As Alison Morgan, Altman’s junior, described Bishop’s arrest and read out edited highlights of his interview, many of us thought that this was the prosecution case coming to an end. After all, we had heard from all the witnesses, the science had been explained in simple terms and we’d watched the dignity and fortitude of the parents as we heard Bishop’s pathetic attempts to wriggle free once more. But the cunning prosecutor had one more arrow in his quiver.
‘Finally, it’s been agreed that I read some letters that the defendant sent while on remand in prison in 1987,’ Brian Altman said.
These letters emerged, not by accident, but through the diligence and painstaking attention to detail of the police and CPS. For years they had been sifting through every piece of paper they held on the case in order to gauge its relevance to either side. The letters were found languishing in an archived box, but would prove dynamite.
For the first time in five weeks, Bishop reacted.
‘It’s not agreed evidence. Stop it right now. I’m not having this shit or I’m having a retrial,’ he called from the dock.
For a moment the court was in confusion. Clearly this had all been discussed, it was just that Bishop knew what was coming. Many newspapers reported that the court had to be cleared because Bishop had kicked off and was being restrained. The truth, as ever, was far more mundane. The judge wanted to give Mr Bennathan the chance to speak with Bishop but the geography of the Old Bailey would mean that it would take an age for the accused to be escorted back to the consultation rooms in the cells to have what was hoped to be a brief chat and then to trudge back up again. The judge cleared the court only as a pragmatic alternative so counsel and client could talk there, saving probably an hour or so of precious court time and a good deal of momentum. As Libby Clark of the CPS said to me outside while we waited, ‘I don’t know why he’s asking for a retrial. Doesn’t he realize that this is his retrial?’
Those of us not in the know were intrigued. What could possibly be in these letters that would have any bearing on the case? Surely they were just tying up some loose ends, but if so, why the reaction? We soon found out.
The girl, who I will not name, was just thirteen in 1987. She came to know Bishop, and Jenny, when she was living with her mum in the same temporary accommodation as them in Kemp Town, Brighton. Bishop used to babysit for her. The letters started in the March of that year.
Dear **** how are you my love . . . I cannot do no dirty rhymes as this letter will go to the police before you get it . . . I can’t do them to Jenny neither . . . Be good for me now won’t you. Love from Russell xxxx
As the weeks went on he became bolder.
Love you must not tell Jenny a thing what I put in my letters to you. She thinks something is going on. Sorry you did not get to see me I put you on the list will do it again.
Last time you see me at the bus stop about 20 weeks ago can’t say what it was but you know. You know that I love you and you love me. Mustn’t tell Jenny about it. When we get out I think you know what we’ll end up doing.
Don’t give the letter to no one not your mum not to Jenny not to no one. If you love me you won’t . . . If you show them to Jenny she won’t let me see my kids no more.
I can get a way out of it. You’ll have to go on the pill if that’s what you want. Have to get rid of this page. There is just one thing what you can tell me are you a – or not. If you know what I mean. If not I’ve put the letter at the end.
At the foot of the page was the letter V.
Later that month his letters continued, his intentions becoming crystal clear.
How old are you now? You must be getting on for 16 so that parts ok. I must stop doing letters like this or someone will get the wrong idea. There’s just one thing I just find a way out of marrying her. I don’t want to marry no one. It’s been 115 days and I’ve had nothing. You can help me out if you know what I mean. Why do you think Jenny won’t let me go?
Bishop continued suggesting they spend some time in a bed and breakfast on his release. Then, on 28 March, he wrote:
Don’t worry I’m not going down for this. No way I’m going down for this. I’d put you on the list so you can come and see me but police won’t let me. I know how old you are baby hehe. Don’t matter though. No worry about that anyway. 16–17 weeks and I’ll be out and up to no good. Hope you can handle it cos I’m a man not a boy. All I need to do is get out of here so it can happen rather than on paper. I don’t know if you will tell me about that. When was the first time, how many times, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. Don’t tell me too much or you will get a name. It’s the one thing I miss in here. In B & B was the first time. You were 11 years old then who knows could marry one day but that’s a long way off.
Clearly his letters were not being monitored as this blatant attempt to groom a thirteen-year-old-girl went unchecked. He maintained he thought she was approaching sixteen but by referencing them staying in the same B & B, he would have known she was much younger. The final letters left even less to the imagination.
Thanks for the photos of you. Jenny won’t see the photos. You won’t handle 12 inches nor could Jenny. I can’t wait to get out and you will know all about it. I think your mum knows something is up but I don’t think she will say anything to you or me . . . I can talk her (Jenny) into doing what I like. We can have some fun. When we were in B & B some girls came up for a bit of fun. Jenny said if you go with girls as long as they aren’t dogs that’s ok just don’t do it behind my back. When I saw you today you didn’t seem to love me. If you want to just be friends that’s ok I’ll come and see you . . . I want to know where I stand.
It seemed she had, after all, been granted a visiting order which, given she was thirteen and he was charged with the sexually motivated murders of two nine-year-olds, appears negligent to the point of outrageous.
His final letter, in September 1987 – two months before his original trial – once again suggested that she go on the pill. It would not be a huge leap to infer that might just be in preparation for him abusing her in the event of an acquittal.
After those shocking letters, at 4.23 p.m. on Wednesday 21 November, five and a half weeks into the trial, Mr Brian Altman QC closed the case for the prosecution.