Based on new evidence that has come to light since the trial, TIM DARBY
explains the chain of events that led to his brother’s death . . .

 

Robert went into Hobnobs Bar, owned by Power’s girlfriend Terrie Beales, the night before the fight took place, the Tuesday. Again, he went there looking for Power. Beales said that she actually left the bar early, as Robert was there terrorising her customers and she felt sorry for leaving her staff to deal with him.

 

Robert went to Adele Rayner’s work place on the (Wednesday) morning of the incident and demanded she give him Power’s mobile number, but she refused. In her witness statement she said Robert became very agitated and she called security.

 

Robert returned to Beales’ bar later that morning – just minutes before he was knifed – shouting at a member of staff and demanding she pass a message to Power to ring him urgently. Robert was captured on CCTV footage yards from the bar and walking in the direction of the bar.

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Tim Darby said: "Although Robert would have had no business with Beales herself, he would definitely have been looking for Power, or demanding to find out where he was from whoever happened to be there.

 

"Paul Hunt said that Robert was taking him to a café in Gants Hill to get something to eat. The Gants Hill Cafe is situated next door to Beales’ bar. I don’t believe this was a coincidence – the pair of them had just travelled around three miles from the flat in Chadwell Heath where Hunt lived with his girlfriend.

 

"Having known my brother for many years, Power knew that being constantly evasive would have antagonised him.

 

A matter of seconds after receiving a call from her sister Karen, Terrie Beales phoned Power at 11:47. Power and Moore were in Power’s car driving towards Redbridge Sports Centre, where I’m told they intended to have a sauna or play racquetball. But Beales insisted he sort Robert out, as my brother had been around at her bar again, carrying on and making threats about the money still owed to him.

 

A furious Power lost his temper. Just moments after the call from Beales, he stopped his car next to a public phone box in Cranbrook Road (Barkingside end) and called Robert at 11:50 (he didn’t want him to know his mobile number). Phone records confirm they spoke for only about 30 seconds – and just two or three minutes later they came together in the middle of Perth Road.

 

The first thing Robert did when he got out of his car was head straight for Power, NOT Moore. Power said loud and clear in the Old Bailey witness box, the first words out of my brother’s mouth were: “What the fucking hell is HE doing here?” He was obviously not talking about Power.

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According to an eye-witness, both Robert and Power charged at each other.

 

Obviously, it was a spontaneous meeting on Power’s part – a furious reaction to the call from Beales that lit the blue touchpaper just minutes earlier. Moore just happened to be an innocent passenger in Power’s car – wrong place, wrong time – hence the “what the fucking hell is he doing here?” remark from Robert, who clearly didn’t expect Moore to be there. This tells me that Moore had absolutely no plan, or any intention, of meeting my brother.

 

Derek Coveley, also from the Isle of Dogs who was known to our family for many years, said in his statement that he received a call from Robert at 11:45 asking to borrow £500. Derek agreed to lend Robert the money and they arranged to meet “in the hour” back on the Island – clear confirmation by Robert himself that he had no intention of meeting anybody else at this time, as it would have taken him a while to get back over to the Island.

 

For the benefit of Judge Nicholas Hilliard and the jury, Power swore on oath that the 11:47 call from Beales was simply her passing on a message and declaring her love for him. Bollocks it was! It was obvious to me that what Beales’ said to her boyfriend triggered anger and his loss of control.

 

The judge said that he was sure that there was a meeting planned and arranged before 11:50 on that day. But he was unaware of events that morning. Had he known these very important facts, I believe he would have seen the meeting he disputed somewhat differently. It is very obvious that, as far as Moore was concerned, the “meet” was incidental and unplanned – triggered by Beales’ catalyst phone call.

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