[soft music]
[sinister music]
[Man] Are you sure it's him?
[dramatic music]
Why isn't the Coastguard dealing with this?
Harbour Master wanted you down here.
Crew were out fishing,
found the body tangled up in a trawler net.
So where is the Harbour Master?
Frank McAffee says he can ID the body.
Well that saves us a job at least.
DCI Vera Stanhope, now this is your patch.
That's right, the skipper,
he called in the office before he came into port
it's this way.
You told DS Healy you know who this fella is.
Aye, Tommy Stonnall.
His family owns one of the trawlers here.
They've got two lads, Steve and Lee, they're out at sea now.
And was this Tommy out with them?
No, he's been missing for a few weeks.
Why, your lot have been looking for him,
but that's why I thought you should be here.
I'll get onto missing persons.
The boys have been informed, boat's heading back in now.
Right, okay, we'll take it from here.
Skipper isn't happy ma'am, he wants to unload that catch.
Well tell him they'll just have to wait.
Listen, they get paid for their share of the catch,
which at the moment is rotting in that hold.
Six days at sea, tired, hungry, stinking of fish.
All right.
Kenny, just get statements.
And we're gonna let you go home as soon as we can.
Alright?
[suspenseful music]
Marcus?
[Marcus] Down here.
Morning
Will you be done before this catch turns?
They're worried they'll lose out.
I don't intend on staying down here for long
let's put it that way, I hate the smell of fish.
Was he found like this.
No, they cut him out from the nets.
And then they wrapped him in this tarpaulin.
We know he's local, fishermen.
Fell overboard?
Nah, someone would have called it in.
How long's he been dead?
Epidermis is still tight,
got rigour mortis in the jaw and the neck,
I guess around 24 hours before he was pulled out of the sea.
So what Saturday night into Sunday?
Cause of death?
Well thinking drowning, hypothermia--
Only the harbour master
thinks there might be something suspicious.
Maybe suicide, he isn't wearing shoes.
Well they could have come off in the current.
What's this head wound?
Sea's been pretty rough.
Torso could have been bashed on the rocks.
Dragged along the sea bed.
There's no broken bones from what I can see
but the PM will tell us more.
He's gonna degrade pretty quickly now he's out of the water.
You better get him bagged up then, sooner the better.
Get yourself a shower.
So what do we know?
Disappeared six weeks ago, family gave a statement.
Said he had a bit of a breakdown.
Missing person's case is ongoing, but no leads to speak of.
So missing six weeks, dead 24 hours?
Where was he in the meantime.
[seagulls chirping]
Your dad was officially missing.
You filed a report what, six weeks ago?
We've been out at sea, four days over Dogger Bank
just came back to find out he'd disappeared.
No warning, not a word that anyone.
It was Frank who told us he was missing.
What the Harbour master?
We left it a couple of days then called the police.
And how was your dad in himself before he went missing.
We barely seen him.
And why was that love?
We lost our mam three years ago, cancer.
Things just got on top of him, you know.
Drinking a fair bit.
House was repossessed, got behind on the payments.
He wasn't working then?
He hadn't been out on the boat this past year.
So where was your dad living?
If the house had been repossessed?
He stayed at me aunt's for a bit
and then he'd been sleeping down here.
They offer you a bed if you need it.
I'll talk to the chaplain, see what he's got to say.
[Vera] So why did neither of you put him up?
He said he didn't want to be a burden.
He was proud, You know.
[Vera] Where were the pair of you on Saturday night
into Sunday morning?
At home.
Lee and I had a few beers and I did the accounts.
I wanted the bills paid before we went back to sea.
Only we think your dad could have been dead
for 24 hours when they found him.
So where'd he been all this time?
Well, that's what I'm going to find out.
Jack told me,
I'm Anna Marshbrook, I'm family.
Do you know how it happened?
No, there'll be a post mortem.
Just can't believe he's...
Frank's suggesting a book of condolence
so people can pay their respects.
It's a bit late for that.
Are we done here?
For now.
[suspenseful music]
Tommy was my brother-in-law, married to my sister,
him and my husband used to run the trawler together.
And where will we find your husband?
Well, you wouldn't.
We lost him in '93.
What happened to him?
Sea he took him,
Tommy tried to save him but, well he couldn't reach him.
The swell was too strong.
Well, that's a brave thing to have done.
Yes, well, he was a different man back then.
I'm sorry you're having to see this pet.
No, it's, it's all right.
I think it was losing my sister that did it for him.
She was the rock, after she died,
Well, we all did what we could but the lads were shattered.
Where's the justice in the this, ay?
Losing their mam and dad in three years.
You're all right mam?
This is my son, Jack.
Didn't I see you on that trawler?
Yeah, first mate.
He's out every hour God sends,
they're at sea more than at home this lot.
[Vera] And where's home?
[Anna] St. Mary's Island.
[Vera] Oh very nice, quiet.
[Jack] It's how she likes it.
And Tommy stayed with you for awhile, is that right?
For a while, yeah.
But then he upsticks, I don't know where he went.
Do you think Tommy could have been suicidal?
Well, if you'd asked me that a year ago,
I would have given you a no, you know, he was a fighter.
He got knocked, he got back up again.
I think what might have tipped him over is the fire.
What fire's that?
Well there was a blaze at Connocks, Fish Market
18 months back, it was the October.
The police never pressed charges.
Yeah, but what's the fire got to do with Tommy.
There were these rumours that he started it.
