1 00:00:13,960 --> 00:00:16,960 Well, I tend to go for a seven for double knitting 2 00:00:16,960 --> 00:00:17,960 cos my tension's too tight. 3 00:00:17,960 --> 00:00:20,960 But seven-and-a-half, I think, yeah. Ta, love. 4 00:00:20,960 --> 00:00:22,960 One first-class stamp there, Megan. 5 00:00:22,960 --> 00:00:24,960 28p, please, love. How much? 6 00:00:24,960 --> 00:00:27,960 I know, daylight robbery. 7 00:00:27,960 --> 00:00:30,960 That's the Post Office for you. HE CHUCKLES 8 00:01:02,320 --> 00:01:03,960 Oh, Alan? Alan. 9 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:05,160 MAN: Alan Bates? Management. 10 00:01:05,160 --> 00:01:07,960 Oh, thugs in suits. 11 00:01:07,960 --> 00:01:09,960 You know why we're here, Alan. 12 00:01:09,960 --> 00:01:11,960 And you know you're a day early. 13 00:01:11,960 --> 00:01:13,960 MAN: Oi! There's a queue here. 14 00:01:13,960 --> 00:01:17,960 I'm sorry, ladies and gentlemen, but this post office is now closed. 15 00:01:17,960 --> 00:01:20,960 Er, not yet, it isn't. That's 2.39, Tom, please. 16 00:01:20,960 --> 00:01:23,960 Alan, come on. Let us in, please. Yeah? 17 00:01:23,960 --> 00:01:25,960 If you'd like to make an appointment 18 00:01:25,960 --> 00:01:28,960 for after my so-called contract ends, 19 00:01:28,960 --> 00:01:31,320 I shall inspect my diary for a window. 20 00:01:31,320 --> 00:01:33,480 We have a right of entry. 21 00:01:33,480 --> 00:01:35,960 I'm the sub-postmaster, so I am locked in, 22 00:01:35,960 --> 00:01:37,960 and everyone else is locked out. 23 00:01:37,960 --> 00:01:41,480 So if you want to see my accounts... 24 00:01:43,960 --> 00:01:46,960 ..you'll have to come back tomorrow. 25 00:01:47,960 --> 00:01:49,160 Right. 26 00:01:49,160 --> 00:01:51,960 Come on. We're gonna need some help. I'm calling the police. 27 00:01:53,960 --> 00:01:56,000 Sorry about that, Tom. FAINTLY: Hello. Police, please? 28 00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:58,960 I'm calling from Craig-y-Don Post Office. 29 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:03,320 They're not calling me a thief. They wouldn't dare. 30 00:02:03,320 --> 00:02:06,960 They say money's somehow gone missing from this branch, 31 00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:07,960 which it hasn't, 32 00:02:07,960 --> 00:02:10,320 and I have to pay it back, which I won't. 33 00:02:10,320 --> 00:02:12,960 So I say prove it. 34 00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:15,960 Prove that I'm wrong and you're right. 35 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:19,960 Show me the figures, but they can't or won't do that. Alan... 36 00:02:19,960 --> 00:02:22,960 So now they want to close me down to shut me up... 37 00:02:22,960 --> 00:02:23,960 That's ridiculous! 38 00:02:23,960 --> 00:02:26,320 ..because they don't want everyone knowing what I know. 39 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:27,960 Which is? 40 00:02:27,960 --> 00:02:29,960 That the fancy new computer system 41 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:33,480 that they've spent an arm and a leg on is faulty. 42 00:02:33,480 --> 00:02:37,960 No-one else has ever reported any problems with Horizon. No-one. 43 00:02:37,960 --> 00:02:39,960 I don't believe you. 44 00:02:39,960 --> 00:02:43,960 So no actual crime has been committed here today? 45 00:02:43,960 --> 00:02:49,960 Well, Post Office Limited is stealing, er, my livelihood, 46 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:53,960 my shop, my... my job, my home, 47 00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:56,960 my life savings, my good name. 48 00:02:56,960 --> 00:02:58,960 Civil matter. 49 00:02:58,960 --> 00:03:01,160 Righto. Be getting back to the day job. 50 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:03,000 Might wanna come back tomorrow, sir. 51 00:03:06,960 --> 00:03:10,000 DOOR OPENS How exactly do you sleep at night? 52 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:11,960 DOOR CLOSES 53 00:03:11,960 --> 00:03:13,960 Same time tomorrow? 54 00:03:21,960 --> 00:03:23,960 DOOR OPENS 55 00:03:25,960 --> 00:03:28,160 DOOR CLOSES It can't be just us, can it? 56 00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:34,480 Morning, Marion! Morning, Jo. 57 00:03:34,480 --> 00:03:35,960 All right? 58 00:03:36,960 --> 00:03:39,800 Hello, Jo. You all right? All right? 