The following programme
contains strong language,
descriptions of
real-life violence
and scenes that some viewers
may find distressing.
And scenes that some viewers
may find distressing.
[BANGING, CRUMBLING]
[BANGING, CRUMBLING]
NARRATOR: Within two weeks,
every last trace of
number 25 Cromwell Street,
every last trace of
number 25 Cromwell Street,
will have been removed.
The house where Fred West tortured,
and then m*rder*d nine victims
is being taken away,
piece by piece.
Is being taken away,
piece by piece.
[SLOW, UNSETTLING MUSIC]
The authorities didn't know
that he also m*rder*d his
first wife, Catherine.
That he also m*rder*d his
first wife, Catherine.
A former nanny, Anne McFall,
had also been k*lled.
Police found both their bodies
in fields near West's boyhood home,
in the village of Much Markle.
In fields near West's boyhood home,
in the village of Much Markle.
The next location to be searched
is likely to be 25 Midland Road
The next location to be searched
is likely to be 25 Midland Road
another of Fredric
West's former homes.
[TAPE RECORDER BEEPS]
[PERTURBING CHORAL MUSIC]
where police will begin their search
for more bodies later this week.
Where police will begin their search
for more bodies later this week.
This is the fourth site
identified by detectives,
during the two month Cromwell
Street mass m*rder inquiry.
During the two month Cromwell
Street mass m*rder inquiry.
Frederick West lived at 25
Midland Road in the early 1970s.
Police won't confirm that
they're now looking for clues
Police won't confirm that
they're now looking for clues
to the disappearance of his
eight-year-old daughter, Charmaine,
We're still seeking Charmaine.
We've done that from the
outset of the inquiry.
We've done that from the
outset of the inquiry.
And, if anyone has any
information relative to Charmaine,
we'd like to hear from them.
I was part of the team
that was responsible for
excavating 25 Midland Road.
The information was slowly
dripping out from Fred
The information was slowly
dripping out from Fred
that there was other bodies,
outside of 25 Cromwell Street.
The police, by which
time, had established
The police, by which
time, had established
that he previously lived
at 25 Midland Road.
Charmaine was last
seen there in 1971.
She was the daughter of Rena,
but was not the daughter of Fred.
A team of police officers
A team of police officers
started digging and
sifting through soil,
at the rear of 25 Midland Road
in Gloucester this afternoon,
and they put up a canopy
and they put up a canopy
to prepare for a deeper
excavation of the garden.
The police used a ground radar
The police used a ground radar
to locate possible areas
which had cavities in,
which would indicate
that a body may be there.
I did honestly believe that
we wouldn't find anything.
I did honestly believe that
we wouldn't find anything.
[INTERFERENCE CRACKLES]
[INTERFERENCE CRACKLES]
[FOREBODING MUSIC]
We're in Coatbridge now,
this is Hospital Street.
We're in Coatbridge now,
this is Hospital Street.
These houses, the bulk of them,
are there from before the w*r.
Are there from before the w*r.
So, they haven't changed, that
whole side is still the same.
This is where Rena and Fred West
had the first of their married life.
This is where Rena and Fred West
had the first of their married life.
So, little Charmaine
was born in Coatbridge.
One day I was at high school,
and I was getting on a bus.
This lady and her baby got
on, with a little pushchair.
This lady and her baby got
on, with a little pushchair.
I thought, wait a
minute, I know you,
and I just couldn't think
who it was for a second.
But, when I had a really good,
quick look at her, I thought...
But, when I had a really good,
quick look at her, I thought...
it's Rena.
The wee baby had a beautiful
little heart-shaped face,
The wee baby had a beautiful
little heart-shaped face,
quite like her mum,
I think, really,
because Rena was very sweet faced,
little kind of heart-shaped chin.
And, the baby was probably
about five or six months.
So, the baby was able to
sit on-on Rena's knee.
And, you know, a lot of people on
the bus, were cooing and "Aaah!"
And, you know, a lot of people on
the bus, were cooing and "Aaah!"
You know, "Isn't she lovely?"
The little one, had on this
little pink fluffy hat,
The little one, had on this
little pink fluffy hat,
which somebody had clearly
crocheted or knitted.
It had little, little pink loops
all round, and tied under the chin.
It had little, little pink loops
all round, and tied under the chin.
Beautifully turned out.
When we got off the bus, we
got off at the same place,
and Rena was actually taking her
baby to the clinic to be weighed.
And Rena was actually taking her
baby to the clinic to be weighed.
So, she was a good mum.
So, she was a good mum.
The father of Charmaine
was an Asian bus driver
that she'd been working with,
that she'd been working with,
so Charmaine was a
mixed race child.
The way Rena and Fred
got round the issue
The way Rena and Fred
got round the issue
of people questioning
Charmain's ethnicity,
was that...
it was claimed Rena
had had a miscarriage,
it was claimed Rena
had had a miscarriage,
and had been so
upset, that in fact...
they had adopted a child and
Charmaine was that child.
They had adopted a child and
Charmaine was that child.