It was the gossip that got to him the most,
people he'd known all his life
believing he could do a thing like that.
There was no proof he did it, nothing.
Connocks were just looking for someone to blame.
He was just an easy target.
[Vera] Who are these Connocks?
[Anna] Brother and sister, Ellie and Jay.
[Auctioneer] 52, 54, don't be shy over there,
come over here, 56, 58, 60.
60 again, 62, 64, 65,
65 going on the right corner over here.
[people chattering]
I would say cause of death was a fractured skull,
but no fractures to the arms or legs.
Didn't fall from any height then.
No, nothing that tells us how he ended up in the water.
Early signs of decomposition
around the fingers and the toes.
And they found food in his stomach and small intestine,
partially digested, so confirms time of death.
Saturday night
Early Sunday morning.
What about his tox screen?
Minimal traces of alcohol in his blood.
Well, not enough to say he was drunk, anyway.
Although his tolerance for the booze
would have been pretty high.
Cirrhosis of the liver and thread veins, seasoned drinker.
Troubled soul by all accounts.
Key thing is no water in the lungs, no salt in the blood.
So dead before he hit the water.
Yes, and I'd say it's a suspicious death.
Don't look so pleased.
Tommy Stonnall pulled out of the North sea.
He died of a cracked head.
We think the result of an assault sometime over the weekend,
Now Aiden, what do we know about him?
Trawler ma'am for the last 30 years
currently not working due to some kind of breakdown,
was reported missing six weeks ago.
Whereabouts still unknown.
His oldest son, Steve Stonnall, he runs the business.
Decent skipper by all accounts.
What about the other son, Lee, was it?
Yeah bit of a Jack the lad is the impression I'm getting
helps out on the boat when he feels like it.
There's also a cousin first mate Jack Marshbrook.
Are we treating the family as potential suspects then?
Well, no one's ruled in, no one's ruled out.
Now what do we know about this fire at the fish market?
Suspected arson in October, 2014, one fatality.
There was a fatality?
Marquis owner, Joe Connock.
Now Tommy was questioned at the time,
but the case was dropped due to a lack of evidence.
Why was he in the frame?
From reading the report I'd say it's inconclusive.
This bloke who died in the fire, his son,
Jay was convinced that Tommy was responsible.
Bad blood between the families going back donkeys years.
But nothing substantial?
No DNA, trace of accelerant?
No.
So just gossip.
Well, it could be relevant, might not be.
But it still doesn't explain where he's been
for the last six weeks.
Now, is there anything else we need to know?
Kenny anything special at the weekend?
Well, not as far as we can see ma'am,
there was a benefit on the Friday night.
Fishermen's fundraiser down on the quay.
So a lot of fishing folk would have been there.
Yeah but nobody seems to have seen him.
Now, if this was an assault,
someone came across him.
Right, mobile phones, bank statements, vehicle checks.
And number one question, where's been his hidey hole.
And just because missing person drew a blank
doesn't mean we have to.
Now Hicham, I want you to get down to the Harbour
first thing, routine questions.
And now listen, it's an unexplained death.
Have you got that.
Ma'am.
In a place full of gossip mongers
we don't want to stoke it, not when it's one of their own.
[suspenseful music]
[people chattering]
[Hicham] Appreciate your time,
all right thanks a lot, that's great.
What you talking to these lot for?
We're asking everyone, that's how we work.
Aye but these lot are from abroad,
they won't know nothing.
Well, you never know what people notice.
It helps to spread the net.
Are you taking the piss?
No, no, I'm just saying we know what we're doing.
Okay, trust us.
Have you done a whatsit, done an autopsy?
Yeah, of course.
What's it say?
I can't tell you.
What d'you mean you can't, it's me dad.
Yeah, but I'm afraid I can't comment, just for now.
What did you find?
What is it that you're covering up?
There's no coverup, we're just--
Someone kill him?
Is that it?
We're keeping all possibilities open.
Aye, that's it though isn't it?
You've not even bothered to tell us.
Are you all right?
Aye I've only had two hours kip, colic.
Oh, fizzy drink will shift that.
Not me, the baby
Oh.
Kept me up all night.
Well talk to the fishermen,
movements on Saturday night and meet me in the fish market.
Get yourself a coffee.
You're the detective in charge, aren't ya?
[Vera] I am, yes.
Are the Stonnalls going out this week?
[Vera] Are you a skipper?
Aye
Which is your boat then?
Sunbeam, the big one.
Michael Quinn.
Was Tommy a friend of yours.
No, I wouldn't say that,
we worked the same route for 20 years, but not together.
I know him from around here.
So what was your impression of him?
He's been down on his luck for the past few years.
Then again, show me a fishermen
that hasn't been at some point.
It's getting cutthroat out there detective,
Blame Brussels or the ozone layer, what have ya.
Survival of the fittest, ay, is that the feeling?
Afraid so,
to be honest, I think he lost his bottle
after his wife died, kind of lost his edge.
It's understandable.
What about this accusation of arson?
Do you know about that?
Aye, it's total bull.
I wouldn't believe any of the rumours you hear around here.
You wanna get that lot delivered pet,
while it's still fresh?
[soft music]
[suspenseful music]
Mr. Connock?
Ah right, my turn is it?
I hear Tommy wasn't exactly on your Christmas card list.
Yeah, I won't be shedding any tears, put it that way.
Why do you think Tommy started the fire?
I just know he did it, sure as you're stood there.
