.

2x70 - Patch's Patch : Part 1

June 13, 1973

Fulchester builder Benjamin Patch is accused of fraud. He became a national celebrity when he devised a revolutionary scheme which enabled young couples to purchase cheap new houses for just a one thousand pounds deposit. After the scheme collapsed, hundreds of investors have lost their money and are still without a house.

2x71 - Patch's Patch: Part 2

June 14, 1973

Acting has his counsel Benjamin Patch starts to cross examine Superintendent James from the Fraud Squad. Patch attempts to put the blame on director Raymond Jordan, who disappeared two days after he was interviewed by James.

2x72 - Patch's Patch: Part 3

June 15, 1973

Patch is warned about intimidating his former secretary Rachel Mackintosh. Taking the stand he puts all the blame on director Raymond Jordan for the missing £159,000. Ex-employee Joyce Graham gives character evidence for Patch.

2x73 - Who Was Kate Greer? : Part 1

June 20, 1973

The wife of a university lecturer stands accused of perjury and perverting the course of justice. At a previous trial, she gave evidence against one of her husband's students, who was then convicted of stealing a valuable vase from the university. But the vase turned up at an auction three weeks after the student was convicted of stealing it. Where had the vase been? And did the lecturer's wife lie at the trial of the student?

2x74 - Who Was Kate Greer: Part 2

June 21, 1973

Wrongfully convicted of stealing a valuable vase, Celia Alcott takes the stand. With Professor Archer committing suicide, much of her evidence is classed a hearsay. However she drops a bombshell by admitting she had an affair Archer.

2x75 - Who Was Kate Greer: Part 3

June 22, 1973

Winifred Archer gives evidence and admits that the relationship with her husband was rocky but was unaware he killed himself fearing he had cancer. Victor Purbright returns to the stand and maintains Winifred Archer who sold the vase.

2x76 - A Right to Life: Part 1

June 27, 1973

A doctor, and the mental institute at which he works, are being sued for damages by a young woman. Whilst living as a patient at the mental institute, the young woman became pregnant. She claims that the doctor performed an abortion on her against her will and knowledge. The doctor is well known for his controversial views on genetics, which to some appear similar to those held by NAZI ideologists in the 1930's. Barry Deeley QC leads the prosecution.

2x77 - A Right to Life: Part 2

June 28, 1973

Prof. Esmond Seagrave counters Dr. Paul Richards' argument that anyone who has a IQ under 85 should be sterilised. The girl at centre of the case, Sarah Abbs, gives evidence but has limited understanding of anything other than her lost baby.

2x78 - A Right to Life: Part 3

June 29, 1973

Dr. Paul Richards defends his actions in giving Sarah Abbs an abortion. He claims she was violent and he'd gave her a stable existence. Barry Deeley accuses Richards of playing god and failing to explain, to Sarah, the consequences.

2x79 - The Inner Circle: Part 1

July 4, 1973

The Sunday Nation newspaper, and one of its leading reporters, are being sued for libel after describing a psychotherapy group as 'harmful' and 'fraudulent'. Stephen Harvesty QC, for the defendants, will try to convince the court that the psychotherapy group is indeed nothing more than a cult which forces its members to part with large sums of money for very little in return.

2x80 - The Inner Circle: Part 2

July 5, 1973

During Manubhai Gupta evidence he admits to donating £35,000, to the group. At the highest level funds were raised for new Centres but were never built. Martin Heywood claims the Inner Circle should be considered a religion order.

2x81 - The Inner Circle: Part 3

July 6, 1973

Mrs. Peacock attempts to explain the benefit of the Open Box community and how they helped her following a nervous breakdown. Megan Watts, finally, takes the stand and denies that members, at Tute Hall, are terrified of her.

2x82 - The Black Poplar: Part 1

July 11, 1973

A Fulchester lady is accused of attempted murder after shooting a council worker who was felling a rare Black Poplar tree in her front garden. She claims that she did not aim the gun directly at the worker but merely intended to scare him and prevent him from carrying out his work in protest against the council's decision to chop down the tree.

2x83 - The Black Poplar: Part 2

July 12, 1973

Jonathan Fry QC is attempting to put forward, against Mrs Tressman's wishes, a plea of automatism. Mrs Tressman outlines what she can remember about what happened on the day of the shooting but is clearly in a distressed state.

2x84 - The Black Poplar: Part 3

July 13, 1973

Pauline Tressman demanded to plead guilty rather than have Dr. Mary Ryden give evidence. Counsel changed her mind and the doctor admitted that Mrs. Tressman's mental health deteriorated following the death of her granddaughter.

2x85 - The Open Invitation: Part 1

July 18, 1973

Maureen Sellers is accused of kidnapping a baby which had been left in its pram outside a Fulchester supermarket. She claims she had the mother's permission to take the baby, who she had previously babysat for, but the mother denies this.

2x86 - The Open Invitation: Part 2

July 19, 1973

Psychiatrist Dr. Richard Whatmore is subpoenaed by the prosecution to give evidence about Maureen Sellers. He reveals how she had suffered from depression following a miscarriage. Maureen Sellers, then, takes the stand in her defence.