59 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:40,960 Morning, Jo. Hello, Jo. 60 00:03:40,960 --> 00:03:42,000 Morning, Jo. Morning, Jo. 61 00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:43,480 All right, Trevor, Nadia? 62 00:03:44,960 --> 00:03:45,960 Hi, Elaine! You look nice, Jo. 63 00:03:45,960 --> 00:03:47,960 Morning. With you in a minute. 64 00:03:47,960 --> 00:03:49,960 No rush. MAN: Morning, Jo. 65 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:51,960 Ooh! 66 00:03:54,960 --> 00:03:56,960 Ooh, you smell good. 67 00:03:56,960 --> 00:03:59,960 Don't turn your back! They'll all be gone. 68 00:03:59,960 --> 00:04:00,960 SHE CHUCKLES 69 00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:03,960 What's the matter, Diane? 70 00:04:03,960 --> 00:04:05,960 I can't find it anywhere. It's my pension book. 71 00:04:05,960 --> 00:04:09,960 I can't... can't find it anywhere. You haven't lost your pension book. 72 00:04:09,960 --> 00:04:11,960 I keep it in my drawer, remember? Oh... 73 00:04:20,960 --> 00:04:23,960 Sorry! Spinning plates. 74 00:04:23,960 --> 00:04:24,960 Well, it's as much as I can do 75 00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:27,960 to get myself into court every morning with my hair brushed. 76 00:04:27,960 --> 00:04:29,960 Er, a dozen first-class, please. 77 00:04:29,960 --> 00:04:31,960 Whisper it, legal eagle, but I'm happier baking. 78 00:04:32,960 --> 00:04:37,000 Book-keeping, accounts and computers... 79 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:39,320 not so much. Mm. 80 00:04:39,320 --> 00:04:40,960 There you go. 81 00:04:40,960 --> 00:04:42,960 Thanks, Jo. Have a good day. 82 00:04:44,960 --> 00:04:49,480 No, job, no income, nowhere to live. 83 00:04:49,480 --> 00:04:52,960 All our hopes, dreams. 84 00:04:52,960 --> 00:04:55,000 All our savings down the pan. 85 00:04:56,960 --> 00:05:01,320 It's killing us, Alan. My hair's actually falling out. 86 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:12,960 ALAN: I'm not letting the Post Office get away with it. 87 00:05:14,480 --> 00:05:15,960 They already did. 88 00:05:23,960 --> 00:05:25,960 Come on. Concentrate. 89 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:29,960 Well, I... I'm thinking somewhere quiet. 90 00:05:29,960 --> 00:05:33,960 Up in the hills. I can walk, you can paint. 91 00:05:33,960 --> 00:05:35,160 Am I not allowed to walk? 92 00:05:35,160 --> 00:05:37,480 HE CHUCKLES 93 00:05:37,480 --> 00:05:40,960 Just tell me how we're going to afford any of these places. 94 00:05:40,960 --> 00:05:44,960 We'll work. It's what people do. 95 00:05:44,960 --> 00:05:46,960 Now, come on, Suzanne. 96 00:05:46,960 --> 00:05:49,960 If we're going to walk away, let's do it with our heads held high. 97 00:05:49,960 --> 00:05:50,960 OK. 98 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:56,960 And so they head off into an uncertain future. 99 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:00,960 On the plus side... 100 00:06:00,960 --> 00:06:04,320 it won't be us hanging around on the phone any more. 101 00:06:04,320 --> 00:06:06,960 "Horizon helpline, thank you for waiting." 102 00:06:06,960 --> 00:06:08,960 Oh, no! SHE LAUGHS 103 00:06:08,960 --> 00:06:11,160 AUTOMATED VOICE: 'Horizon helpline, thank you for waiting.' 104 00:06:11,160 --> 00:06:14,960 HOLD MUSIC PLAYS 105 00:06:14,960 --> 00:06:16,960 WOMAN: 'Hello, how can I help?' Oh, hi. 106 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:19,960 Er, it's Jo Hamilton here from South Warnborough. 107 00:06:19,960 --> 00:06:21,960 I'm trying to produce this week's cash account. 108 00:06:21,960 --> 00:06:22,960 'And what's the problem?' 109 00:06:22,960 --> 00:06:25,960 I know it's probably me because I'm really rubbish with technology, 110 00:06:25,960 --> 00:06:29,960 but... I've declared my cash, I've declared my stock, 111 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:32,960 I've done it all three times, and I still can't get it to balance. 112 00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:34,000 I hate Wednesdays. JO CHUCKLES 113 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:37,320 'Hm. And what does Horizon say?' 114 00:06:37,320 --> 00:06:44,480 It says I've taken £2,032.67 more than I think I have. 115 00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:46,960 'OK, redeclare your stock holding. 