Ronald Denning pleads not guilty to raping Zoe McCormack. A legal matter sees the case adjourned. John is invited to celebrate a not guilty verdict and meets Sheila. He returns to the pub later and is shocked to learn she is a prostitute.
Zoe McCormack gives an account of the rape. Christine, a young athlete goes to a weekend training camp. She starts a sexual relationship with Chris, an athlete from Bristol. He is married with a child but acts indifferent when he visits.
Zoe McCormack faces a tough cross examination. Louise is an NHS nurse bringing up three teenage daughters. She is proud to be British but daughter Jo wants to be Jamaican. Jo walks out only to discover her boyfriend Eddie is a loan shark.
Miss McCormack's injuries are explained. Gerald is redundant and jury duty makes him feel important. He makes it clear the girl deserved it but questions his own life when learns his friend has been going to a prostitute for twenty years.
David runs a chemical company which is on the brink of liquidation. His bank gives him three weeks grace but he has jury service. When the judge refuses his only option is to except an offer from Alf Smith but it means paying him a bribe.
Mary is visited by George from the Social Security. Her boyfriend is spotted leaving and her Suplementary Benefit is taken. When she tells boyfriend Peter he hits her. In desperation, Mary pleads, with George to give her benefit book back.
Ronald Denning's cross examination gives Andrew a flashback, about 20-year-old Jane. Despite the age difference the pair dated. Andrew wanted more and attempted a pass, Jane fended him off. He became aggressive but realised he ruined it.
Julian works at a book publishers and was desperate to marry Carol, a teacher who always seemed to be busy. His mother thought Carol was a feminist and too modern for him. They broke up and he is now engaged to Carol's flatmate Margaret.
Mick works on a building site and has a Jack-the-Lad persona. His marriage, to Di, is falling apart and can't see it. Di walks out but finds that she has no support from either her best friend or her mum. Both tell her to return to Mick.
As the final summations begin, wide boy Steve admits, to John, he and Elizabeth were lovers. Elizabeth is sophisticated but likes Steve's wit. On an evening out the pair begin a brief fling but Elizabeth calls time leaving Steve deflated.
Ann meets Ian, a friend of her husband. He offers her a drink, bought from overseas. She goes to the police but the questions are intrusive and her answers are open to misinterpretation. Defence Counsel warns about making a wrong decision.
The jury is sent out and Andrew elected foreman. Voting is even, so the jury realise Denning must have made Zoe have sex. They must now decide whether it was reckless intent to get a rape conviction. The vote is stuck on 7-5 for guilty.
The Judge sends the jury back out but will except majority verdict. Mary thinks she has finally got the correct verdict. Christine admits Donald raped Zoe but doesn't think he knew any better. A secret ballot is cast and a verdict given