It was a story, it was concocted
to get around the issue of stigma.
It was a story, it was concocted
to get around the issue of stigma.
What I heard was, she was
calling the baby after her mum,
What I heard was, she was
calling the baby after her mum,
her mum was Mary.
And she made the decision
the baby would be christened
And she made the decision
the baby would be christened
in St Mary's just down there.
[SHRILL, FOREBODING MUSIC]
[SHRILL, FOREBODING MUSIC]
After Anne had died, Fred
lived on a caravan site
with Charmaine and
her little sister.
With Charmaine and
her little sister.
Rena goes back and forward
in the girls' lives.
And it looked like she was again
trying to find a home for the girls.
'What do you think Rena
thought had happened to Anne,
'do you think she
knew Fred k*lled her?'
I don't feel that
Rena knew about that,
but she would have
wondered where Anne was,
but she would have
wondered where Anne was,
and perhaps she had started a
new life with somebody else,
but not Fred, that
she'd escaped,
but not Fred, that
she'd escaped,
or she just didn't care,
because she betrayed her.
She was gone, and
that was enough.
Rena would have to move
back in to the caravan,
to even be with the girls,
and then she'd have to go again,
because he would be too violent.
And then she'd have to go again,
because he would be too violent.
The children would go into care at
different points when Rena went,
because he couldn't care for
them while he was working.
Because he couldn't care for
them while he was working.
Rena said to social workers
that she was going to start
a new life with the children,
that she was going to start
a new life with the children,
but sadly that wasn't to happen.
Charmaine and her sister were
well known to social services,
Charmaine and her sister were
well known to social services,
and there was a period in which the
children went in and out of care.
And there was a period in which the
children went in and out of care.
That was because of the
conditions of the children.
They were always described as
being filthy, dirty, grubby,
and a general case of neglect
for-for both children.
And a general case of neglect
for-for both children.
The children were showing
signs of abuse already,
because they were wetting the
bed, particularly Charmaine.
Because they were wetting the
bed, particularly Charmaine.
Fred made every day of the
children's lives miserable,
Fred made every day of the
children's lives miserable,
and yet still the children
remained with him.
Then, in the summer
of 69, Fred met Rose.
Then, in the summer
of 69, Fred met Rose.
[INTERFERENCE CRACKLES]
Since the arrest of
husband Fredrick,
Rosemary West has
kept a low profile,
Rosemary West has
kept a low profile,
living at a secret address
provided by the police.
This is a rare glimpse of her,
photographed out
shopping in Dursley.
Photographed out
shopping in Dursley.
She was arrested two months ago
in connection with the
mass m*rder inquiry,
but released on
bail without charge.
Rosemary is the 52-year-old
builder's second wife.
Rosemary is the 52-year-old
builder's second wife.
She was devastated,
quite clearly distressed.
She was devastated,
quite clearly distressed.
REPORTER: She denies she knew
anything about the bodies.
Is that correct?
Yes, she does.
What does she say about
knowledge of the killings at all?
What does she say about
knowledge of the killings at all?
She totally denies
that? Yes, she does.
[UNSETTLING MUSIC]
[TRAFFIC NOISE]
In the early January of 1968,
In the early January of 1968,
Fred West was cruising
around in his work's van,
looking for young girls
walking on the street.
There had been numerous reports,
and complaints from girls
who have been pestered.
There's also evidence that
there were young girls
There's also evidence that
there were young girls
from Bishop's Cleeve Comprehensive,
seen around Fred West's caravan.
Rose would have come on to
Fred's radar in Bishop's Cleeve,
and at that time, Rose
had only turned 15.
And at that time, Rose
had only turned 15.
Fred was 27.
This point in time,
at this place,
Fred West is courting
Rosemary Letts,
Fred West is courting
Rosemary Letts,
a young girl, who lives
about 100 yards away.
Fred West was now living
with his two young daughters
Fred West was now living
with his two young daughters
about a mile away at Stoke
Orchard, at Lakeside Caravan Park,
about a mile away at Stoke
Orchard, at Lakeside Caravan Park,
where he was residing some
of the time with Rena,
who was coming and going.
And, this was within a short
time of the death of Anne.
And, this was within a short
time of the death of Anne.
The way he could juggle this
The way he could juggle this
without apparently being in
the slightest bit disturbed,
points to his lack of empathy.
REPORTER: Do you think
Fred groomed Rose, as well?
I think Fred did groom Rose.
Yes, Rose was vulnerable.
I think Fred did groom Rose.
Yes, Rose was vulnerable.
She was a rather timid
child, by all accounts.
You'd have to say that all
children are vulnerable,
You'd have to say that all
children are vulnerable,
if they're in a house where
abuse is somehow normalised.
Rose was born to a mother
suffering seriously
with mental health conditions.
When Rose's mother, Daisy,
was pregnant with Rose,
she was undergoing a course
of electrical shock therapy.
She was undergoing a course
of electrical shock therapy.
Her father, being in
the Navy during the w*r,
from all accounts,
from all accounts,
was an absolute tyrant
and brute, to his family.
