Appropriate Adult: Is the ITV drama based on a true story?
ITV's Appropriate Adult is based on the real-life serial killers Fred and Rose West, who collectively killed at least 12 girls and young women between 1967 and 1987.
The two-part ITV drama not only tells the story of the monsters themselves , but also the aftermath of their deeds for a volunteer who was hired to act as an appropriate adult throughout Fred West's questioning.
Is the ITV drama Appropriate Adult based on a true story?
Appropriate Adult is based on the true story of Janet Leach, an English social worker who because enmeshed in the trial of Fred West, a monstrous serial killer.
Janet was called by Gloucester police in 1994, asking her to act as an appropriate adult for West.
In English law, the police are supposed to appoint an appropriate adult when children and vulnerable people are suspected of committing a crime.
This is to reduce the risk of a vulnerable suspect being led into an unsound confession by the police.
Little did Janet know that for 10 months, she would have to listen to West confess some to horrific murders in gruesome detail.
What is the ITV drama about?
Appropriate Adult tells the story of Janet Leach and Fred West, which has been the subject of great scrutiny, due to the seemingly intimate nature of their relationship.
West was nearly illiterate, so Janet was in charge of coaxing him through police interviewing. She tried to teach him to read and write.
Although he would not admit his crimes to the police, he allegedly made his shocking confessions to Janet in graphic detail.
Janet later said: "Fred would tell me these horrible things as if he was discussing the weather."
People questioned why Fred was speaking so freely to Janet.
He would not speak if Janet was not present and could call her throughout the week.
She said: “In the early days even the police were gossiping about my role.
“Some assumed I was a relative of Fred’s. Others thought we were having an affair.”
The ITV show explores why Leach continued her visits to West after police had stopped questioning him.
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West and Leach exchanged cards, letters and phone calls and Leach brought West underwear, batteries for his radio and tobacco.
Leach wrote him one letter in prison saying: “Hi Fred, here are the batteries you asked for. See you on Friday. Janet.”
He wrote one to her saying: “You look tired. Please take care of yourself. ps I thank God for having you for my friend.”