Author Description

Fear and despair pervaded the Housing Dept. At Southend Council. For years William Muckley, the Deputy Director, had ruled the department with a ruthless disregard for all who worked there. A powerful combination of cunning and surface-charm equipped him remarkably in his ambition to reach the top.Complaints were made against him but Muckley was clever. It was always difficult to prove what he said or done. He was plausible, convincing.Ann Archer was one of the few in the department who were fearless of him. Muckley knew that he couldn't penetrate her armour of defiance against his intimidation. Her 20 years experience in the job had taught her when to keep quiet and how to bide her time.Over the years Councillors and officials did nothing. Choosing either not to believe the stories about Muckley or preferring the quiet life.Muckley was invincible. Or so it seemed. Then, in a council by-election, a man was elected who was to have a profound and devasting effect on events at Southend Council.Following his election Ron Levy began to hear of Muckley's notoriety. People cam to him complaining of his unfair and dreadful treatment with their housing problems.Confrontation with Muckley about the complaints met with a firm denial. Ron didn't believe him but what could he do about it? As a fledgling councillor he was still learning about the system. Ward residents came to Ron with further stories that shocked him into action. The Housing Manager could not help. The Town Clerk would not help. He said he had heard these complaints before and there was nothing to them.Then one day while he was out on a council matter his wife Patricia recieved a telephone call from a mother with 3 young children asking to speak to him. She sounded very distressed. She wanted to see Ron urgently. Ron invited her to come immediately, and she arrived within 10 minutes. Patricia sat in on the interview to comfort her. She said her name was Mary Bates and nervously told Ron her husband had been sexu