Rose's eldest siblings
suffered many beatings,
and were very keen to leave
the home as soon as they could.
Strangely, within this abuse,
Strangely, within this abuse,
Rose's father treated
her differently,
and, there is every indication
and, there is every indication
that he was grooming her
sexually, and abusing her.
She survived by being
compliant with her father.
She survived by being
compliant with her father.
That was the kind of basis of
the relationship with Fred.
That was the kind of basis of
the relationship with Fred.
[SLOW, GENTLE MUSIC]
[SLOW, GENTLE MUSIC]
Rose very much fitted the
template that Fred went for,
which was young and vulnerable.
Which was young and vulnerable.
That girl had had a
very, very sad life,
like so many of
Fred West's victims.
Like so many of
Fred West's victims.
She was just looking for
somebody to care for her.
Somebody to look out for her.
She was another girl who
wanted a home, with a family.
She was another girl who
wanted a home, with a family.
Fred and Rose's relationship
developed quite quickly.
And she came and met the
children, which he used as a lure.
And she came and met the
children, which he used as a lure.
And he was treating Rose
like she was a child as well,
which basically, she was.
Which basically, she was.
And she wore those
white schoolgirl socks,
and with that babyish voice.
And with that babyish voice.
She was like that all her life.
Rose moved into the
caravan with Fred in 1969.
Rose moved into the
caravan with Fred in 1969.
Rose and Charmaine were
only ten years apart.
Rose was jealous of Charmaine,
Rose was jealous of Charmaine,
because Charmaine was brighter
than Rose, if you like.
She was a lovely little girl,
with dark hair, big eyes.
She was a lovely little girl,
with dark hair, big eyes.
A lovely spirited
child like her mother.
Charmaine was told
to call Rose "Mum",
and she absolutely refused to.
She knew who her mother was,
and she wasn't going to do it.
She knew who her mother was,
and she wasn't going to do it.
She would say, "Well,
you're not my mum.
"You can't tell me off."
She would, she would
say those things to her.
She would, she would
say those things to her.
And she said,
"One day, Mummy is going
to come in and collect us."
You know. "She's
going to come for us."
Sadly, that day never came.
[FOREBODING MUSIC]
REPORTER: At 25 Midland
Road digging is continuing.
REPORTER: At 25 Midland
Road digging is continuing.
Police will not comment on the
possibility that they are looking
for the remains of Mr
West's daughter Charmaine,
who disappeared 20 years
ago when she was eight.
Who disappeared 20 years
ago when she was eight.
After a year of living
together, at the caravan,
After a year of living
together, at the caravan,
Fred and Rose and the small
family moved into 25 Midland Road.
Rose gave birth to Heather,
Rose gave birth to Heather,
and she still had
the two small girls
to look after as well.
She was only 16 herself.
She was only 16 herself.
And I think, it just, it
was too much for Rose.
There were lots of reports
that Charmaine was acting up,
when in fact, she just
being a normal child.
When in fact, she just
being a normal child.
I think Fred was very keen for
Rose to discipline Charmaine...
which she happily took to.
He was encouraging her
to rip up old sheets,
to tie the girls up with, to
discipline them very heavily.
To tie the girls up with, to
discipline them very heavily.
I think she had learnt
from her father.
I think she had learnt
from her father.
He had a vile temper.
She just emulated him.
She didn't have the insight or
wherewithal to actually think,
She didn't have the insight or
wherewithal to actually think,
it's not right.
Fred went back to his
old ways of petty theft.
Fred went back to his
old ways of petty theft.
He'd stolen a car
tax disc this time.
And so Fred was in prison,
And so Fred was in prison,
and Rose was left on
her own with no money.
Electric going on and off
in the middle of winter,
Electric going on and off
in the middle of winter,
with a new baby, and
two small children.
It says everything
about the times, really,
It says everything
about the times, really,
that Fred was in prison for
stealing tax discs and tyres,
and yet he was known to
have molested young girls,
and yet he was known to
have molested young girls,
and nothing came of that,
there was no record for that.
He wasn't even watched.
In 1970, Charmaine started
St John School in Gloucester,
In 1970, Charmaine started
St John School in Gloucester,
and she would have been there,
maybe for an academic year,
before she went missing.
Before she went missing.
In March 1971,
the records show that Charmaine
attended Gloucester Royal Hospital
with a puncture wound
to her left ankle,
with a puncture wound
to her left ankle,
and that was described
as a home accident.
Charmaine was eight when we
had our last sighting of her,
Charmaine was eight when we
had our last sighting of her,
which would have been in
The police had statements
from a neighbour
The police had statements
from a neighbour
who saw Rose in the
kitchen with Charmaine.
Charmaine was stood on a chair with
her hands tied behind her back.
Charmaine was stood on a chair with
her hands tied behind her back.
And Rose was close by,
with a large spoon.
The inference being that
Rose was punishing Charmaine.
The inference being that
Rose was punishing Charmaine.
And the punishment
was quite severe.