Yeah, but why?
What do you know that we didn't find, hmm?
All I know is he got away with murder.
And that's enough.
[dramatic music]
Look I've said me piece.
Actually, I'm glad he's gone.
Is that what your came for?
Mr. Connock, can I ask you?
Where were you on Saturday?
Afternoon here, evening,
we had a fundraising benefit, why?
[Ellie] Jay!
I'm having none of that.
Get out me way.
I'm not going anywhere, son.
It's between me and him.
This had nothing to do with us.
Yeah, right.
Put down the knife.
Make you feel better will it?
After a long spell inside
because that's where you'll be going.
If you so much as touch him with that knife.
You didn't even tell us he'd been murdered.
I don't know how your dad died.
So what are you talking to him for them?
But this isn't the answer, is it?
This won't bring him back, but I will find you the answer.
If you just give me the space I need to do my job, okay?
And that's a promise.
This isn't your fight, son.
Put the knife down, come on.
Just put it on the floor.
That's it.
[car door slams]
Let me take him home, please.
I'm sorry, I can't overlook an incident with a weapon.
I promise you, I'll keep an eye on him.
He's not himself.
He's not slept for 24 hours.
Alright, I'll put this down to mitigating circumstances.
Now get him out of my sight before I change my mind.
Go and wait in the car.
Just leave it Lee!
Is he right though?
What?
Was Dad murdered?
We don't know.
So why are you talking to Connock?
Because clearly he's a person of interest.
Now please take your brother home and leave this to us.
I won't ask you again.
It's my fault.
He got me into a corner.
Oh, outwitted by a bereaved relative.
That's very impressive.
Now can I trust you to take care of that.
Ma'am
That could've got nasty.
Well let's keep a uniform presence down here.
Mr. Connock says he wants to press charges.
Oh fantastic, that's all we need.
I'll tell you later.
Understand you want to press charges?
Yeah.
You sure about that.
Yeah.
Do you see what we've had to deal with?
Listen the lad's just lost his dad, he's angry.
We lost our dad.
You don't see us running around waving knives.
Do you want to tell me a little bit more about that?
Oh, two sudden deaths in two years, small locality,
What d'you want to know?
Just start at the beginning, ay?
A phone call, middle of the night.
Police saying get down to the Harbour.
I reckon you could have seen the smoke a mile out at sea,
flames through the roof.
There was nothing doing was there.
All we could do was stand there and watch it burn.
Didn't even cross our minds
that he could have been in there.
Don't know whether he tried to tackle it--
They didn't find his body for three days.
Still just look at this place.
You've done good to pick up the pieces.
Yeah, she's the one's done it.
It's always the women sort things out around here.
What makes you so sure Tommy started it?
Him and dad had a huge fall just before, vicious it was,
he said, Tommy said me Dad had been fixing prices.
And was he?
No, Tommy let the business slide after his wife died,
blamed everybody but himself for his problems,
spent most of his time getting pissed in the pub.
They all fell in line with it though, didn't they.
We just wanted to put it all behind us.
Can anybody vouch for you
at the benefit on Saturday night?
Every trawlerman that wasn't out at sea.
we had a lock until two.
She was there and all.
I left around 11, went home, early start.
Okay, now if Lee Stonnall shows his face again,
He won't, he's all talk that one.
[Aiden] Seems as though there were all on their uppers.
Fighting to survive.
Start turning on each other.
Right, now what about Tommy's phone logs, anything?
Nothing so far.
Well get on to the station.
Give them a kick up the arse.
I heard about the fight.
Ah it never came to that.
What when I saw Tommy's body
I knew that would be trouble.
Was it foul play?
Now you know better than to ask me that.
Did Tommy ever confide in you about his troubles.
Well, I knew he was ashamed of where he'd ended up,
his heart was out at sea, champion skipper.
Hmm?
Yeah, pretty decent dad, once.
Not the bad lot that some people made him out to be.
Was there anyone else out to get him?
Apart from Jay Connock.
Can't think of anybody who wanted him dead.
Okay, thanks, Ma'am?
Tommy's mobile was a pay as you go number,
hadn't used it in a while.
Well has anyone called it?
Just rings out.
Erm, you wouldn't happen to know where Tommy went
those missing weeks?
I'm sorry I can't be more help.
D'you know where they hauled him in?
Why yes, all the trawlers have got GPS.
So you can pinpoint the exact position of the boat.
Oh right, so how far
would the body have drifted?
Well he'd been dead what, 24 hours?
Give or take.
Well the current would have taken him down the coast
say a couple of miles.
So if we work backwards,
could you show me on your chart?
I could do better than that.
If you fancy a boat trip, you could see for yourself.
You know, you're contravening health and safety?
Aye, probably.
-Here, -[keys clink]
I'll keep you informed.
[dramatic music]
[machine beeping]
Now, this is where they found him.
You feel it?
[Vera] Aye.
The tide, how strong it is?
The rip current.
Aye it comes straight off the coast there.
Catch you by surprise if you're not careful
you lose your engine, you're swept out to sea.
Where's the nearest Headland?
Blyth Point
It's pretty secluded has a stretch of beach at low tide.
Can you get us up close there, drop me off?
-Aye -Yeah?
[bird chirping]
[car horn honks]
I've gone through four seasons waiting for you.
What took you so long?
Well I don't know.
Maybe it was the old banger that I'm driving.
Get some officers down here for a search
owners of these boats, permits, mooring rights, the lot.
