06/04/01 - Statement of SPENDIFF-SMITH JASON PAUL
WITNESS STATEMENT
(CJ Act 1967, s.9; MC Act 1980, ss.5A(3) (a) and 5B; MC Rules 1981, r.70)
Statement of: SPENDIFF-SMITH, JASON PAUL
Age if under 18: OVER 18 (if over 18 insert'over 18')
Occupation: UNEMPLOYED
This statement (consisting of 10 page(s) 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 anything which I know to be false or do not believe to be true.
Signed:
Date: 06/04/2001
I make this statement, having already provided previous statements to Police officers investigating the murder of my friend Dean BOSHELL . I have already mentioned in previous statements that the last time I saw Dean was on Tuesday 27th February 2001 (27/2/2001).
Dean was at my address of BLANK, and also there was Charlotte TAYLOR another person who lives at that address. Dean left the address around 9 pm (2100), and he had told me he was meeting his brother who was going to pick him up, and then go on to meet a male called Ricky.
I am aware of Dean having a friend called Ricky PERCIVAL, who Dean had described as being a person not to be messed about with. This I took to mean that Ricky PERCIVAL would cause you harm. Dean regularly spoke about PERCIVAL, and regularly mentioned his nasty streak. Dean said that PERCIVAL was a good friend to have, but you didn't want to get on the wrong side of him.
I was in the bedroom when Dean said goodbye. I remained there, and he left. I have had no contact with Dean from that moment, by telephone call or any other means. I had a mobile telephone, which was a Motorola 'WAP' phone, coloured black.
I am unsure of the model. The number for my phone was BLANK. My phone had a facility which showed the number of the person calling, unless it was withheld, when the word 'anonymous' would show.
At this time, this was the only mobile phone I had. About 9.20 pm (2120) that evening, I was still at home, when I received a call on my mobile phone. The display showed 'anonymous'. I answered the 'phone and the person calling said "JASON," I said "Yeah". The caller then said "It's Rick". I said "Rick who?" and he replied "Deans mate Rick." I believed this to be Ricky PERCIVAL, as although I have never met him before, or spoken to him, he was the only person I am aware that Dean knew who had that name.
The voice was that of a male and was deep and husky. The caller spoke very fast, but I do not recall any particular accent. The caller asked "Is DEAN there?" I replied "No, he's gone". The caller then said "If he comes back, tell him to meet me at half-nine (2130) outside the same place."
I had no idea where this particular place was. He then asked about me, if I had found a job, how was I and also asked about Charlotte. He also asked me about football, and I told him I supported Manchester United, which he told me he did not like. I did ask him who he supported, but I cannot recall his reply.
He seemed very friendly towards me, which I found strange as I had never met him or spoken to him before. I would guess this call lasted 4 maybe 5 minutes. I do recall the call was a very clear line with no interference.
I do not remember any further phone calls of significance that night. I stayed indoors that night, I may have visited a local shop briefly for some cigarettes, but I am uncertain. I did however sleep that night at BLANK.
The following morning Wednesday 28th February 2001 (28/02/2001), I was awoken by the sound of my mobile 'phone ringing. This would have been between 9 (0900) and 11 am (1100), but I cannot recall exactly. The 'phone's display again showed 'anonymous1. I answered the call.
The caller said "JASON." I replied "Yeah." He then said "It's Rick, you'd better keep your big mouth shut." I then said "What's the matter?" He replied "You know whats the matter." I was about to reply 'No' meaning I did not know what the matter was, but he carried on words similar to "if you don't keep your big mouth shut, you are going to get hurt" and he also said "you'd better watch your back."
He also said "I will cut you." This particular call lasted about 2-3 minutes from what I can remember. I was still 'coming round' from having just woken up. The voice was definitely the same of the person who had called me the previous night identifying themselves as Deans mate Rick'.
This time however he was shouting and very aggressive throughout the call. I was puzzled by this as at this time I did not know of any reason why this person would want to be aggressive or threatening to me.
The caller also sounded nervous, as though something was worrying him, and throughout the call kept taking deep breaths, and sounded as though he was getting wound up. Having been told by Dean that Ricky PERCIVAL is a person 'not to be messed about with' and someone who could cause harm I was worried.
I had no idea of any reason why he would wish to harm me at this time. (1403 hours break taken 1412 re-commenced). I don't recall any further calls from this person that day. The following day, Thursday 1st March (01/03/0000) I went into Southend town centre to look for a job. When I was in Southend I saw an 'Evening Echo' poster outside a newsagents which had words similar to "Body of 24, male found in Leigh."
I went into this shop which is near the 'Royals' Shopping Centre to buy cigarettes. Whilst in there I looked at the "Evening Echo' which described a murder. It described the clothing worn and as I had lent Dean some clothing before he went out, I recognised it as possibly being mine, and I thought the dead person was probably Dean.
At this point I then realised why I had possibly received the threatening 'phone call. Again, having been told by Dean of Ricky PERCIVALS capabilities, I became frightened, and I still am. I received a further call on my mobile 'phone that evening. Again, the phones display showed 'anonymous', and it was the same voice as previously.
I answered the call, this time the caller did not identify himself, but I recognised the voice. He sounded angry, although not as much as the previous call. He was shouting at me. He said to me "Make sure you keep your mouth shut or your family is going to get it". He said "I know where you live" and "Your brother Matthew has got to look out for himself as well."
I had never mentioned my brother to this person, although I do have a brother, MATTHEW that I had spoken to Dean about, and who DEAN had met. I assumed Dean had mentioned MATTHEW to his friends.
The male also stated "I know where your parents live, I am going to fuck your mum then cut her up." He also again said "Keep your mouth shut, I won't do it, I will get someone else to do it if I can't and you know I will."
I did not say anything as I was too frightened. By now, due to these threatening calls, and that I know DEAN was going to meet Ricky and his brother, and that Ricky was waiting for him and telephoned me, I came to an opinion that Ricky PERCIVAL had either killed Dean, had something to do with Dean's death or perhaps was present.
Again, because of this I was very frightened and still am. Again I would suggest this call lasted 3-4 minutes. Since this time I have received about 3 or 4 further calls all from the same person, and all have shown 'anonymous' on the 'phones display.
Every one of these calls have consisted of threats to me. They have all been in an aggressive tone and have consisted of the threats of "Don't say anything", "Watch your back" and that "I am going to cut you up", "I am going to shoot your knees" and "I am going to beat you up so badly, I will leave you to die."
The last time I received a call was around Thursday 29th MARCH 2001 (29/03/2001). At this time, which would have been I believe shortly before 4 pm (1600), I was walking towards Southend so I could sell my mobile 'phone as I was getting concerned about these calls. As I was walking along in the town my 'phone rang.
Again my phones display showed 'anonymous', and I answered the call. Again it was the same male, and he said "I hope you're being good Jay." This was said in a calmer manner. I said "of course" and he then lost his calmness and started being abusive. He made the same threats as I have earlier described.
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