Rose is recorded as
telling neighbours
Rena had come down and
collected Charmaine.
And taken her back to Scotland.
Police have discovered
the body of a young girl
Police have discovered
the body of a young girl
at a former home of the
builder, Frederick West.
The remains were found
under a concrete floor,
at the house in Midland
Road, in Gloucester,
at the house in Midland
Road, in Gloucester,
by officers using specialist
digging equipment.
'Police have been searching
in the garden and ground floor
'of 25 Midland
Road for ten days.
'of 25 Midland
Road for ten days.
'This morning they announced
they had dug six feet
'underneath a kitchen extension
and made another discovery.
'The remains of a young girl.'
'The remains of a young girl.'
[CAMERA FLASHES CLICKING]
[EERIE, SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[EERIE, SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
The body of Charmaine was found
wrapped in a cloth, as I recall.
The body of Charmaine was found
wrapped in a cloth, as I recall.
It was not dismembered,
it was intact,
which was unexpected...
which was unexpected...
because Fred would often
dismember the bodies
to enable them to be buried.
[LIGHT TRAFFIC NOISE]
I spent a while thinking
that the little baby
that I'd seen on the
Baxter's bus with Rena,
that I'd seen on the
Baxter's bus with Rena,
was OK, that she was safe,
because she'd said the baby was
being called after her mum, Mary.
Because she'd said the baby was
being called after her mum, Mary.
So, part of me thought,
thank goodness it's not that
wee baby, but later on, the...
thank goodness it's not that
wee baby, but later on, the...
it was put in the papers
that her name was Charmaine,
and then Mary was in the
middle, one of her middle names,
so it was the same baby.
So it was the same baby.
And there...
there's that little baby.
That little baby that
I saw on Rena's lap.
That little baby that
I saw on Rena's lap.
Charmaine had her mum's
smile when I look at that.
She did.
She inherited the smile.
She inherited the smile.
'And, what about Rena,
what happened to her?'
Rena kept turning
up at Midland Road,
looking for Charmaine.
Looking for Charmaine.
Fred developed this cover story,
that Rena had taken
Charmaine with her.
That Rena had taken
Charmaine with her.
But with Rena turning up,
that was going to
signal the end for Rena.
After Fred was out of prison,
she disappeared quite quickly.
He couldn't afford for
her to go to the police,
and then it would be revealed
what he'd done to Anne
McFall and Charmaine.
What he'd done to Anne
McFall and Charmaine.
So, it was in his interests,
to shut Rena up, basically.
So, it was in his interests,
to shut Rena up, basically.
[DARK, INTENSE TONE]
[DARK, INTENSE TONE]
Gloucester builder, Fred
West, has appeared in court,
Gloucester builder, Fred
West, has appeared in court,
charged with the m*rder
of his daughter Charmaine.
The remains of her body were
found under the kitchen floor
of West's former home,
at 25 Midland Road,
of West's former home,
at 25 Midland Road,
about a month ago.
West made a brief
appearance in court today,
to hear the 12th charge
read out against him.
To hear the 12th charge
read out against him.
In an outburst in court, he
said, "I did it. No one else."
The first time I met Rose,
The first time I met Rose,
I was called to
Cheltenham Police Station,
lunchtime of February '94.
It transpired that she had been
arrested along with her husband,
who was Fred West.
I was acting as her
defence solicitor,
I was acting as her
defence solicitor,
and she was denying vehemently
that this had happened.
Rosemary West has been jointly
charged with her husband
of nine murders.
Of nine murders.
Frederick West with an extra
three including Charmaine's.
When I saw Rose, after
she was first arrested,
When I saw Rose, after
she was first arrested,
she was very withdrawn,
she was weeping,
it was though her
world had collapsed,
and she was cursing Fred West,
asking me what Fred West had done.
And she was cursing Fred West,
asking me what Fred West had done.
She-she was very distraught.
[NEWS REPORT THEME MUSIC]
[NEWS REPORT THEME MUSIC]
Good evening.
Frederick West,
the Gloucester builder whose
home concealed nine corpses,
the Gloucester builder whose
home concealed nine corpses,
has been found dead,
hanging in his prison cell at
Winson Green Jail in Birmingham.
He'd been in custody
for nearly a year,
accused of a total
of 12 murders,
and committal proceedings
were due to start next month.
His wife who was charged
with nine murders,
was told of his
death this afternoon.
Was told of his
death this afternoon.
It was me, who had to tell Rose
that Fred had committed suicide.
It was me, who had to tell Rose
that Fred had committed suicide.
Her reaction was
strange. It was mixed.
Can't quite work it out.
I think there was...
a sense of shock,
I think there was...
a sense of shock,
a slight smile on her face,
and then slightly tearful.
Inevitably, questions
are being asked
Inevitably, questions
are being asked
about how the death of such a
high-profile prisoner could occur.
West, who is said to have been
unpopular with other inmates,
West, who is said to have been
unpopular with other inmates,
wasn't segregated.
But the prison service says
he did receive regular checks.
