13/04/05 - Statement of Caroline Margaret Dawnay
Surname: DAWNAY
Forenames: CAROLINE MARGARET
Age: Over 21
Occupation: HEAD OF BOOKS
This statement (consisting of 9 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.
Statement Date: 13/04/2005
Signed: C.DAWNAY
I am employed as Head of Books by Peters Fraser and Dunlop Writers Agents, Drury House, 34 - 43 Russell Street, London WC2D 5HA (WC2D5HA). The telephone number is 0207 3441054. I have been asked by the police to recall my dealings with Tony THOMPSON and Daren NICHOLLS who used the pseudonym Ken RUGBY.
In 1996 (00/00/1996) I was employed by Peters Fraser and Dunlop as a Literary Agent. In this role I find publishers for books my clients wish to write. We collect money from the publishers, deduct our commission and then forward it to the client. Our commission is ten percent plus V.A.T. I became an agent for Tony THOMPSON in the early nineties.
Prior to 1996 (00/00/1996) I had already sold one of his books called 'Gangland Britain'. \ recall sometime in July 1996 (00/07/1996) Tony THOMPSON telephoned me and told me he had an interesting project 'for a book involving another man. He suggested a meeting to discuss the project. He told me the other man's name was Ken RUGBY. We did have a conversation about the proposed book but I cannot now recall what was said.
I wanted to meet this Ken RUGBY to satisfy myself about what the book would be. I had to reassure myself about the project before I could approach a publisher. I cannot recall the exact date Tony THOMPSON telephoned me, however, I do still have my 1996 (00/00/1996) diary (CMD/1).
It shows a meeting appointment with Tony THOMPSON and Ken RUGBY on 26th July 1996 (26/07/1996). This entry is crossed out and the appointment is re-scheduled to 1st August 1996 (01/08/1996). I can therefore say that Tony THOMPSON had telephoned me a few days prior to 26th July 1996 (26/07/1996).
I like to get proposals resolved as soon as possible so I would have wanted the meeting to be arranged right away. On 1st August 1996 (01/08/1996) I met Tony THOMPSON and Ken RUGBY at Two Bridges Place, just round the corner from Charing Cross Police Station. I cannot recall any details of the meeting. I wanted to satisfy myself that Ken RUGBY was willing to collaborate with Tony THOMPSON on the book and that he was telling the truth.
At the end of the meeting I was happy I had the grounds for a book and that it had a reasonable chance of finding a publisher. I have been asked what time the meeting took place. I cannot be sure but it would have been around lunchtime. I would have then considered which publishers I would approach. I drew up a short list of four or five publishers.
One of these publishers was Little Brown UK Limited. On 7th August 1996 (07/08/1996) I drew up a confidentiality agreement (CMD/2) in respect of a book by Tony THOMPSON which was going to be titled 'One Way Out'. A confidentiality agreement is not normally required for ordinary books. It was my understanding that Ken RUGBY was in hiding because he had given information about what became known as the 'Essex Murders'.
I did this to ensure they kept details of the proposed book private. I did not want them going to newspaper with the story. On 8th August 1996 (08/08/1996) I sent a letter to Phillipa HARRISON at Little Brown UK Ltd (CMD/3) together with a copy of the confidentiality agreement (CMD/2).
I also sent identical letters and agreements to four other publishers. In the event only Little Brown offered to publish the book. On 8th August 1996 (08/08/1996) I also drew up a Terms of Business letter (CMD/4) for Ken RUGBY. This letter authorises Peter Frasers and Dunlop to act as agent for Ken RUGBY. I would have given this document to Tony THOMPSON for Ken RUGBY's signature.
At some point this was returned to me signed by D.NICHOLLS and dated 17th August 1996 (17/08/1996). At some point Tony THOMPSON told me Ken RUGBY's real name was Darren NICHOLLS but I cannot recall exactly when this was. On 16th August 1996 (16/08/1996) I sent a handwritten letter (CMD/5) to Philippa HARRISON at Little Brown UK Ltd.
I am confirming what we have agreed prior to preparing the contract. In my file I also have the Collaboration Agreement between Tony THOMPSON and Ken RUGBY (Darren NICHOLLS) dated 17th August 1996 (l7/08/1996) (CMD/6). This is signed by both THOMPSON and NICHOLLS.
I think this was most likely signed at the same time as the Terms of Business (CMD/4). In my file I also have an Assignment of Copyright dated 17th August 1996 (17/08/1996) between Tony THOMPSON and Ken RUGBY (CMD/7), again this is signed by THOMPSON and NICHOLLS.
The Collaboration Agreement (CMD/6) sets out who owns the copyright to the book, how the proceeds would be divided and that they are collaborating on the book. The Assignment of Copyright (CMD/7) is an agreement to the effect that one person i.e. Tony THOMPSON will be making the decisions about the book because Ken RUGBY would be unavailable for most of the time.
I have a letter to Philippa HARRISON at Little Brown dated 19th August 1996 (19/08/1996) concerning the contract for One Way Out (CMD/8). I sent three copies of the contract for the book with this letter requesting they be signed and returned.
These were duly signed and returned. In my file I also have a copy of the contract (Agreement) dated 14th September 1996 (14/09/1996) between Tony THOMPSON and Ken RUGBY and Little Brown UK Ltd (CMD/9). This document is signed by Darren NICHOLLS, Tony THOMPSON and Barbara BOOTE for Little Brown UK Ltd. Barbara BOOTE is now Barbara DANIEL.
Somewhere between the contracts being signed and publication of the book it changed from One Way Out to Bloggs 19. At the time of these events Peters Fraser and Dunlop was located at Fifth Floor, The Chambers, Chelsea Harbour, London SW10 OXF (SW100XF). I wish to add that I still manage Tony THOMPSON. I have had no further contact with Ken RUBGY (Darren NICHOLLS).
I have received letters from Defence Solicitors requesting information about my dealings with Tony THOMPSON. I wrote and told the solicitors I would not provide them with any information. I am aware a proposal was made for a TV programme but it was never made, Rosemary SCOULAR, my colleague at Peters, Fraser and Dunlop dealt with this matter.
As far as I am aware the initial £20,000 (twenty thousand pounds) was paid to THOMPSON and NICHOLLS which was divided as per the Collaboration Agreement (CMD/6). They also received a further £2464 (two thousand four hundred and sixty four pounds) in Royalties.They received a total of £5000 (five thousand pounds) for the TV programme which was divided equally.
Signed: C.DAWNAY
Signature witnessed by: DC RAYNER |
