BEST OF THE REST
24 HOURS IN POLICE CUSTODY Channel 4, 9pm
ANOTHER real life case in this utterly compelling series, and police get wind that a young woman has not been seen for a while, and two drug addicts have moved in to her flat.
“They pinned her down and made her inhale heroin,” says the anxious voice on the 999 call.
The officers realise it’s a case of “cuckooing”, when criminals take over the home of someone vulnerable to use as a base for drug dealing.
Community Officer Craig Pearce knows the female offender. She’s full of pleas of innocence, but her handbag contains two knives, a crack pipe, blades, two mobile phones, miniature scales, a vial, plus the prison ID of her boyfriend – who has just done a runner.
A disturbing case and an insight into the heroic work of community officers.
MARCELLA ITV, 9pm
THIS thriller has become so disturbing that we’re grateful for the week long wait between episodes just to recover. And it doesn’t let up tonight as we discover the driver of the blue lorry was stabbed with a surgical instrument.
Meanwhile, after analysing Adam’s phone records, the team realise he had contacted the KidsCall helpline, so Marcella (Anna Friel) pays Maya (Victoria Smurfit) a visit.
Tracing the call narrows down the search for the house in which Adam was held prisoner. Brace yourselves for a scene so grotesque, it’s nearly too much to watch.
Elsewhere, Marcella’s son Edward is most definitely not fine. He’s already crushed a mouse to death with his bare hands, so we’re not surprised.