Got it?
Got it.
DS Healy, yeah, I need uniform down here.
Anything, Ma'am?
It's a wallet.
T. Stonnall.
Tommy.
Did Tommy own a van?
Is that blood?
Looks like it.
Get forensics down here.
I think we're looking at our crime scene.
Ta.
Ma'am, we've cordoned off a slipway,
we're just waiting for forensics.
Although it might take a while
to identify who owns these huts.
Right, well give them that wallet.
And meanwhile, take a stroll down this road.
See if you meet anyone, talk to hikers, dog walkers.
Did they see anything on Saturday night?
Will do.
Aiden, get your Google working.
Berkeley Lane cafe, found a load of till receipts
and the latest one is dated Saturday.
Everything okay?
Yeah.
Table for two?
Northumberland and city police.
This man came in for a bite to eat.
Four days ago, about 2:30 PM.
Do you recognise him?
Sorry, no, I don't remember
busy Saturday,
Zahra.
If you like, you can talk to the boss.
Yes, see if he knows anything.
Kenny, what have you got.
There's still no leads on the hut owners yet.
[Vera] Well have you got any good news for me?
Oh, the blood found in the van is definitely Tommy's.
We're just waiting on DNA checks.
Ma'am, you still there?
Yes, yes, I'm here.
Well, tell them to fast track it and get back to me.
I need to know if there was anyone else in that van.
[Kenny] Will do.
I'm sorry I can't be more help mate,
I don't recognise him.
Do you have any CCTV?
[Cafe Owner] No need for it, what's he wanted for anyway?
Oh, nothing disappeared a few days ago.
Just making inquiries.
And it's possible he was murdered.
So it's important that you think long and hard.
Do you want to have another look at that, pet?
You know what I do recognise him.
I think he's been talking to Zahra.
Yeah, I think he's been in a few times.
Aiden she's legging it.
[Aiden] Zahra, we just want to ask you some questions!
[lorry horn honking]
[cars beeping]
She took off like the clappers.
There must be a reason.
[Cafe Owner] Well, I can't enlighten you.
Can't you?
How long has she worked here?
About six months, we're short staffed.
Tommy brought her in.
Ah, you even know his name.
Now I come to think of it.
Yeah, yeah I do.
He was just another regular face around here.
Ran across the dual carriageway,
nearly got herself killed.
Must have been desperate.
He ever come in here with anyone else?
Always on his own.
Did you speak to him on Saturday?
I give him a wave and that was it.
He hadn't been in for a few weeks.
Now has she left a handbag or anything,
personal belongings.
Phone's locked.
Well, this isn't much to go on.
I give her a lift home one night.
Fair deal B&B, it's over in Seaham.
Hi love, we're looking for one of your guests.
Zahra Suleiman.
Zahra Suleiman, what's she done?
I just need to talk to her, she in?
She went out this morning as usual hadn't seen her since.
How long she been here?
Been here a few months,
She claiming benefits?
Most of them are in this place.
Oh, looks like you're doing all right on it and all.
My rooms are full, everyone's happy.
Zahra was working in the cafe.
Did a runner when we questioned her.
On the fiddle is she.
Oh, we got bigger things to worry about.
Like I said, playing system,
if they wanna take the chances that's their look out.
Here hold on, d'you know this fella?
That's Tommy got room at the back, first floor.
He lives here?
Moved in about six weeks ago.
It's just old clothes, nothing we can work with.
[Vera] Foreign fags.
Get that bagged up.
Find what you needed?
D'you think Zahra Suleiman will show her face?
Now she knows we're onto her.
I bloody hope so, that kid of hers
will be wanting his tea.
Police station called they're releasing his body.
We need to register death, organise a wake.
I cannot do it all on me own, Lee.
Hello, baby, what's this.
Hello, love.
When I saw you at the cafe, I panicked.
If they found out I was working,
they would take away my benefits.
Oh, it's a bit of a risk.
I needed the money.
Tommy Stonnall, you told me you didn't know him.
I don't, not really.
He lives here in this hostel.
He got you that job at the cafe.
One of the girls said he could help you.
That was good of them.
He knew the manager, they were looking for staff.
I don't know, I saw him once in a while in the cafe,
I tried my best to avoid him.
Why's that then?
Not in front of my son.
Can he play whilst we talk, please?
You were saying?
He liked to drink.
Plenty of them do in here.
It isn't good for Ahmanuel.
Do you know if Tommy was working?
We know he drove a van.
Who knows what he was involved in.
What you didn't ask about his work, background, family.
You don't ask those kinds of questions.
Like I said, I barely knew him.
Do you know if he had any visitors?
I heard them arguing one night last week.
Who was he arguing with?
I just heard raised voices.
I was walking past his room, a man, he was angry.
What were they arguing about?
It's none of my business, keep to ourselves in this place.
It's easier that way.
Are you going to the report me?
[child laughing]
That's not my department, love.
But you have a care, not everyone is quite so understanding.
Oh, Hicham you got no home to go to?
I'm just off.
I've got some information on that van.
It was bought second hand from a dealer in Sunderland,
sold to a business.
Michael Quinn's fisheries, seems it was never registered.
Michael Quinn?
Yes, questioned him yesterday.
He's one of the skippers from the harbour,
he's got the big trawler.
Yeah, I know who he is,
bit mouthy, thinks he's the big man.
Is it enough to bring him in for questioning?
