australian television information archive

A Lawful Apprehension

Charged with murder and facing a life in prison, Mal Hennessey is planning an escape, but he can't do it without the help of his younger brother, Steve. Mal hides a blade in the prison van and makes his escape on the way to court. Steve is waiting for him with a motorbike and the pair don't stick around!

On the lam, with the police hunting them, the brothers need cash and turn to the only money-making means they know — armed robbery. Heavily disguised, