10/12/95 - STATEMENT of PAUL WILLIAM JAMES

NAME: PAUL WILLIAM JAMES
AGE / DATE OF BIRTH: 29 03051966

Who states:- This statement consisting of 003 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
P W JAMES (SIGNED)

I am employed by BBS Cycles of Whitehouse Farm, A130, Rettendon, Essex. The premises are a barn which we use to store pedal cycles which we sell at markets. The farm is owned by Mr Peter THEOBALD.

On Wednesday 061295 I finished work around 1830 hours. I got back to the yard around 1730 hours from Swanley Market in Kent. I reloaded the van ready for the next morning, with my work mates.

There names Wayne JACKSON, Danny O'LEARY and a man called Mark. I do not recall seeing anything unusual, no strange vehicles etc. We all left about the same time.

As I drove home from work that evening I was driving my mauve Volkswagon golf index number K704DWC. I turned left onto the A130 and headed towards Wickford and the turnpike.

The road is always busy at that time of night. As I drove along the A130 I did not notice anything unusual. I drove to work in my car the next morning, Thursday 071295.

I arrived at work around 0650 hours I was later than usual, as I had overslept. I again drove along the A130 heading towards Chelmsford from Wickford. I turned right into Whitehouse Farm yard as usual.

I parked my car in its usual place. I walked to the company van, a beige renault traffic van H reg. This is parked behind the farm house, Chelmsford side.

From where I park my car and collect the van you cannot oversee the fields and farm track where the three men were killed. Someone had removed the cardboard from the windscreen of the van, so I started the van and let it heat up before I pulled away.

The cardboard missing was not unusual. I know people do cut across the fields. I drove the van out of the yard turned left onto the A130 and headed towards the turnpike.

My van was still frosted up slightly and I did not see anything unusual along the road as I left the farm. I returned about 1645 hours to the yard. I then saw all the police vehicles in the yard then I discovered what had happened.

P W JAMES SIGNED
STATEMENT TAKEN PLACE:
TIME:
DATE: 101295
WITNESS TO SIGNATURE:
OFFICERS SIGNATURE: DC1935 TURNER