Well let's see, he's taken an interest in the case.
Knows the coastline like the back of his hand.
His van has our victim's blood on it.
What do you think?
Yes, get him in.
Well done.
Hicham, on second thoughts get Kenny and Aiden back in.
I think there's a better way to tackle our Mr. Quinn.
Would you call yourself a sweet man, or a savoury man?
[Aiden] Sweet, or I am tonight anyway.
Kenny, anything?
Eh nothing to report yet, Ma'am.
If Tommy was bringing in contraband,
could have got himself involved with the wrong people.
Well if he was, he's already involved
with the wrong people.
Might explain why he disappeared.
But why come back?
Wants to see his kids?
Yeah, but he didn't try to contact them.
Maybe he didn't get the chance.
[suspenseful music]
Ma'am, think our boat's just come in.
Trawler approaching the harbour.
We've got a van on the quay, Ma'am.
We can see it.
[police sirens wailing]
Hello, didn't expect to see you here.
Moonlighting are we?
I'm just picking up a catch.
Mr. Quinn, I have here a warrant to search your vessel.
On what grounds?
What's all this about?
Come on, this is ridiculous.
I've got to get the stuff up top.
Yeah, we'll try not to keep you too long, Mr. Quinn.
Check down there.
-Anything? -Nothing.
Anything?
Nothing, Ma'am.
Are we done here?
Lift this up.
Lift that up.
Please?
Fags, you got me.
Take him up.
What's down there?
It's the engine room.
Put the ladder down.
Aiden.
Where'd you pick them up from?
We'll find out soon enough.
I didn't even know they were on the boat.
Slipped a board while your back was turned, did they?
You must have had contacts.
Slick operation?
I don't know way you're talking about.
Human trafficking.
Does that spell it out for you?
Look, I brought in some dodgy fags.
But smuggling people, not in a million years.
Well, let's see what Lee has to say.
Recognise this vehicle?
No, I can't say I do.
We think Tommy Stonnall was driving it.
Well, it's got nothing to do with me.
Oh, that's funny.
It was bought by your company.
I sold the van to Tommy a couple of months ago.
He said he needed wheels.
Now that's a lie.
Tommy was skint.
It's not even worth the money for scrap.
I think Tommy was driving it for you.
these nighttime cruises, you've been running.
I think he was taking those poor buggers to wherever it was
you wanted them left.
You can think whatever you like.
Oh, we found the van yesterday, by the way,
up at Blyth Point.
It's got Tommy's blood on it.
So we do have a connection to you.
Where were you Saturday night?
I was at home with the missus, ring her she'll tell ya.
That's another lie.
GPS record of your trawler's movements.
You were at sea, you hadn't logged the trip,
so I'm guessing you weren't fishing.
I was at sea, we picked up in Holland,
but I wasn't dumping a body.
You told me, you thought Tommy had lost his bottle.
What did you mean by that?
Aye, he'd lost the plot recently, everybody knew it.
Did he know you were bringing in this consignment?
I haven't seen or heard from Tommy for weeks.
He used to drive for us, but then he packed it in
said he'd had enough.
Why would I kill him?
If he threatened to spill the beans?
That might ruin a nice earner.
I've done a lot of things I'm not proud of in my life.
But I'm not a killer.
What's he been telling you.
Enough.
We never harmed anyone.
That's what he said and all.
Worth the risk, was it?
14 years inside?
How long have you been doing it?
A few months, I just pick them up, that's all.
I drop them where I'm told to.
By who?
Who tells you where to take them?
Quinn.
I don't know who runs it, I just dealt with Quinn.
And what about your dad?
Quit out the blue, Quinn asked me to jump in, you know,
a few weeks later, didn't see the harm,
look what am I charged with?
That van your dad drives, belongs to Quinn.
He said he sold it to him.
So?
We found your dad's blood on the vehicle.
Up at Blyth Point.
We're questioning Quinn as a murder suspect.
Nah, couldn't have.
He was with me, best part the night.
You were both together.
You don't think.
I wouldn't harm me dad.
The night your dad died.
Take me through your movements from the time you got in.
And I know you got back in the early hours.
I drove the van to the drop off point,
a warehouse near Rotham Colliery.
I came back home.
To?
Steve's, been staying at his awhile.
Keeping him company, since he split from his wife.
And what time was that?
Early hours fourish.
Can he vouch for you?
He was in bed.
Did you see him, d'you check?
Why would I?
So when did you last see your brother that day?
Around lunchtime, what is this about?
Only he told us he was with you on Saturday night.
Forensics have checked Quinn's trawler.
No evidence to place Tommy there.
It's got to be connected to the smuggling, hasn't it?
I mean, if it's not Quinn,
then it must be somebody higher up the chain.
Ma'am, you'll want to see this.
Steve Stonnall's car.
It flagged up when you asked us to run the plates.
Taken at a car park in the city centre, 7:23 PM.
The night his dad died.
Right side of the screen.
Who is that fella?
We're still trying to track him down.
Ooh, not happy.
Can you play that again?
Right stop, now zoom in.
[Hicham] Let me brighten it up.
Well, whoever he is,
he's certainly got it in for Steve Stonnall, hasn't he?
The question is who is this fella?
Is he an angry fisherman?
One of Quinn's drivers, middleman, what?
I followed the footage down the street.
He goes into a hairdressers on River Street.
And where does Steve go next?
Car goes round the corner to Faith street.
