As the beginning of the episode, DCI Colin Sutton (Martin Clunes) prepares his team for the raids. He tells the journalists to stay out of their way. Colin explains that Levi Bellfield (Celyn Jones) will be at home with his partner Laura Marsh (Cara Theobold). Before too long, Colin gives the order to go. Several raids are carried out. Norman Griffiths (Philip McGinley) speaks with Laura. Clive Grace (Stephen Wight) announces that Levi isn’t there. The team searches for him frantically. Laura claims she doesn’t know where he is. Colin learns about Levi’s disappearance. Norman speaks with Laura again. He tries to coax an answer out of her. She tells him about Levi’s abusive behavior and eventually points upwards. Norman calls Colin and tells him that Levi might be hiding in the loft. Colin intends to get the TSG on it.

Norman prepares to look in the loft. He peeks his head through the hole before getting help up. Levi is eventually found and arrested. He doesn’t put up any resistance. Levi curses at Colin as he is led to the squad car. Back at the station, Colin gears up for the interview. Levi is set to be represented by David Smith. Colin jokes with Bellfield about the Spurs. Colin watches as Levi is questioned by Jo (Katie Lyons) and Gary Cunningham (Steve Furst). He is asked about the Courier van. Levi admits he knows the area in the pictures pretty well. He is asked about another area. He knows that it is Spring Grove Road. He knows Isleworth. Levi denies buying a white courier van. He asks them if they have the van. Levi doesn’t seem too impressed with the evidence against him.

The team begins running out of time. Colin asks Norman what Laura said. He learns about Levi’s violent outburst. Jo and Colin visit Laura. She tells them about her relationship with Levi. She seems worried that Levi might be getting out. She is afraid of speaking out against him. Laura tells them about the first time she threatened to leave Levi. She asks about Amelie’s stuff being found near the bridge. She reveals that Levi raped her under Walton Bridge. Levi is charged with rape and assault. Bail is denied. In court, Levi lashes out after learning the news.  Chris (Jay Taylor) and Neil (Steffan Rhodri) give out evidence at the station. Colin tells them that they need to expand on the current evidence. Laura continues tells them about Levi. She tells them about Levi’s mood on a certain day.

It seemed like a switch had flipped. She tells them that she called Levi and asked him to get some milk. He didn’t answer so she left a message. Colin speaks with Andrew of the CPS. He tells Andrew all about the evidence. Andrew isn’t satisfied with the evidence. He doesn’t believe that they’re ready for court. Later, Clive suggests looking at the vehicle involved in Marsha’s attack. Colin receives a visit from Laura. She wants to talk about Milly Dowler. She tells them about renting a flat in Collingwood Place in 2002. Levi disappeared for an entire day and his mobile was shut off. Levi took her car. It was a Daewood. She didn’t hear from him until about 11. Levi had changed clothes he had probably gotten from Collingwood Place. The following day, Laura was forced to call Levi and ask where her car was. He agreed to call a cab and fetch it together. Levi couldn’t find the car and claimed it was nicked.

Laura was forced to file a police report. Colin speaks with Louise (Claudie Blakley) about the evidence. Louise tells him that she has been removed from Milly’s case. Colin makes Louise breakfast in bed. He has confirmed the move-in date. Colin and Jo meet with Steve Scott (Howard Ward). Colin tells them about Laura’s account. CCTV footage identified a red car just like the one Laura mentioned. Steve isn’t interested in pointing the finger at Levi. A phone call interrupts Steve’s rant. Colin tells Jo that forensics is having another go at the Marsha footage. Louise spots them leaving her place of work. At the office, Chris introduces Colin to DS Nicola Hart (Matti Houghton). Nicola is just there to help. Colin agrees to let her stay. Footage from a pub wasn’t reviewed.

The team begins looking at the tape right away. The bus goes by and Levi’s Previa follows it. The mark from the leaking petrol cap is visible on the side of the vehicle. Colin meets with Amelie’s parents. He tells them that Amelie would be alive if the tape had been viewed earlier. They agree it very well and thank Colin for his honesty. They just want him to bring the evil man to justice. They eat together. Colin gets a call from Steve. Steve apologize and agrees to make Bellfield their top priority. Jo calls Colin. She has a possible way to find the receipt from Somerfield. They find Laura’s receipt. Andrew calls Colin and tells him that the charging advice is coming through. The team celebrates. Colin reads the charges to Levi.

We learn that Bellfield was found guilty in February of 2008 and sentenced to spend his life in prison. He received another life sentence after being found guilty of murdering Milly in June of 2011.

 

Manhunt Review

I enjoyed Manhunt immensely. It didn’t have a real climax, but it was satisfying nevertheless. In the end, the team compiled enough circumstantial evidence to convict Levi Bellfield. It was nice that the show didn’t blow things out of proportion and make Colin look better than he was. He just stuck with his methods and everything eventually panned out. The finale was pretty good and the acting was great. It scores an 8 out of 10. Catch up with previous recaps of Manhunt now!