It came as a shock, because
he was on suicide watch.
It came as a shock, because
he was on suicide watch.
And also, because of the ease
in which he was able to do this,
And also, because of the ease
in which he was able to do this,
using his bed sheets, tied
around the bars of a window.
I know it deeply upset the team.
I know it deeply
angered many the team...
I know it deeply
angered many the team...
because we felt that...
the victims would
not get justice.
The victims would
not get justice.
They would not get
their time in court.
Since Frederick West's death, Mrs
West's solicitor, Leo Goatley,
Since Frederick West's death, Mrs
West's solicitor, Leo Goatley,
has been calling for the charges
against his client to be dropped.
I think it's the crown that
need to review their case,
and decide where they
want to take it from here.
And decide where they
want to take it from here.
I would hope, that they...
they will drop the case.
Fred accepted guilt. Sole
guilt for the murders,
Fred accepted guilt. Sole
guilt for the murders,
and saying that Rose
wasn't responsible.
The prosecution
first prepared a case
The prosecution
first prepared a case
based on the fact that
Fred k*lled Charmaine.
When, Fred committed suicide,
When, Fred committed suicide,
instead of dropping that
count of the indictment,
they changed their mind, and
proffered... a new story line.
They changed their mind, and
proffered... a new story line.
This morning,
This morning,
Rosemary West was charged with
the m*rder of Charmaine West.
Rosemary West last appeared in
court in Gloucester on Tuesday
Rosemary West last appeared in
court in Gloucester on Tuesday
when she faced nine
m*rder charges.
Today, she was
accused of a tenth.
I think they're just, uh...
I think they're just, uh...
throwing it in as an extra,
an additional piece
of wishful thinking.
I interviewed Rose in relation
to the death of Charmaine.
Charmaine was last
seen in circumstances
which would suggest that she
was being looked after by Rose.
Which would suggest that she
was being looked after by Rose.
She responded in a certain
way. There was no animosity.
She responded in a certain
way. There was no animosity.
There was no aggression.
There was no violence.
It was as if you were
talking to a mannequin.
It was as if you were
talking to a mannequin.
She'd been advised by her
solicitor, Leo Goatley,
not to answer any questions.
And, that's what she did.
[TENSE, PULSING MUSIC]
The Rose West trial has become
the hottest show in town.
Today, they were queuing at dawn
Today, they were queuing at dawn
for the 40 seats in
the public gallery.
TV REPORTS: The prosecution
opened its case against Mrs West,
saying the jury could be sure she
was involved in Charmaine's death.
Saying the jury could be sure she
was involved in Charmaine's death.
The alleged k*ller
arrived at court
to hear claims she chose
her step daughter Charmaine
to hear claims she chose
her step daughter Charmaine
as the first to die,
while her husband
Fred was in prison.
"I had no part in
m*rder," she sobbed.
"I'm not a m*rder*r. I would
not take somebody's life.
"I'm not a m*rder*r. I would
not take somebody's life.
"I'm in the spotlight," said
Rose. "Fred West is dead,
"and I have to take responsibility
for what he'd done."
"and I have to take responsibility
for what he'd done."
The thing about any trial is,
that the prosecution
tell their story,
the defence tell their story,
the defence tell their story,
so there is a certain
amount of myth making,
but the best story is...
is likely to be
believed by the jury.
And, often it will be the truth.
And, often it will be the truth.
The Rosemary West
mass m*rder trial,
has heard that
the alleged k*ller
has heard that
the alleged k*ller
believed her step daughter
Charmaine liked to be handled rough.
She made the claim about Charmaine
in a letter to her husband,
She made the claim about Charmaine
in a letter to her husband,
written in 1971.
The letter was read
aloud in court today.
'To my darling.
'To my darling.
'About Char... I think she
likes to be handled rough.
'But, darling, why do I
have to be the one to do it?
'I would keep her
for her own sake,
'I would keep her
for her own sake,
'if it wasn't for the
rest of the children.
'Well, love, keep happy.
Longing for the 18th.
'Well, love, keep happy.
Longing for the 18th.
'Your ever worshipping
wife, Rose.'
The prosecution alleged
that Charmaine never left 25
Midland road in Gloucester.
A leading forensic dental expert
compared the skull, bones and teeth
A leading forensic dental expert
compared the skull, bones and teeth
with photographs,
and expressed a strong opinion
the skull was Charmaine's.
Some excellent dental
work was carried out,
Some excellent dental
work was carried out,
which clearly identified
Charmaine as the victim.
From the timelines that
we were able to produce,
we found that Fred was
likely to be in prison
we found that Fred was
likely to be in prison
at the time that
Charmaine was k*lled.
So, that really firmly
focussed the spotlight
So, that really firmly
focussed the spotlight
on actually Rose as
being the perpetrator.
Along with the evidence
which neighbours supplied,
Along with the evidence
which neighbours supplied,
which was, they last saw Charmaine,
crying, stood on a chair,
which was, they last saw Charmaine,
crying, stood on a chair,
tied with her hands behind her back,
in the process of assaulting her.
