Page 32 of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels
AF:Absolutely not. They sat as far apart as they could get. You know what kids in care are like. [A heavy pause here. EC]
AB:What are they like?
AF:Troubled. Insecure. Suspicious of others – especially adults …
AB:What happened when you got to the children’s centre?
AF:The duty manager was waiting for us. I exchanged a few formalities with her and was about to make my way back to the car, when I looked up to see Jonah with a knife in his hand. He must’ve taken it from the scene.
AB:Who was he threatening with it?
AF:He was staring at Holly, but I … in those split seconds I thought his intent was to hurt the baby. So the training kicks in, I grab his wrist, knock the knife away, get the handcuffs out. I haul him to the car to cool off. I’d confiscated the blade, but still had to make a decision. Do I take him in and at least threaten him with a charge of possession, or do I release him, on the basis the kid’s been through a lot?
AB:What decision did you make?
AF:I should have taken him in and charged him. For his own safety, at least.
AB:Sounds reasonable to me.
AF:But instead I opened the car door, unlocked the handcuffs and ushered him back to the unit. [Long pause here. EC] I drove off on my own and radioed that I was free for the next call.
AB:Why?
AF:Even now, I don’t know.
[I ignored the muted pleasantries from here on. EC]
Article printed out fromThe Booksellerdated 25 June 2021:
Kronos bag Bailey for Eclipse
The Doorstepauthor Amanda Bailey is the latest high-profile signing to Kronos Books’Eclipse. The new true crime imprint launches this autumn with titles by Minnie Davis and Craig Turner. Bailey will focus on an as yet untitled book about the Alperton Angels for publication in Q1 of 2023.
Email from amateur detective David Polneath. Sent to the contact page of my website, amandabailey.co.uk, 25 June 2021:
TO:Amanda Bailey
DATE:25 June 2021
SUBJECT:The Alperton Angels
FROM:David Polneath
Dear Amanda,
I see you’re working on a book about the Alperton Angels. I am a keen amateur sleuth and have been investigating this particular case for years. I have various theories and opinions and would like to offer my services as an assistant or a researcher, or whatever you need.
For instance, I believe Gabriel Angelis did not kill Harpinder Singh – he was convicted on a single piece of evidence that could easily have been planted. There was a cover-up which started that night and continues to this day. If you doubt what I’m saying, read all the news reports you can find online from that week. Read them, andthentell me how many bodies were found in that warehouse.
You won’t have to pay me. I’m retired and this is my hobby.
David Polneath
FaceTime interview with Maggie Keenan, manager on overnight duty at Willesden Children’s Centre on 10 December 2003, 25 June 2021. Transcribed by Ellie Cooper.
AB:Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed. I understand you no longer work in social services.
MK:No, left years ago. Not for me. Too much aggro. Not enough money or support. [I left out a long speech complaining about bureaucracy, accountability and middle management. EC]