116 00:06:47,960 --> 00:06:50,960 'So, that'll automatically create a discrepancy, OK? 117 00:06:50,960 --> 00:06:52,960 'It'll have inflated your cash holding. 118 00:06:52,960 --> 00:06:55,960 'So now... I want you to reverse that difference.' 119 00:06:55,960 --> 00:06:57,960 Righto. 120 00:06:58,960 --> 00:07:01,960 'So now, if you redeclare everything, it'll balance, OK?' 121 00:07:01,960 --> 00:07:03,960 This is so helpful, thank you. 122 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:05,960 Don't go away, stay with me till I've done it. 123 00:07:10,640 --> 00:07:11,960 Oh, my God! 124 00:07:11,960 --> 00:07:16,640 It... I-It's just doubled right in front of my eyes. 125 00:07:16,640 --> 00:07:18,960 Now... Now it says I'm £4,000 down. 126 00:07:18,960 --> 00:07:20,960 'It'll sort itself out, these things do. 127 00:07:20,960 --> 00:07:22,000 'In the meantime...' 128 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:24,640 But I was only doing what you told me! 129 00:07:25,960 --> 00:07:28,960 'In the meantime, you'll need to make good the loss.' 130 00:07:28,960 --> 00:07:32,960 I haven't got that money! And I don't know where it's gone! 131 00:07:32,960 --> 00:07:34,960 'I'm sorry, you are responsible for balancing your account 132 00:07:34,960 --> 00:07:36,960 'and making good any shortfalls.' 133 00:08:00,960 --> 00:08:02,960 SUZANNE: You did your best, love. 134 00:08:02,960 --> 00:08:04,960 ALAN: Well, I wrote a lot of letters. 135 00:08:04,960 --> 00:08:07,960 MPs, ministers, Post Office chairman, 136 00:08:07,960 --> 00:08:10,960 Daily Telegraph, Computer Weekly. 137 00:08:10,960 --> 00:08:12,960 I'd have thought they'd have shown an interest, at least. 138 00:08:12,960 --> 00:08:15,000 We're putting it behind us now. 139 00:08:38,960 --> 00:08:42,960 Er, I thought we were walking away? Back burner. 140 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:45,960 We did say I could have that spare room for my sewing room. 141 00:08:45,960 --> 00:08:46,960 No problem! 142 00:08:50,960 --> 00:08:53,960 Alan? Up here! 143 00:08:56,960 --> 00:08:58,960 Careful! Give us a hand. 144 00:08:58,960 --> 00:09:02,960 Do we really need to be keeping all of these? 145 00:09:02,960 --> 00:09:06,960 Just in case. I'll, er... I'll go through them all later. 146 00:09:06,960 --> 00:09:08,960 Mind your back. 147 00:09:10,960 --> 00:09:13,960 There's nothing wrong with my back. Yeah, not yet. 148 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:21,320 All put away, sorted. Almost forgotten. 149 00:09:21,320 --> 00:09:23,960 Hm, maybe things are starting to look up. 150 00:09:24,960 --> 00:09:26,960 Shall we investigate the local pub? 151 00:09:27,960 --> 00:09:30,960 Things are definitely starting to look up. 152 00:10:03,960 --> 00:10:04,960 No. 153 00:10:06,960 --> 00:10:09,640 No, no, no, no, no. 154 00:10:09,640 --> 00:10:10,960 'I'm sorry, Mum. 155 00:10:10,960 --> 00:10:12,960 'There's nothing left to take out of my wages.' 156 00:10:12,960 --> 00:10:18,640 My savings are already gone. My credit cards are maxed out. 157 00:10:18,640 --> 00:10:20,480 I know I should have told you before, 158 00:10:20,480 --> 00:10:22,640 but I didn't wanna scare you. 159 00:10:22,640 --> 00:10:23,960 It's all right, love. 160 00:10:25,960 --> 00:10:30,480 You're her husband. Tell her it's all right. 161 00:10:30,480 --> 00:10:31,960 I don't know. 162 00:10:32,960 --> 00:10:36,800 Jo... how did the post office money get lost? 163 00:10:37,960 --> 00:10:40,160 What is it you've been doing wrong? 164 00:10:40,160 --> 00:10:43,960 I don't know either. I have no idea. 165 00:10:43,960 --> 00:10:46,000 Oh, I don't wanna cry. 166 00:10:47,960 --> 00:10:49,960 I kept thinking, one day, 167 00:10:49,960 --> 00:10:52,480 some kind of electronic wizardry would kick in 168 00:10:52,480 --> 00:10:54,960 and it would just sort itself out, but it never has. 169 00:10:54,960 --> 00:11:00,960 And now the computer says my shortfall's gone up to £9,000, so... 170 00:11:03,960 --> 00:11:05,960 Remortgaging the house, though? 171 00:11:05,960 --> 00:11:08,480 I know what I'm suggesting is really awful. 172 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:11,320 But, David, there's the 40-year lease on the shop, 173 00:11:11,320 --> 00:11:13,960 and if they sack me, we'll lose everything. 174 00:11:13,960 --> 00:11:16,960 This house. Our home. 175 00:11:16,960 --> 00:11:21,800 I have to make good my shortfalls. It says so in my contract. 