10/12/95 - STATEMENT of CHRISTOPHER JAMES THEOBALD

NAME: CHRISTOPHER JAMES THEOBALD
AGE / DATE OF BIRTH: 16 16081979

Who states:- This statement consisting of 005 pages, each signed by me, is true to the best of my knowledge and belief and I make it knowing that if it is tendered in evidence I shall be liable to prosecution if I have wilfully stated in it anything which I know to be false or do not believe to be true.

DATED: 101295
C J THEOBALD (SIGNED)

I reside at Whitehouse Farm, Main Road, Rettendon with my mother and father. Access to the farm is via a double gated entrance off of Main Road. This entrance leads into the farm yard which is quite a large concrete area in front of the farm buildings.

On the left side of the yard is the farm house with tea room on the side. Next this is a shed and next to that is our farm shop from where we sell farm produce to the public. To the right of these buildings are the grading shed, the barn and the corn bin.

The yard is used as a car park for customers who use the shop and tea room. The exit from the car park is on the right of the corn bin. This exit gives access back onto the Main Road. I have prepared a plan of Whitehouse Farm yard (CJT/1). During the week I attend college and when I get home I help out in the farm shop.

The farm shop usually shuts at 1700 hours every day if we are not too busy. Once the shop is shut the double gate at the entrance are closed and are secured by an iron coupling. The exit gates are not closed, they are permanently tied back in the open position.

On Wednesday 061295 I finished college early and arrived home at about 1400 hours. A friend of the family, Mr Alan NEWTON was running the farm shop. He helps on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I generally started to help out in the shop, I helped my mum unload the shopping from our Land Rover.

About 1615 hours my mother suggested to Alan that he leave early because the weather was bad. It had been snowing and the temperature and dropping. Alan went home so I was left in charge of the shop. About 1630 hours the Christmas trees were delivered by lorry. Mum and Dad helped unload the trees whilst I served customers in the shop.

I then went into the shed next to the shop and started to grade eggs, I kept an eye out for customers whilst doing this. It was a quiet afternoon, once it gets dark we do not get many customers. I did not serve any more customers. At 1710 hours I walked to the house and asked Mum to help me grade the eggs.

Dad had collected a few days worth of battery eggs so it was going to take ages to grade them on my own. Mum told me to shut the shop. I closed the shop doors and pulled the shutters down. I then walked to the entrance gates, closed them and secured them with the coupling.

I could see there were no customers cars in the car park. I closed the gates no later than 1715 hours. I went into the grading shed where mum and I continued to grade the eggs. Mum wanted to finish by 1800 hours because that is the time Star Trek starts on television.

At 1800 hours Mum left to watch Star Trek, Dad and I continued to grade eggs until about 1900 hours. I remained indoors for the rest of the evening. I know these events occurred on Wednesday 061295 because

A) College finishes early on Wednesdays
B) The Christmas trees were delivered
C) Mum wanted to watch Star Trek
D) Alan went home early and he usually closes the gates when he is there.

C J THEOBALD SIGNED
STATEMENT TAKEN PLACE:
TIME: 1205
DATE: 101295
WITNESS TO SIGNATURE: F G THEOBALD
OFFICERS SIGNATURE: DC1933 RAYNER