Eight O’Clock Walk

Tom Manning, a taxi driver, is led to an abandoned bombsite by eight-year-old Irene, who claims she lost her doll. After leading him there, she teases him as part of an April Fool's prank, then runs off. Mrs Zunz witnesses Tom raising his fist in exasperation, showing the initial tension.

Later, Irene is discovered murdered on the same bombsite, strangled while singing 'Oranges and Lemons' and feeding the ducks. Her death shocks the community and sets off the investigation into her murder.

Tom Manning is taken in for questioning by Scotland Yard. Circumstantial evidence such as his handkerchief, a coat fibre, and Mrs Zunz's testimony point towards him as the suspect, leading to his arrest and subsequent charge for Irene's murder.

As a wartime pilot with a head wound, Tom begins to question his own mind, suspecting that he may have experienced a blackout or lost time, which could be relevant to his innocence or guilt.

Tom's wife, Jill, strongly believes in his innocence and contacts lawyers to defend him. However, their initial lawyer refuses to see her, wanting to keep an objective stance as the case progresses.

Junior counsel Peter Tanner, moved by Jill's conviction and Tom's protests of innocence, decides to take on the case. He begins to investigate the evidence more thoroughly at the trial.

The trial begins at London's Old Bailey, with Peter Tanner defending Tom and Geoffrey Tanner opposing him on behalf of the prosecution. It quickly becomes clear that the prosecution has a strong case against Tom.

Jurors express their opinions of Tom's guilt even before the trial concludes. Irene's mother provides hearsay that Tom had given Irene sweets, which is used as evidence against him, intensifying the suspicion.

Prosecution witness Horace Clifford testifies, and much of the evidence appears to point toward Tom's guilt. The case seems to be closing in on him as the court proceedings proceed.

Peter Tanner notices Clifford outside the courthouse giving a sweet to a young girl. He recognizes it as the same type of sweet found on Irene, raising doubts about Clifford's testimony and the prosecution's case.

Tanner confronts Clifford with the sweets and calls in a street musician to play 'Oranges and Lemons'. Under pressure, Clifford breaks down, which ultimately leads to Tom's acquittal and being cleared of the charges.