176 00:11:23,960 --> 00:11:25,960 I have to find the money to pay them back. 177 00:11:28,960 --> 00:11:30,960 If it draws a line under it. 178 00:11:43,960 --> 00:11:46,960 AUTOMATED VOICE: 'Horizon helpline, thank you for waiting. 179 00:11:46,960 --> 00:11:50,800 'All our agents are busy right now, but please continue to hold.' 180 00:11:50,800 --> 00:11:52,960 HOLD MUSIC PLAYS 181 00:11:52,960 --> 00:11:56,640 Dad? I can't find my trainers. Have you looked under your bed? 182 00:11:56,640 --> 00:11:57,960 Have a look. 183 00:11:58,960 --> 00:12:00,960 MAN: 'Horizon helpline, thank you for waiting.' 184 00:12:00,960 --> 00:12:03,960 Hi, yeah. It's, er... It's Lee Castleton here again, 185 00:12:03,960 --> 00:12:04,960 er, from Bridlington. 186 00:12:04,960 --> 00:12:07,960 Yeah, look me up, it's all there. 'OK, hold on.' 187 00:12:07,960 --> 00:12:10,960 Thank you. HOLD MUSIC PLAYS 188 00:12:10,960 --> 00:12:12,960 Daddy! Yeah, just go and ask your mum, love. 189 00:12:14,480 --> 00:12:16,640 'OK, yeah. I've got your file here.' 190 00:12:16,640 --> 00:12:18,960 Yeah, right. Now, you'll see from my records, 191 00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:22,960 this is the 91st time I've called you about these shortfalls. 192 00:12:22,960 --> 00:12:25,960 'Yeah, it's odd. No-one else is having these problems.' 193 00:12:25,960 --> 00:12:28,000 I-I still can't make any sense of these figures. 194 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:30,960 You know, I still wonder, someone might have hacked into my account. 195 00:12:30,960 --> 00:12:32,800 'No, no, no, that's impossible. 196 00:12:32,800 --> 00:12:34,160 'Branch accounts are totally secure.' 197 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:37,320 OK, right. So, if it's definitely something that I'm doing wrong, 198 00:12:37,320 --> 00:12:39,960 please can you just tell me what? 199 00:12:39,960 --> 00:12:42,160 'So you wanna request a visit from the auditors?' 200 00:12:42,160 --> 00:12:44,960 Yes, yes! Finally, thank you. 201 00:12:44,960 --> 00:12:46,960 They'll get to the bottom of it. Off to school. 202 00:12:46,960 --> 00:12:48,960 All right. Have a good day, kids. 203 00:12:48,960 --> 00:12:49,960 Right, I'm, erm... 204 00:12:49,960 --> 00:12:51,960 Listen, I'm gonna... I'm gonna to write it down now, 205 00:12:51,960 --> 00:12:54,640 so, yeah, they'll definitely be calling me, right? 206 00:12:54,640 --> 00:12:57,960 WOMAN: 'What you need to do is isolate your transaction. 207 00:12:57,960 --> 00:13:00,960 'You need to put in a number that is one digit higher or lower, 208 00:13:00,960 --> 00:13:02,960 'or the computer won't find it.' 209 00:13:02,960 --> 00:13:04,960 How's that supposed to work? 210 00:13:04,960 --> 00:13:07,960 'I don't know, it just works. Do it.' 211 00:13:09,960 --> 00:13:12,960 Last time it showed a loss, I had to remortgage my house. 212 00:13:12,960 --> 00:13:14,960 I can't understand why it's happened again. 213 00:13:14,960 --> 00:13:18,640 'Me neither. Nobody else has these problems. 214 00:13:18,640 --> 00:13:21,960 'You know, you must balance tonight, or you can't open in the morning.' 215 00:13:21,960 --> 00:13:25,000 I have to open in the morning, my old ladies rely on me. 216 00:13:25,000 --> 00:13:28,960 'So, one digit higher or lower. 217 00:13:28,960 --> 00:13:31,160 'Your takings must match your balance on your Horizon...' 218 00:14:57,160 --> 00:14:58,960 God forgive me. 219 00:15:06,960 --> 00:15:10,960 'I'll be fine, Mrs Goggins. The post always gets through.' 220 00:15:10,960 --> 00:15:12,960 Mummy? Mummy? 221 00:15:16,160 --> 00:15:17,960 Mummy, they're leaving. 222 00:15:22,960 --> 00:15:25,800 Mummy's just nipping down to see Daddy. I'll be back in a minute. 223 00:15:30,800 --> 00:15:32,960 Thanks for all your help, yeah (?) 224 00:15:34,960 --> 00:15:36,960 Did they find the problem? 225 00:15:36,960 --> 00:15:39,320 £26,000 has gone missing. 226 00:15:39,320 --> 00:15:41,960 You what? Twenty-six grand. 227 00:15:41,960 --> 00:15:44,960 Let's go through those figures again, right now. I'm not allowed. 228 00:15:44,960 --> 00:15:45,960 Hey? Suspended. 229 00:15:45,960 --> 00:15:48,960 Locked out my own post office till I pay it all back. 230 00:15:48,960 --> 00:15:50,960 26,000? 231 00:15:51,960 --> 00:15:53,960 What are we gonna do? 232 00:15:55,480 --> 00:15:56,960 Fight. 