Kersley Had he? And what were these prescriptions made out for?
Hussein Ten millilitres of Potassium Chloride.
Kersley And did you keep ai six prescriptions?
Hussein I most certainly did, Mr Kersley. I retain all prescriptions for controlled drugs for the required period of five years.
Kersley You say you served Ms Mitchell on no fewer than six occasions. Do you recall anything in particular about her?
Hussein She was a self-confident young woman and although she knew exactly what she wanted, she appeared tense, even a little nervous.
Kersley And is that what made you suspicious?
Hussein No, I was more puzzled than suspicious, because I couldn’t work out why Mr Sherwood would want to have his prescriptions made up in my small pharmacy in Wellingborough, when St George’s has a large pharmacy of its own. From my experience, doctors want drugs immediately, not some days later.
Kersley Mr Hussein, an ampoule of Potassium Chloride was found in Mr Sherwood’s bag on the night of his wife’s death. Could it have came from your shop?
Judge How can Mr Hussein know the answer to that question?
Hussein (turning to face the Judge) My Lord, if I could see the ampoule I would be able to tell if it had come from my shop.
Judge How is that possible, Mr Hussein?
Hussein Because every dangerous drug has a number displayed on its packaging which, when it is sold, has to be entered in my poisons register.
Kersley My Lord, both the poisons register and the ampoule of Potassium found in Mr Sherwood’s bag are in the court’s possession. They are numbers eleven and twenty-six on the court’s list of exhibits. Perhaps Your Lordship would be kind enough to check the entry in the register, while I ask Mr Hussein to read out the number on the ampoule of Potassium. (Judge nods his agreement.)
Barrington My Lord, I must object. This parlour game adds nothing to the evidence. After all, the ampoule of Potassium found in Mr Sherwood’s bag was unopened so what possible bearing can it have on the case?
Judge A great deal Sir James, because if this is not one of the ampoules collected from Wellingborough, it will surely work in favour of your client, as it will show that there is no proof that the other five ever left the hospital. (Jury Bailiff hands the register up to the Bench, while the Usher hands over the ampoule of Potassium to Hussein.) Please read out the number on your package, Mr Hussein.
Hussein 107293 AZ.
Judge (nods, and faces the audience) They are identical.
Kersley So there can be no doubt that the ampoule of Potassium picked up by Ms Mitchell on March the nineteenth from Mr Hussein’s shop, was the one found in the defendant’s bag on the night of Mrs Sherwood’s death, and therefore we can assume that the other five …
Barrington My Lord, that is outrageous. We can assume nothing…
Kerlsey Other than that my learned friend will always interrupt whenever he finds his client in any real trouble. No more questions, My Lord. (Resumes his seat.)
Judge Do you wish to question this witness, Sir James?
Barrington I most certainly do, My Lord. Mr Hussein, do you keep a box of dusting powder and a brush under your shop counter?
Hussein (puzzled) No, sir, I do not.
Barrington What about a fingerprint pad?
Hussein A fingerprint pad?
Barrington A pair of handcuffs, perhaps?
Hussein Why should I do that?
Barrington Because you seem to enjoy playing the amateur detective.
Hussein I’m not sure I know what you mean, Sir James.