Everyone always says Z’s a bit of a live wire. And I can see that. I really can. Someone even had the nerve to say they thought he was ‘on the spectrum’. What’s that supposed to mean, anyway?
Zach’s a good lad. Got a bit of spirit in him, that’s all. If the modern kids weren’t so robotic – I blame all this testing – then they’d be more like him. He just stands out because he’s got a bit of personality. Good for him, I say.
My wife says he’s out of control because I’m too soft. But I’m away a lot on business and when I see my kids I don’t want to spend all my time telling them off. My dad used to take the belt to me. He was a right twat, ’scuse my French, and I swore that when I had kids I’d do it differently.
No, I didn’t see it happen. I was in the auditorium. Zach had just performed. The first I knew of it was when I heard all the screaming.
My initial thought was that it was someone screaming because they hadn’t been selected. No word of a lie.
Mr T. Williams
Phoenix Academy of Performing Arts
Surrey Police interview transcript
20 February 2016