233 00:15:56,960 --> 00:15:58,480 ALAN GRUMBLES 234 00:16:06,480 --> 00:16:08,000 Whatever it is you're reading, Alan, 235 00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:11,960 you're doing it in an annoyingly significant manner. 236 00:16:11,960 --> 00:16:15,480 Year one of the degree, there's a core foundation course 237 00:16:15,480 --> 00:16:19,960 including programming and problem solving. 238 00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:20,960 Let's see? 239 00:16:24,800 --> 00:16:27,960 Oh, God! Computer science? 240 00:16:27,960 --> 00:16:30,960 Why don't you do English or philosophy? 241 00:16:30,960 --> 00:16:33,960 Computer science is good. It's career planning. 242 00:16:33,960 --> 00:16:36,000 In which case, why not aromatherapy 243 00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:38,160 or golf club management? 244 00:16:38,160 --> 00:16:41,800 And my student grant will help keep this roof over our heads. 245 00:16:42,960 --> 00:16:45,960 Also, we'll be able to set up a website... 246 00:16:46,960 --> 00:16:48,960 ..so people will be able to find us. 247 00:16:50,000 --> 00:16:51,960 People? 248 00:16:53,960 --> 00:16:56,160 Meaning sub-postmasters? 249 00:16:57,960 --> 00:17:00,000 Three years since we lost the Post Office 250 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:02,960 and, "Come on, Suzanne, we're walking away." 251 00:17:02,960 --> 00:17:06,320 Has a single day gone by when you've thought about anything else? 252 00:17:10,960 --> 00:17:11,960 I got a job. 253 00:17:13,960 --> 00:17:14,960 Teaching? 254 00:17:16,960 --> 00:17:19,960 Cleaning. Offices. 255 00:17:20,960 --> 00:17:22,960 I start next week. 256 00:17:24,960 --> 00:17:26,960 No shame in it, is there? 257 00:17:33,000 --> 00:17:34,480 One day... 258 00:17:35,960 --> 00:17:36,960 One day, what? 259 00:17:37,960 --> 00:17:39,960 ..we'll get the bastards. 260 00:17:45,960 --> 00:17:47,960 Right, Millie, you've been quiet all the way home. 261 00:17:47,960 --> 00:17:50,960 What's bothering you? Don't tell her. 262 00:17:50,960 --> 00:17:52,960 Er, don't tell me what? 263 00:17:52,960 --> 00:17:56,640 That boy made a big spit in Millie's hair. 264 00:17:56,640 --> 00:17:57,960 He did what? 265 00:17:57,960 --> 00:18:00,960 The same one who said Dad stole lots of money off old people. 266 00:18:02,320 --> 00:18:03,960 Millie? 267 00:18:04,960 --> 00:18:07,960 You know that's not true, OK? 268 00:18:07,960 --> 00:18:09,960 Your dad is not a thief. 269 00:18:11,320 --> 00:18:12,960 He's not. 270 00:18:14,640 --> 00:18:17,960 Go on, go upstairs. Go and play. I'll be up in a minute, OK? 271 00:18:22,320 --> 00:18:23,960 Now, look at this! Look, look! 272 00:18:23,960 --> 00:18:27,000 I've been through these 100 times. I haven't seen it before. Look. 273 00:18:27,000 --> 00:18:28,960 I'm gonna have to talk to the school. 274 00:18:28,960 --> 00:18:32,960 23rd of March, right? I'm logged in on terminal one. 275 00:18:32,960 --> 00:18:37,960 I put in the transaction... and it shows up on terminal two. 276 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:41,960 That should never happen. That's proof! 277 00:18:41,960 --> 00:18:43,960 It's proof there's something wrong with the system! 278 00:18:43,960 --> 00:18:47,960 Lee. The children. The bullying is getting worse. 279 00:18:49,800 --> 00:18:50,960 I know. 280 00:18:51,960 --> 00:18:55,960 The only way to stop it is to prove that I'm not a thief. 281 00:18:55,960 --> 00:18:58,960 Right? It must be a bug. It must be... 282 00:18:58,960 --> 00:19:02,960 It must be a computer bug or... or something. 283 00:19:03,960 --> 00:19:06,960 Right. What are you doing? 284 00:19:08,960 --> 00:19:12,960 Lee? Look, there's 15,000 post offices on that list. 285 00:19:12,960 --> 00:19:14,960 Are you just gonna randomly call them all up 286 00:19:14,960 --> 00:19:15,960 and ask if their computer is broken? 287 00:19:15,960 --> 00:19:18,160 How else am I gonna find someone with the same problem 288 00:19:18,160 --> 00:19:19,960 before my case goes to court? 289 00:19:19,960 --> 00:19:21,960 I've got to show 'em it's not just me. 290 00:19:21,960 --> 00:19:27,960 Lisa, the Post Office are suing us for £26,000 which we didn't steal 291 00:19:27,960 --> 00:19:30,960 and we haven't got hanging around in piggy banks. 292 00:19:33,960 --> 00:19:34,960 PHONE DIALLING OK. 293 00:19:34,960 --> 00:19:36,960 MAN: 'Hello, Oxford Road Post Office.' 