No photos, but I think it stays parked
until the tickets paid later that night.
Do we see him come out of the car park?
No, so was he in the car all that time.
Hiding from this fella maybe.
Hang on, hang on.
This could just be a random punch-up over a parking spot.
Doesn't mean it's related to the dad's death, does it.
Yeah, but he told us he was home all night
doing the accounts with his brother, didn't he?
I mean, this is a funny thing to slip your mind, isn't it?
[Hairdresser] If you take a seat
she'll be with you in a second.
Hello.
Hello love, DCI Vera Stanhope.
I'm looking for this fella, do you know him?
Just a second.
Can I help?
I think possibly you can.
We're investigating an incident on Saturday night.
Can you confirm that that is you?
Hang on, this isn't fair.
He was protecting me.
So this is you in the photograph?
Yes, but we're the victims here.
Steve's the one you should be going after.
So you know Steve Stonnall?
Course I do, I'm Karen, I'm his wife.
We're just going to eat.
I'm sorry, it's important.
Oh smells lovely.
Down the end.
Fish and chips, making me feel hungry.
Nah, you're not allowed to speak to us without me brief.
Hey, it's not you I want.
Now Steve, I need to talk to you again
about the night your dad died.
Why?
The fight.
[Aiden] In town.
What fight in town?
[Vera] I've been talking to your ex-wife, Karen.
Can we do this outside.
I wasn't stalking, I just wanted to be like near her.
What you've seen him, he's a waste of space.
[Aiden] I think you're best off
just leaving her alone, mate.
[Vera] What happened after the altercation?
Drove off,
I went out on the air.
With anyone?
No one.
So we've already got your word for it.
I got chucked out of The Feathers on Marshall street.
They'll vouch for us.
Now, you must have known about the trafficking.
Why didn't you tell us?
It's my kid brother.
I did warn him.
We don't need the money that badly.
Well, that's why your dad did it, isn't it?
I suppose, I dunno.
[Vera] So what changed?
What happened to make him want to chuck it all in,
vanish the way he did?
In the weeks leading up to him disappearing,
he became obsessed about how messed up the world was.
You know, like reading the papers,
watching the news all the time, going on about it.
I tried to ask him about the boat, but...
He just seemed to care more about that than any of us.
[people talking quietly]
Could you take Ahmanuel for me, you go ahead now, okay.
Please, I've told you everything I know
about Tommy already.
Oh that's nice, but with the greatest respect love,
I think your was spinning me a load of absolute claptrap.
I think you met Tommy in entirely different way.
And, unless you start telling me the truth.
My blind eye to your circumstances
might become a little less forgiving.
We know Quinn was bringing people into the country.
And I think you met Tommy when he drove you
from wherever you landed.
I'm from Paris.
I'm an EU citizen.
Oh, well that's good
because you'll understand obstructing a police inquiry
is a criminal offence.
Okay, he drove us in.
What, with 5,000 packets of fags?
No fish, frozen, dead, they didn't care.
Well, that's why they make it a crime, love
to stop people being carted like cattle.
If you had a claim,
there are legitimate ways in.
They are the criminals.
Not me, they are the ones making money.
Our clothes were wet.
They were shouting at us, pushing us like animals.
And I had to pay for that?
And was Tommy part of this?
Yes, no.
Yes, but he was different.
He had a jacket.
They're not supposed to help in case they're asked.
Gave us the jacket, made sure we were safe
and came back to visit us.
That's how we ended up at the hostel.
Did he give you money?
No, we had no money.
Was he in love with you pet?
He said so, but he didn't mean it.
You said you've heard raised voices,
coming from Tommy's room.
Was that the truth?
Tommy never had visitors.
When d'you last see him?
That Saturday at the cafe.
Did he ever mention you might be moving on
from the hostel?
No, I said I was leaving, I can't afford the rent.
Everything I earn is to pay for that debt.
How did Tommy react to this?
He said he was going to put everything right at home.
Then come back.
What do you mean by that?
I don't know.
He just seemed like there was a relief, you know?
On the brink of sorting his life out
someone decides to kill him.
Sad that, isn't it?
Just, when he was getting his act together.
She said he was going to sort things out at home.
What's that mean?
Coming up to your stop.
Get yourself some kip.
Start me next shift, more like.
Oh, that reminds me, hold on.
For the bairn, go on.
How long's it been back there?
How old's the baby?
He's two months.
Oh, two months then, go on.
Thanks.
Enjoy your night shift.
I'll drink your health shall I?
Not exactly ladies night, is it.
Nah, would you like a crisp.
We've arrested Michael Quinn.
I heard.
Did you know what he was up to?
I had my suspicions.
But you kept your suspicions to yourself.
I've known most of these lads around here,
ever since they were kids,
I suppose I just turned a blind eye.
Ah well you wouldn't be the first.
I wanted to give people the benefit of the doubt.
Am I going to be investigated?
Hard to say.
You given anyone else the benefit of the doubt,
regarding Tommy, I mean.
I don't want to get people into trouble.
Look, I sometimes receive information
that gets people out of trouble.
Do you?
Hmm, so why don't you tell me what you know,
and let me decide what to make of it.
On the night of the benefit.
I saw Ellie Connock on a slip road
and let's put it this way,
she was not pointing in the direction of her home.
Well was she heading?
You know that place I took you out to the other day?
Blyth Point
Blyth Point.
Okay, that's useful, thanks.
I just don't want to make it worse for the Connocks.
