We've finally reached the end of the road: the sentencing hearing. Of course it doesn't go smoothly, having to be postponed once and then running out of time on the first afternoon. But at least this means it is over. The whole awful ordeal has reached its close. Or has it? Further information that is revealed in court makes us doubt it... Please be aware that this podcast mentions sexual assault, rape, eating disorders and mental health issues. There is occasional strong language and s...

In this episode, after seven agonising months and nine agonising days, the trial finally comes to an end and the verdict is pronounced. The jury's decision will have a profound and on-going effect on the lives on everyone in my family, most especially Bea. What will their verdict be? And are we prepared to deal with it? Please be aware that this podcast mentions sexual assault, rape, eating disorders and mental health issues. There is occasional strong language and some graphic de...

Finally, the trial grinds to a halt and the jury beings their deliberations. After everything we've been through, everything Bea has suffered, this is the moment it all comes down to. The moment when the verdict is revealed.... Please be aware that this podcast mentions sexual assault, rape, eating disorders and mental health issues. There is occasional strong language and some graphic detail. If you have been affected by any of the issues in this podcast, here are some or...

It's the prosecution's turn to cross-examine the defendant, Mr Y. And also the moment when the evidence from the conspiracy to pervert the course of justice is presented to the jury. Surely the fact that this reveals Mr Y as an inveterate liar will sway things Bea's way? Please be aware this episode contains language of a sexual nature. Please be aware that this podcast mentions sexual assault, rape, eating disorders and mental health issues. There is occasional strong language and so...

As the trial trundles on, it's becoming harder and harder to understand the sequence of events, especially when the evidence in court is not heard in any particular order - and certainly not in the order things actually happened. Mr Y's decision not to say anything prior to coming to court means he can throw curveballs whenever he wants. The judge could tell the jury to make an adverse inference about anything he says in the witness box but didn't tell to police when interviewed - but she doe...

It's the day that the defendant, Mr Y, is cross-examined. As he takes the stand, the entire courtroom is agog. What is he going to say? What lies is he going to tell in order to try to prove his innocence? Please be aware that this podcast mentions sexual assault, rape, eating disorders and mental health issues. There is occasional strong language and some graphic detail. If you have been affected by any of the issues in this podcast, here are some organisations you can contact in...

First of all, apologies for the delay in uploading the latest episode - II was exhausted and had to pause for a few weeks before feeling able to continue. This latest episode covers the afternoon of day three of the trial, when the DC in charge of the case takes the stand. You'll have noticed by now how slowly the wheels of justice turn - it seems like not much gets covered in a day and there are so many delays due to the judge having to be somewhere else, technical problems etc. But finally ...

The trial continues - day three now and, before we set off for the court, we get some extremely good news. However, once we arrive at the inhospitable building, our spirits soon flag once more. The defendant, Mr Y, seems to have done so many incriminating things - but how does the jury hold all this information in their heads? And we still have to contend with the defence barrister doing everything she can to blacken Bea's name.... Trigger warnings: this podcast deals with rape, sexual ass...

The second day of the trial continues with the evidence of the young woman who, having found Bea crying hysterically by the roadside, scooped her up and took her to safety. Nicky gets riled by the defence barrister's line of questioning - and we are still dumbfounded at the way the defence, unchallenged, is allowed to blacken Bea's name and her testimony. Trigger warnings: this podcast deals with rape, sexual assault, anxiety, depression and eating disorders. There are references to unwant...

On the second day of the trial, all my optimism deserts me. The court is played Bea's VRI and her pre-recorded cross-examination, in which the defence sets out to annihilate her. It's bad enough when she's being victim-blamed for being drunk, but then it gets a whole lot worse.... Trigger warnings: this podcast deals with rape, sexual assault, anxiety, depression and eating disorders. There are references to unwanted sexual contact and some strong language. Everyone is Talkin...

It is still the first day of the trial and for the first time, Phil and I are hearing the details about what happened that dreadful night over seven months ago. The prosecution barrister reads the defendant's prepared statement which will haunt me for the rest of her life. It becomes more and more clear that the rape was entirely random, that Bea was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Trigger warnings: this podcast deals with rape, sexual assault, anxiety, depression and eatin...

The trial has begun and the jury has been sworn in. Now the judge addresses rape myths and stereotypes, and the issue of memory in the traumatised. So far so good. But then some CCTV footage is played that completely contradicts information we've received from the police about how the perpetrator, Mr Y, came across our daughter, Bea. And this isn't the only bombshell revealed in the prosecution's opening statement. Trigger warnings: this podcast deals with rape, sexual assault, anxiet...

Lisa Lennox returns with the next episode of her audiobook podcast in which the trial of the man who raped her 17-year old daughter Bea begins. The jury is sworn in and Lisa is forced to face the horrifying reality that these twelve random strangers hold her daughter's future in their hands. Trigger warnings: this podcast deals with rape, sexual assault, anxiety, depression and eating disorders. There are references to unwanted sexual contact and some strong language. Everyon...

In this short episode, I update listeners on what's going on now. I haven't finished writing the sequel - Everyone is Talking About This: the true story of a rape trial - because I've been finding it too difficult. A court case is always stressful; the court case that is trying the man who callously raped your own daughter is almost unbelievably stressful and difficult. However, I will get it done and I will be recording the audio book so please stick with me whilst I tackle this demanding ta...

In this final episode of 'Everyone is Talking About This: the true story of a rape case', we fight to get a new trial date after the first one is cancelled due to the defendant allegedly catching Covid. The entire country seems to be talking about rape and the terrible statistics surrounding charging and conviction rates - but nothing seems to be being done to improve this. Try as we might, it's hard to feel optimistic about going to court when we know that just 1% of rape allegations l...

In this episode, Bea has to undergo her cross-examination - but I'm not allowed to be with her. Tension is rising in our household due to the fast-approaching trial, due to start on Monday 24th January. We're all struggling to hold it together - and then we get the worst possible news. Trigger warnings: this podcast deals with rape, sexual assault, anxiety, depression and eating disorders. Most mothers will never have to find out what happens when their child becomes the victi...

In this episode, my family and I try to focus on Christmas rather than crime. But that's made difficult by continuing contradictory communications from the police. Constant rain brings down everyone's spirits - and then a phone call from an unidentified number really spooks me. Is Ms X, out on bail, up to her old tricks? Finally, the verdict in the US trial of Ghislaine Maxwell brings some hope for Bea's case - but is it misplaced? Trigger warnings: this podcast deals with rape, sexual assau...

In this episode, I get a terrifying phone call about Bea. At the same time, Mr Y and Ms X make their pleas to the charge against them of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. We get some more information from the police about what these two criminals wanted to achieve when they came looking for Beatrice and found Iris - but are no nearer to credible answer about how they got hold of our address. Trigger warnings: this podcast deals with rape, sexual assault, anxiety, depression...

In this episode, shocking revelations about how Bea is trying to cope with the terrible thing that has happened to her shake me to the core. Day by day, it's getting harder and harder for the whole family to deal with the aftermath of the attack - and to make matters worse, the trial may not take place for many more months. Trigger warnings: this podcast deals with rape, sexual assault, anxiety, depression and eating disorders. Most mothers will never have to find out what hap...

In this episode, Bea meets a memory expert - who tells her an astonishing fact about the rapist's claims. I applaud a possible change in the law around sexual harassment - and continue to despair of the broken justice system the whole family is mired in. Trigger warnings: this podcast deals with rape, sexual assault, anxiety, depression and eating disorders. Most mothers will never have to find out what happens when their child becomes the victim of a horrendous crime. I, Lisa...