294 00:19:36,960 --> 00:19:39,160 Hello, yeah. I'm really sorry to bother you. 295 00:19:39,160 --> 00:19:41,800 My name's Lee Castleton, and I... 296 00:19:41,800 --> 00:19:43,960 'Sorry, mate, I don't take cold calls.' 297 00:19:43,960 --> 00:19:46,640 LINE DISCONNECTS 298 00:19:46,640 --> 00:19:49,640 It's all right, I'll just call the next one. 299 00:19:55,960 --> 00:19:56,960 PHONE DIALLING 300 00:19:56,960 --> 00:19:57,960 WHISPERS: Please. 301 00:20:04,160 --> 00:20:05,960 KNOCK AT DOOR Jo? 302 00:20:06,960 --> 00:20:10,960 Jo! Don't come in here, Mum. 303 00:20:10,960 --> 00:20:13,800 Well, you can't keep working these hours. 304 00:20:13,800 --> 00:20:14,960 You'll kill yourself. 305 00:20:15,960 --> 00:20:19,960 Oh, Jo. Love... 306 00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:22,960 I don't know what I'm doing wrong. 307 00:20:22,960 --> 00:20:26,960 I keep trying over and over, and I can't make it work. 308 00:20:26,960 --> 00:20:29,320 The numbers, they just slide away from me, 309 00:20:29,320 --> 00:20:30,960 and I don't know where the money is. 310 00:20:30,960 --> 00:20:32,480 I don't know where it's gone. 311 00:20:32,480 --> 00:20:36,160 They need to send someone down here to sort this out. 312 00:20:36,160 --> 00:20:38,960 No, no, they'll sack me! 313 00:20:38,960 --> 00:20:43,960 Oh, Jo... You need help. 314 00:20:47,960 --> 00:20:50,960 JO SOBS 315 00:20:59,960 --> 00:21:01,960 Mrs Hamilton? 316 00:21:01,960 --> 00:21:04,960 I'm Ryan Fleming, from the investigations team? 317 00:21:04,960 --> 00:21:07,640 Thank you. I'll need those keys. 318 00:21:07,640 --> 00:21:09,000 Oh, of course, yes. 319 00:21:15,960 --> 00:21:16,960 Morning, Jo! 320 00:21:21,960 --> 00:21:24,960 What's going on? Nothing! 321 00:21:30,960 --> 00:21:33,960 Mrs Hamilton, are you surprised to learn 322 00:21:33,960 --> 00:21:37,960 that the audit you requested found a shortfall 323 00:21:37,960 --> 00:21:42,000 of £36,644.89? 324 00:21:43,960 --> 00:21:47,800 I've never been able to get to grips with the system, 325 00:21:47,800 --> 00:21:49,320 and when I tried to get help... 326 00:21:49,320 --> 00:21:51,960 As you must know, your contract with us 327 00:21:51,960 --> 00:21:54,960 makes clear losses are your responsibility. 328 00:21:54,960 --> 00:21:56,960 Like, once, I was on the phone to the helpline, 329 00:21:56,960 --> 00:22:00,960 and it doubled, it just doubled, the shortfall, before my very eyes. 330 00:22:00,960 --> 00:22:02,960 Mrs Hamilton, this is public money. 331 00:22:02,960 --> 00:22:05,480 We need to talk about how you are gonna pay it back. 332 00:22:05,480 --> 00:22:07,960 Sizing this place up for the bailiffs? 333 00:22:07,960 --> 00:22:10,960 Let me tell you, this house is my house, too, 334 00:22:10,960 --> 00:22:13,480 so you can keep your thieving hands off it. 335 00:22:13,480 --> 00:22:16,960 And tell your evil bosses I said so. 336 00:22:16,960 --> 00:22:18,480 The shortfalls we uncovered today 337 00:22:18,480 --> 00:22:21,960 do not appear in any of the weekly accounts you've been submitting. 338 00:22:21,960 --> 00:22:24,480 My daughter is not a thief. 339 00:22:24,480 --> 00:22:27,960 A formal investigation will follow. No, can I just say something? 340 00:22:29,960 --> 00:22:33,800 Why would I do this? I love my post office. 341 00:22:33,800 --> 00:22:36,960 Until then, I'm suspending you, Mrs Hamilton, with immediate effect. 342 00:22:43,960 --> 00:22:45,160 DOORBELL RINGS 343 00:22:46,960 --> 00:22:49,960 Jo! Hello. 344 00:22:49,960 --> 00:22:52,960 I think I might need a solicitor. 345 00:22:52,960 --> 00:22:56,960 Oh, erm, but I do... I-I mainly just do criminal work? 346 00:22:56,960 --> 00:22:58,960 That's good. That's great. 347 00:23:05,960 --> 00:23:07,960 You do not have to say anything, 348 00:23:07,960 --> 00:23:09,960 but it may harm your defence if you do not mention 349 00:23:09,960 --> 00:23:12,960 when questioned something which you later rely on in court. 350 00:23:12,960 --> 00:23:15,640 Anything you do say may be given in evidence. 351 00:23:21,960 --> 00:23:26,960 This is your cash account final for Week 24. 352 00:23:26,960 --> 00:23:27,960 Is that your signature? 353 00:23:29,960 --> 00:23:30,960 No comment. 354 00:23:35,960 --> 00:23:39,320 This is your branch trading statement for period ten. 355 00:23:39,320 --> 00:23:46,480 It states that the cash-in-hand figure is £35,515.83. 