With Fred in prison,
With Fred in prison,
then you could understand
the circumstances
in which Charmaine
was actually k*lled.
Prosecutor, Brian Leveson said,
Prosecutor, Brian Leveson said,
"You tied her arms,
pushed her around,
"and you k*lled her.
"You kept her body
for Fred to bury.
"And from that moment on,
you were tied together."
"And from that moment on,
you were tied together."
In the court proceedings,
you had overwhelming evidence
In the court proceedings,
you had overwhelming evidence
to show what happened to the
victims in Cromwell Street.
Fred and Rose not
only abducted them,
but then imprisoned them,
sexually abused them,
and then m*rder*d them.
And then m*rder*d them.
Rose's defence was, "I didn't
realise it was happening."
That was... a really
difficult concept
That was... a really
difficult concept
to convince the jury
that she really didn't
know what was happening.
And I think what was
useful for the jury to see,
was when they were taken
to 25 Cromwell Street,
to actually see how
small the place was.
To actually see how
small the place was.
[CHANGING PICTURES CLICK]
Brian Leveson QC for the Crown,
outlined the ten m*rder
charges against her.
Several times, as she
heard the evidence,
Several times, as she
heard the evidence,
Mrs West was in tears,
and wiped her face
with a handkerchief.
Referring to the fate of
the women, Mr Leveson said,
"Those whom the West's believed
would not complain, lived,
"those whom they
believed posed a threat,
"either because
of their injuries,
"or because they might go
to the police, did not.
"or because they might go
to the police, did not.
"For them," he said,
"the option was death."
He continued, "Either you're
blind, extremely naive,
"totally trusting of your
husband or you're lying."
"totally trusting of your
husband or you're lying."
Mrs West replied,
"I don't know anything about
it, I was not aware of this."
The fact is, they had both
independently m*rder*d,
so there was a bond,
there was a trust
that was between them.
Rose would entice
women into the car,
because here we have
a man and a woman,
and at that time,
women were always seen
as maternal, and safe.
Why wouldn't you accept a
lift from a... a young couple?
Why wouldn't you accept a
lift from a... a young couple?
I was actually 21 when
it, when it happened.
I was actually 21 when
it, when it happened.
And, I remember on this one
day, I think it was late spring,
it would have been 1973.
It would have been 1973.
I woke up, and I thought, I'm
just going to go somewhere.
I don't know where I'm gonna
go, but I'm gonna go somewhere.
So, I put up my thumb, and
I just started hitching.
So, I put up my thumb, and
I just started hitching.
And some time towards
the end of the day,
I found myself in Gloucester.
I found myself in Gloucester.
A little grey car
came sh**ting past me,
and then it backed up, at
the same sort of speed,
and then it backed up, at
the same sort of speed,
to where I was standing.
The side window went down,
and a very ordinary
looking woman with glasses,
and a very ordinary
looking woman with glasses,
looked out the window and said,
"You look cold. Would
you like to come with us?
"Come with us, and we'll just
give you a nice cup of tea."
"Come with us, and we'll just
give you a nice cup of tea."
And she had this high
West Country accent.
I couldn't see the driver.
I could only see his arm,
and his hands on the wheel...
I could only see his arm,
and his hands on the wheel...
And he was making no effort
to... to communicate with me.
"Look," she said, "I'm
a pregnant woman."
And she pointed down
at her belly, she said,
"I'm a pregnant woman. How can
a pregnant woman hurt you?"
"I'm a pregnant woman. How can
a pregnant woman hurt you?"
And I remember thinking,
why would you say that,
if you had no intention
of hurting somebody?
So, I went, "No, I'm alright,
I'm alright, thank you.
So, I went, "No, I'm alright,
I'm alright, thank you.
"I'm alright."
And then she said, "Oh, come
on, just-just a cup of tea."
And I went, "Oh..."
And I sounded as though I
was going to change my mind.
And I sounded as though I
was going to change my mind.
And at that point, he dipped
down, and looked at me,
and I saw his eyes.
And it was the most chilling
thing I've ever seen in my life.
And it was the most chilling
thing I've ever seen in my life.
It was visceral.
My body reacted before I did.
My body reacted before I did.
I just found myself, like,
right up against the hedge going,
"No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
"No, I'm fine, thank you. No."
"No, I'm fine, thank you. No."
At that point, she realised that
I wasn't going to get in the car,
and she swore at me.
And she swore at me.
I'll tell you exactly
what she said.
She said, "f*ck you,
then, you little b*tch."
And then she turned to him and said,
"I've told you not to look at them."
And then she turned to him and said,
"I've told you not to look at them."
And they drove off.
And I was left completely,
completely trembling,
and thinking, What the
hell just happened?
And thinking, What the
hell just happened?
'And who do you
think they were?'
I think they were...
Fred and Rosemary West.
I think they were...
Fred and Rosemary West.
I am absolutely
certain they were.
For years afterwards, I
would tell this story,
For years afterwards, I
would tell this story,
as the scariest
hitchhiking story.
