Gerald Elliot, a retired senior police officer, formed a neigbourhood watch programme with Leonard Dugdale and Anne Sutcliffe. They apprehended a local youth - David Bodger - whom they suspected of committing vandalism. They then took Bodger to Mrs. Sutcliffe's home for "questioning" before referring him to the police. All three are now on trial accused of actual bodily harm - Bodger alleges he was doing nothing wrong and was beaten up by them. The defendants all protest their innocence.