356 00:23:47,960 --> 00:23:50,000 Is that a true amount of the cash on hand 357 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:51,960 for that transaction statement? 358 00:23:51,960 --> 00:23:53,960 No comment. 359 00:23:55,640 --> 00:23:58,960 Have you deliberately inflated that cash figure... 360 00:23:59,960 --> 00:24:00,960 No comment. 361 00:24:00,960 --> 00:24:03,960 ..to cover the fact that you've been stealing Post Office money? 362 00:24:03,960 --> 00:24:05,960 No comment. 363 00:24:07,960 --> 00:24:09,480 Where's the money, Jo? 364 00:24:10,800 --> 00:24:12,960 What have you spent it on? 365 00:24:12,960 --> 00:24:13,960 No comment. 366 00:24:19,960 --> 00:24:21,960 It was good to have a rehearsal, I suppose... 367 00:24:21,960 --> 00:24:23,960 Mm-hm. 368 00:24:23,960 --> 00:24:25,960 ..before I have to do it properly with the police. 369 00:24:25,960 --> 00:24:27,960 With the police? 370 00:24:27,960 --> 00:24:30,320 Well, they'll arrest me now, for sure. 371 00:24:31,960 --> 00:24:34,960 Jo, the Post Office don't need the police. 372 00:24:36,000 --> 00:24:39,800 The Post Office has the right to run its own criminal investigations, 373 00:24:39,800 --> 00:24:41,960 all the way to the Crown Court. 374 00:24:41,960 --> 00:24:43,960 It's been that way for 300 years. 375 00:24:46,960 --> 00:24:49,320 NEWSREADER: 'Disgraced sub-postmaster Noel Thomas 376 00:24:49,320 --> 00:24:50,960 'is tonight behind bars, 377 00:24:50,960 --> 00:24:52,960 'starting a nine-month prison sentence.' 378 00:24:52,960 --> 00:24:55,960 He used to be a Federation man. 379 00:24:56,960 --> 00:24:58,960 'Caernarfon Crown Court heard today 380 00:24:58,960 --> 00:25:00,960 'that County Councillor Thomas was previously regarded 381 00:25:00,960 --> 00:25:03,960 'as honest, respectable, a pillar of his community in Anglesey.' 382 00:25:03,960 --> 00:25:05,960 REPORTER: 'What did you do with the money?' 383 00:25:05,960 --> 00:25:07,960 'The 59-year-old had earlier pleaded guilty 384 00:25:07,960 --> 00:25:11,960 'to false accounting involving sums up to £48,000.' 385 00:25:12,960 --> 00:25:15,960 Did she just say £48,000? 386 00:25:16,960 --> 00:25:19,960 Well, that's not the odd bit of shortfall. 387 00:25:19,960 --> 00:25:21,960 It's a hell of a lot of money, Suzanne. 388 00:25:23,960 --> 00:25:26,160 And he's pleaded guilty, so... 389 00:25:27,800 --> 00:25:29,960 He didn't look guilty, though, did he? 390 00:25:29,960 --> 00:25:30,960 Looked bloody terrified. 391 00:25:32,960 --> 00:25:34,960 How do we know what pressure they're putting people under? 392 00:26:03,160 --> 00:26:04,960 Everything all right? 393 00:26:05,960 --> 00:26:06,960 What is it? 394 00:26:10,960 --> 00:26:13,960 Royal Courts of Justice? In London? 395 00:26:13,960 --> 00:26:15,960 I'll be the only one there not wearing a wig. 396 00:26:17,000 --> 00:26:18,960 Oh, God, Lee... It'll be fine, it'll be fine. 397 00:26:18,960 --> 00:26:22,960 I'll just show the judge my logs, and I'll explain about Horizon. 398 00:26:22,960 --> 00:26:24,960 And I'll just tell the truth. It'll be fine. 399 00:26:24,960 --> 00:26:28,640 It's not a criminal court, is it? They're just suing us for the money. 400 00:26:28,640 --> 00:26:31,960 But, Lee, they'll have so many big lawyers, and you... 401 00:26:31,960 --> 00:26:33,960 Yeah, I know, and I'll be representing myself, yeah, 402 00:26:33,960 --> 00:26:36,960 due to the fact I haven't got a spare million quid to spend. 403 00:26:37,960 --> 00:26:40,960 Look, Lisa, we've just got to trust in the British justice system 404 00:26:40,960 --> 00:26:41,960 and everything'll be all right. 405 00:26:41,960 --> 00:26:43,960 I've just gotta tell the truth. 406 00:26:45,960 --> 00:26:47,960 It's fine. Don't worry. 407 00:26:48,960 --> 00:26:49,960 Right, erm... 408 00:27:08,960 --> 00:27:10,320 SIGHS 409 00:27:18,960 --> 00:27:20,960 It's called a plea bargain. 410 00:27:20,960 --> 00:27:22,960 The deal is the Post Office will drop the theft charge 411 00:27:22,960 --> 00:27:26,960 if you agree to plead guilty to false accounting instead. 412 00:27:26,960 --> 00:27:28,960 And the plea bargain keeps me out of prison? 413 00:27:30,960 --> 00:27:32,800 Well... 414 00:27:34,800 --> 00:27:35,960 Sorry. 415 00:27:36,960 --> 00:27:41,160 How is 14 charges of false accounting 416 00:27:41,160 --> 00:27:43,160 better than one charge of theft? 