The scariest thing that
ever happened to me.
But when the story
came out in 1994,
But when the story
came out in 1994,
I saw pictures, of particularly
Rose West as a young woman...
and, it just went bang
in my head, and went,
and, it just went bang
in my head, and went,
"Oh, my God, Gloucester.
"That's her."
"That's her."
And then, I found out she
was pregnant at that time.
And it all just fell into place.
My view is that she
was really into this,
My view is that she
was really into this,
she really enjoyed it,
there was nothing innocent
in her engagement in this.
But yet, the dynamic
between them was,
But yet, the dynamic
between them was,
she got the victim, and he
waited and let her do that,
because that's what
she was good at.
[DARK, INTENSE TONE]
[DARK, INTENSE TONE]
[CHURCH BELL TOLLS]
Good afternoon, on the
third day of deliberations,
the jury in Winchester
has found Rosemary West
guilty on all counts.
Has found Rosemary West
guilty on all counts.
Taken through the ten counts,
and in response to the first one,
the charge that Mrs
West had m*rder*d
the charge that Mrs
West had m*rder*d
her step daughter Charmaine,
he replied, "Yes, guilty."
Judge Mr Justice Mantell asked her
to stand up and he said to her,
Judge Mr Justice Mantell asked her
to stand up and he said to her,
"On each of the ten
counts of m*rder,
"the sentence is one
of life imprisonment.
Mr Justice Mantell told her,
"If attention is
paid to what I think,
"If attention is
paid to what I think,
"you will never be
released, take her down."
My client is totally devastated...
[CAMERA FLASHES CLICK]
My client is totally devastated...
[CAMERA FLASHES CLICK]
she wept uncontrollably after
hearing the verdict of the jury.
She continues to
maintain her innocence,
She continues to
maintain her innocence,
and we are actively pursuing an
appeal on her behalf. Thank you.
Mr Goatley, what did you
say to Mrs West yourself,
when you saw her immediately
after the verdict?
When you saw her immediately
after the verdict?
No further questions. Thank you.
It's my belief now, that
Rose did k*ll Charmaine,
It's my belief now, that
Rose did k*ll Charmaine,
and she was properly convicted,
and at the end of the
day, she was found guilty,
and that was probably
the right verdict...
well, it was the right
verdict, so, justice was done.
Well, it was the right
verdict, so, justice was done.
'What had happened
to Charmaine?'
'What had happened
to Charmaine?'
I think from day one, it
was a very bad relationship.
Charmaine was a
bright little girl
Charmaine was a
bright little girl
when she came under
the care of Rose West.
She didn't let Rose defeat her.
She would resist
the... the discipline.
But she lost it, as
she demonstrated,
But she lost it, as
she demonstrated,
she had a vile temper.
'Did you ever see
Rose have a temper?'
I've seen her on the scale,
I've seen her on the scale,
I haven't seen her when
she's off the scale.
She will, kind of, spit and
salivate if she gets flustered,
She will, kind of, spit and
salivate if she gets flustered,
and she will sort of
screech in a breathless way,
and her eyes will roll.
The little girl
wasn't prepared to...
The little girl
wasn't prepared to...
lie down and take the blows.
Rose hid her in a coal
shed at Midland Road,
Rose hid her in a coal
shed at Midland Road,
and then Fred West would have
tidied up things a few weeks later,
and then Fred West would have
tidied up things a few weeks later,
when he came out of prison.
That was the thing that
cemented them together
for the rest of...
their dreadful serial
k*lling career.
Their dreadful serial
k*lling career.
When the case first broke, I
think people couldn't believe
When the case first broke, I
think people couldn't believe
that Rose had anything
to do with it.
Usually, with a serial
k*ll... or a k*lling couple,
it's going to be
the woman's coerced.
It's going to be
the woman's coerced.
And when you looked at
Rose, this middle aged,
kind of, quite dumpy
housewife figure,
I think people
wouldn't believe it.
I think people
wouldn't believe it.
But, when she started to
speak in the court room,
I think that changed.
I think that changed.
I don't think Rose would
have k*lled without Fred.
But, once having been
introduced to this,
But, once having been
introduced to this,
she happily went along with it.
They were in it together.
I think that, certainly
to a large extent,
Rose realised that
if she didn't go along with
Fred's weird fantasies,
if she didn't go along with
Fred's weird fantasies,
then she would be the victim.
You've got to ask
the question, why?
Why didn't he k*ll Rose
the way he k*lled Rena,
Why didn't he k*ll Rose
the way he k*lled Rena,
or any of his other victims?
And so, you've got these...
fantasies played out by
Fred of sadomasochism,
fantasies played out by
Fred of sadomasochism,
and you've got this
partner, this young woman,
whose survival
instinct kicks in,
whose survival
instinct kicks in,
and-and her violence and temper
is-is just through the roof.
Really toxic kind of
permutation, really.
Really toxic kind of
permutation, really.
The case did affect
me personally.
The case did affect
me personally.