They've had a harder time than most.
It's just that desperate people do desperate things.
[dramatic music]
Kenny.
Ma'am.
D'you find anything on Ellie's car?
Yeah, she passed through the camera near Blyth Point
around 10 on the night Tommy died.
She didn't pass back again until nearly a day later.
Great, so she might've seen our Tommy
before he went off on his late night trip.
[Kenny] Yeah.
What's going on here?
Bailiffs, clearly not raking it in then.
[Kenny] No.
Mr. Connock, I need to speak to your sister.
She around?
I don't know, I can't get all of her anywhere.
Well, I do need to talk to her.
Ellie, right, call me as soon as you can, right?
It's urgent.
When did this all kickoff?
Last week, some time.
When last week?
Before Tommy Stonnall was found?
Aye, before.
Now, what time your sister go out?
About an hour ago.
Look we've got nothing to do with his death.
Kenny looks like she's done a disappearing act.
So let's get her photo through to uniform.
I will do, Ma'am.
There's been a fire in a cobble on Blyth Point
belongs to Jack Marshbrook.
What, Jack, he's got a boat moored at Blyth Point?
Apparently so.
Well none of the family
mentioned that little nugget.
Right, Kenny, photos.
Ma'am.
[Aiden] How long you had it?
About eight or nine years.
You always had it?
No, it's not mine, it's my mam's.
And where is she?
She went swimming, first thing.
She wouldn't come past this way.
Well where does she swim?
Don't know, Whitley probably, I left her a message.
Now, you've had a bit of a shock to the system.
Now my officer here, she'll take you back up home.
Now if there's anything to update you on, I'll do it myself.
All right.
Okay.
Any sign of any bodies?
No, nothing.
What happened, did the fuel go up?
No, it's unclear,
but there are traces of blood in the keel.
Well, quick as you can with forensics on that.
Who else has access to it?
No one, as far as I know, just Jack and his mom.
Where are the keys to the boat stored?
In that hut with the yellow windows.
So potentially anybody could walk in and get them.
That's there's and all is it?
[soft music]
Let's go inside.
[dramatic music]
What have you found out?
There's no update as such, I'm afraid.
Yeah, can we come in love?
Ooh, are we disturbing you?
You got company?
It's just a mate.
Ellie,
Aiden.
Come on in pet.
That beach hut, ooh,
it's a right little love shack, isn't it?
I'm sorry, it's just our families.
Oh, I know Romeo and Juliet of the fishing world.
We're seeing each other, so what?
So what?
Well, Ellie here was caught driving on the road
to Blyth Point, 10:00 PM, the night that Tommy was killed.
And?
And Blyth Point is where we believe his body
entered the water.
Uniforms have located the mother.
Oh, how she take it?
In shock, apparently.
Not surprised, that water's 15 degrees.
So do you admit you lied
about your whereabouts this weekend?
Yes, but that was because I was with Jack.
Oh, the Stonnalls don't approve of outsiders, ay?
Something like that.
It doesn't mean I got anything to do with Tommy though.
But you lied about your alibi.
You've connections with the scene.
Yeah but I have no reason to kill him.
Oh, I thought you blamed Tommy for your dad's death.
So it could have been revenge,
or you don't blame Tommy because you know the truth.
Well, it looks like the fish market
was in financial trouble,
long before Tommy started kicking off.
Payday loans, credit cards maxed out,
remortgaged to the ears.
So did you or your brother burn the place down?
No.
See, I think you did.
And I think Tommy found out that you'd implicated him.
I didn't implicate Tommy.
People got wind of the feud between him and dad.
And that was that.
But you didn't enlighten them, did you?
You allowed him to be implicated
and that, love, destroyed his life.
It was a difficult time.
I just lost me dad.
Did you burn down the fish market?
No.
[Vera] Then who did?
Who should I be looking at?
Two deaths in 18 months.
You have connections to both victims.
It was Dad's idea.
Dad burned it down, I couldn't stop him.
Right, so I'm presuming his death
was not part of the plan course?
Of course not, Of course not.
He wanted it to look like he'd had a go at tackling it.
And I begged him not to.
But he was desperate,
lost a fortune, heavily in debt.
[Ellie] I know it was wrong.
But not so wrong that you told the truth.
Believe me, I've paid.
Did Jack know it was your dad?
No, please don't tell him.
Now see, I think he did know
but because of your secret romance, he kept it to himself.
Let people think it was Tommy.
So was Tommy going to blow the whistle?
Was that why you had to get rid of him?
Burn the boat to cover what you'd done.
No, he loved Tommy.
So it's just a coincidence, is it,
that Tommy's blood was found on the boat
moored by your love nest?
Yes.
I don't know, maybe someone's trying to implicate me.
Well, how would they do that, love,
when you say no one knew about you?
I could have been on that,
I could have slept through the whole thing.
Where's my son?
He's giving a witness statement.
Is Jack with you?
No, no, he's still helping us with our inquiries.
Why do you think your boat was targeted?
No idea.
Have you had any fallings out lately?
No.
You've had a bit of a time of it though, haven't you?
What with Tommy dying, now this.
Aye, comes in threes, I suppose.
Yes, well, given what I'm about to tell you.
We believe your boat was used to dispose of Tommy's body,
Right, by who?
We think your son helped Ellie Connock.
What?
He can't stand the lass.
He's been having a relationship with her
for the last two years.
You didn't know?
