24. On My Son’s Life

The door to the court opened.  I took a deep breath and walked in, head held high.  I was ushered to the witness box.  Upon my arrival the Judge, asked me if I wished to stand or be seated.  I looked straight at Robinson, who was sitting in the glass room.  As he was seated I advised the Judge that I would stand.  This is or, should I say, was my time.  Now I am in the position of telling the world what happened.

I swore an oath as an Atheist and took a sip of water.  I was instructed by the Judge to face the jury and the Judge.  At this point I turned to the Judge and took this time to apologise for the language that I was about to use.  He replied, “Mr Smith, say what you will.  I’ve heard it all before.  I will take no offence.  All answers to be made in the direction of the jury.”

Mr H asked me my name, date of birth, etc. and then went on to ask me the history of my abuse.  I stood tall, listened, took a sip of water and then answered all the questions one by one.  I did not raise my voice, as the police had asked me to try not to lose my temper.  This went on for 4 or 5 hours.  I remember thinking to myself that Mr H did not mention Robinson once.  And the other thing was, before each question was answered, I took another sip and a court lady kept coming to me to give me more water.  I was worried that I was going to need to go for a pee.  But my concentration overcame this.

Then Mr H, asked me if the man that abused me was in court.  I raised my arm and pointed straight at Robinson.  I looked at the Judge and said aloud, finger still pointing, “that man, Richard John James Robinson, is the man that abused me when I was 11 years old.”  I was questioned, “Are you sure?”  Finger still pointing , I said “My son is in this court today.  It is on my son’s life that is the man that abused me when I was 11.”

Then I dropped my arm.  Turning to the Judge, I apologised  for pointing , as it is bad manners.  He smiled.  Then Mr H said “thank you” to me and sat down.