417 00:27:43,160 --> 00:27:44,960 Theft is much bigger. 418 00:27:45,960 --> 00:27:47,960 And if you fight it and the jury is not on your side, 419 00:27:47,960 --> 00:27:49,640 then you will go to prison. 420 00:27:50,960 --> 00:27:54,960 Also, there are two conditions to the plea bargain. 421 00:27:54,960 --> 00:27:57,960 The Post Office say you have to pay back all the money. 422 00:27:57,960 --> 00:27:59,960 £36,000? How am I gonna to do that? 423 00:27:59,960 --> 00:28:03,960 And you must undertake not to blame the Horizon system. 424 00:28:06,960 --> 00:28:08,960 Well, I am guilty, I am, because I did sign 425 00:28:08,960 --> 00:28:10,960 all those accounts when I knew they were wrong. 426 00:28:10,960 --> 00:28:13,960 But I never stole that money. I never saw a penny of it. 427 00:28:14,960 --> 00:28:17,800 Issy, I still don't know where it went. 428 00:28:20,960 --> 00:28:22,960 WOMAN: 'Computers drive me mad. 429 00:28:22,960 --> 00:28:25,960 'I never got used to Horizon, and I won't say I love it now, 430 00:28:25,960 --> 00:28:28,480 'but I can't claim we've had any real problems, so...' 431 00:28:28,480 --> 00:28:30,960 No, no, I appreciate you talking to me. Thank you. 432 00:28:30,960 --> 00:28:32,960 'I've gotta go. Bye-bye.' All right. Bye-bye. 433 00:28:36,960 --> 00:28:38,960 PHONE RINGS 434 00:28:40,960 --> 00:28:42,160 Hello? 435 00:28:42,160 --> 00:28:43,960 'Sorry about that, I had to nip out the back. 436 00:28:43,960 --> 00:28:46,800 'Everyone's scared to talk. 437 00:28:46,800 --> 00:28:49,480 'There's just one guy that can help.' 438 00:28:49,480 --> 00:28:52,960 Hello, yeah. I... I was hoping to speak to, er, Alan Brown? 439 00:28:52,960 --> 00:28:55,960 ALAN: 'You're Lee, right? I've been expecting your call.' 440 00:28:55,960 --> 00:28:57,960 Yeah. 'What happened here in Falkirk 441 00:28:57,960 --> 00:28:59,960 'is that one of our terminals 442 00:28:59,960 --> 00:29:01,960 'just stopped communicating with the network. 443 00:29:01,960 --> 00:29:05,000 'Horizon didn't pick it up, no alarms were ringing. 444 00:29:05,000 --> 00:29:07,960 'Some kind of bug. 445 00:29:07,960 --> 00:29:10,960 'And that bug could be affecting every office in the country 446 00:29:10,960 --> 00:29:12,960 'with more than one terminal.' That's the same thing! 447 00:29:12,960 --> 00:29:14,960 Exactly the same thing that happened here. 448 00:29:14,960 --> 00:29:17,000 You see, and they always tell you you're on your own. 449 00:29:17,000 --> 00:29:18,960 'Don't get too excited, laddie, 450 00:29:18,960 --> 00:29:20,960 'cos I'm not going on record wi' any of this.' 451 00:29:22,960 --> 00:29:24,320 Well, no, I just thought that's what you... 452 00:29:24,320 --> 00:29:26,800 'I've got thousands invested in this business, 453 00:29:26,800 --> 00:29:28,960 'and I can't afford to make an enemy of Post Office Limited.' 454 00:29:28,960 --> 00:29:30,960 Well, yeah, but what's the point...? 455 00:29:30,960 --> 00:29:33,960 'Look, I'll forward you a group email I sent some friends. 456 00:29:33,960 --> 00:29:36,480 'You can use that, if it helps.' 457 00:29:36,480 --> 00:29:39,000 Are you gonna send it now? 'Yes.' 458 00:29:39,000 --> 00:29:41,960 All right. All right, thank you. CALL DISCONNECTS 459 00:30:18,960 --> 00:30:22,960 These so-called shortfalls, they're not real. 460 00:30:22,960 --> 00:30:27,960 Your system, it produces them out of nowhere. 461 00:30:27,960 --> 00:30:32,960 I'm a systems specialist employed by Fujitsu, the manufacturer. 462 00:30:32,960 --> 00:30:33,960 I was unable to identify any basis 463 00:30:33,960 --> 00:30:36,960 on which Horizon could have caused the losses. 464 00:30:36,960 --> 00:30:40,960 Ah, no, no, you see, no, I happen to know of another branch 465 00:30:40,960 --> 00:30:42,960 where the same thing has happened. 466 00:30:42,960 --> 00:30:46,480 You must ask Mrs Chambers a question, Mr Castleton. 467 00:30:46,480 --> 00:30:49,960 Oh, OK. Sorry. Erm, just give me a... 468 00:30:49,960 --> 00:30:52,960 You mean the branch at Callendar Square in Falkirk? 469 00:30:52,960 --> 00:30:54,960 Yes, that's it, yeah. 470 00:30:54,960 --> 00:30:57,960 The exact... The exact same thing, it's happening there. 471 00:30:57,960 --> 00:31:01,960 I-I think... we both have the same computer bug. 472 00:31:01,960 --> 00:31:04,960 Yes, but the problem at Callendar Square arose 473 00:31:04,960 --> 00:31:06,960