Well, I knew he was seeing someone on the sly,
I knew he was bringing someone to the hut,
but I didn't, you know what lads are like.
Well, we know Ellie Connock framed Tommy
for the fish market fire.
And we think your Jack went along with it.
No, no you're off your head, no.
Anyway we believe they used your boat
to dispose of Tommy's body
and then torched it to cover their tracks.
Which gives me a reason to charge your son
as an accessory to murder.
Well, I've got news for you, I set fire to the boat.
It was nothing to do with him.
Well, thanks for clarifying that for me, pet.
But now I'm wondering what it is you've got to hide, hm?
[soft music]
Now, why would you torch a perfectly serviceable cobble?
Not going to be an insurance jobie is it?
didn't even try to make it look like an accident.
It was just heat of the moment.
Ah, a little impulse arson.
We found Tommy's blood on the boat
and I suggest it was you who killed him
or at the very least helped dispose of his body.
And that's why you torched the boat,
to destroy any evidence.
All right.
So you really think I could kill a man?
Oh believe me, pet, women kill men.
I didn't kill Tommy.
Even though I felt like it.
He was trying to sell the trawler.
Said he wanted to pay off a debt, or something.
He said, he said he was going to keep his share
and I could split the rest with the boys.
And you didn't think to mention it.
Well, it never happened.
why would I tell you about something that never happened?
He was supposed to go to the brokers to sign it off,
but he never turned up.
Yeah, alright, alright.
So which broker?
In town.
[Vera] Where?
On River Street.
On River Street, where Steve's wife works?
When was this?
When was it?
Saturday.
So you knew when Steve was caught stalking his missus.
He was on River Street the night his father died
and that there was every chance he'd bump into his old man
on his way to sell off the family business.
And that's why you torched the boat,
to protect Steve.
I promised my sister I'd look after them.
What even though it makes you an accessory to murder?
Did you tell Lee his dad was selling the boat?
[suspenseful music]
We need a pick up on a Lee Stonnall.
Did you do it?
Did you do it.
He was going to sell everything.
Lee, no, Lee, no!
-Get off me, -Calm down,
calm down, just calm down.
Leave him, please.
No, it's you we want, pet.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry,
I'm sorry.
Pick him up.
I wasn't myself.
Karen and that fella, I just knew I'd lost her.
He trashed my car and then--
And then you saw your dad.
Okay, I see, yeah, well that makes sense.
Me dad offered me a lift back here.
Thought he was pleased to see us.
I thought maybe he was, you know, coming home.
And then what?
We had a good chat.
It's the first time he'd seemed himself
in God knows how long.
Then he just announces he's selling, you know,
I know he'd gone a bit crackers but, to give it all up
for a waitress he barely knew, he said loved her.
Stupid old man.
He said she'd stood by him
when his family hadn't.
How he just wanted to be happy.
Anyhow, we rowed.
I got out of the van.
If he hadn't of followed us, I had no intention of,
I just.
What, an unlucky punch?
You pushed him and his head hit the road?
What road was that?
Coast road.
About half a mile in land.
Ah, believe me, pet, you won't be the first
with an angry left hook that goes too far.
I remember the first time he took us out,
three days sailing to the cod banks,
we heard there was a gale blowing, force nine.
Barely caught anything, most of the fleet had headed back.
But my dad wanted to see right by the lads,
we can't go home with nothing, he said.
He pointed the boat towards the storm.
Sailed right into it, trawler nets out behind us.
He tied me to the bowel so I wouldn't go overboard.
[laughing]
I stayed there all night.
Heaving and shaking and retching,
wind was so loud, you couldn't hear yourself think,
but my dad, he never wavered.
Dawn came, sun with it.
We hauled the nets in.
Hundreds of turbot, we were kings.
Me dad split the money between the rest of the crew.
I said, I couldn't take my share.
You've earned it lad, you're a man now.
So you're on the Coast road.
Your dad's on the ground, what happens next?
I managed to get him in the van, sat with him a while.
Don't know how long, then I drove.
Ended up in Blyth Point.
Where Anna's boat is conveniently moored.
What were you thinking, son?
Go out to sea, dump his body and it would all wash away.
No, I just said my goodbyes.
I didn't think anything.
And then as cool as you like,
you took the boat back to its mooring.
If you'd just come to us in the beginning,
you'd be looking at manslaughter with mitigation, two years.
But you didn't, you took your dad's body out to sea
and you dumped him.
I won't say anymore, I want a solicitor.
You're going to need a solicitor, pet.
[melancholy music]
Families, ay, nothing but pain and trouble.
Why don't you get off home to that lovely bairn?
You've done all right for someone with no kip.
Is that a compliment?
Here's that contact you wanted.
Now he's shredded me once in the courtroom,
but he's said he'd do us some hours.
Oh, brilliant, thanks.
Nice, I'll get onto that first thing.
Yeah, hang on a minute, you've had a good result.
You've earned your day off in lieu, take it.
Listen to the man.
Go put your feet up.
The thing is unlike the rest of you lot,
I don't have to answer to anyone.
I can do what I like when I like, now goodnight.
Now this fella is an immigration lawyer.
He's the best in the area and he's agreed to do you a favour.
Thank you, I appreciate it.
I know you don't have to help me
Look, none of us own any of this.
When me mam's dad came over from Ireland in the 30s
he walked 40 miles before anyone gave him a job.
So you make what you can of it.
Thank you.
[soft music]
[water lapping]
[upbeat music]