I probably didn't notice
it, but my family did,
my wife thought I was very
difficult at the time.
My wife thought I was very
difficult at the time.
And, so did some of my kids.
Processing the details,
Processing the details,
and remaining dispassionate
and professional,
was-was quite a task.
Rose is still alive. I haven't
seen her for many years.
I, I did write to her, actually,
but got no response to the letter.
I, I did write to her, actually,
but got no response to the letter.
I said that the jury were
right in their verdict.
She probably didn't
like me saying that.
She probably didn't
like me saying that.
You know, I do wish that
Rose West would somehow...
give some explanation,
give some explanation,
but she's just not
willing to do that.
[SLOW, DARK MUSIC]
Charmaine West was the little
girl Fred West didn't father,
Charmaine West was the little
girl Fred West didn't father,
and Rosemary couldn't stand.
The woman's dislike of her
stepdaughter was historical.
The woman's dislike of her
stepdaughter was historical.
Charmaine, within a very short
life, had Rena as a mother,
Annie McFall as a mother...
and lastly had Rose as a mother.
And lastly had Rose as a mother.
Charmaine was a child who
had no stability, no support.
Charmaine was a child who
had no stability, no support.
She was in a position where...
her life was one of survival.
Her life was one of survival.
She had to survive from
one day to another.
I can't imagine how difficult
life would have been.
I can't imagine how difficult
life would have been.
I didn't put it together at first.
That that was Catherine's daughter.
I didn't put it together at first.
That that was Catherine's daughter.
It was only later, you
know, that I realised,
It was only later, you
know, that I realised,
Oh, my God.
Really, it annoys me,
that for somebody to
accept maybe Fred's word,
that for somebody to
accept maybe Fred's word,
that, "Oh, where's your missus?"
"Ah, she's gone back to Scotland."
But what about Charmaine? Would
she leave her little girl?
But what about Charmaine? Would
she leave her little girl?
Why didn't they question that?
Where she was, what she was doing,
it's... nobody was bothered.
'So, who are those
people, Jane?' [SIGHS]
I'm going to cry now, I'm
sorry. That's the last bit...
I'm going to cry now, I'm
sorry. That's the last bit...
that's, erm...
I have got through all
the horrible stuff,
and this is...
where you see the
real person, isn't it?
Um, so this is Rena Costello.
Um, so this is Rena Costello.
This is Anne McFall.
And this is little
eight-year-old Charmaine.
As working class
victims from Glasgow,
these three girls were not
valued. They were overlooked.
These three girls were not
valued. They were overlooked.
At the time, there was
no empathy towards them.
They were forgotten.
They didn't have a chance.
They didn't have a chance.
Rena, Charmaine and Anne.
These were not sexually
sadistical murders,
These were not sexually
sadistical murders,
as with most of
the other victims.
These were murders
out of expediency,
These were murders
out of expediency,
because they were in the way...
but set a pattern that Fred
would go on to use for years.
But set a pattern that Fred
would go on to use for years.
Almost all of the girls
found at Cromwell Street,
and young women,
and young women,
they came from
vulnerable backgrounds,
and mostly been in care, they'd
had difficult childhoods.
People like Anne and Rena.
In relation to Rena and Anne,
they never had their
story told in court,
because Fred committed
suicide before trial.
Because Fred committed
suicide before trial.
Rose was never charged
with their murders,
so their account of
what happened to them,
so their account of
what happened to them,
has never been
told, in any detail.
I think it's important
for people to understand
I think it's important
for people to understand
the failings of the society
that they were brought up in.
And the failings of the
authorities in protecting them.
And the failings of the
authorities in protecting them.
[TENSE, PULSING MUSIC]
I don't think they could ever
have surmised the tsunami of pain
I don't think they could ever
have surmised the tsunami of pain
that trauma has caused
people over the years.
And, it makes no difference
whether you came from Coatbridge,
And, it makes no difference
whether you came from Coatbridge,
or whether you went to a
private school like Eton,
or Fettes in Scotland.
The harm that sexual
predators do, is horrific.
The harm that sexual
predators do, is horrific.
It's the Everest of
all childhood traumas.
It's the Everest of
all childhood traumas.
I've discovered how easy it is,
for men to erase
the lives of women.
For men to erase
the lives of women.
To erase their stories.
It's hugely important
to keep telling the stories
of the unheard women,
to keep telling the stories
of the unheard women,
the voices, the children.
Children like Charmaine.
These people lived,
they were important,
These people lived,
they were important,
their stories matter,
because you just feel
patterns will repeat.
Because you just feel
patterns will repeat.
Patterns will keep going on,
unless we learn the lessons.
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01x03 - Charmaine
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Uncovering the hidden lives and experiences of Fred West first three victims his first wife, Rena Costello, her daughter Charmaine and her friend Anne McFall, when he was living in Glasgow in the early 1960s.
Uncovering the hidden lives and experiences of Fred West first three victims his first wife, Rena Costello, her daughter Charmaine and her friend Anne McFall, when he was living in Glasgow in the early 1960s.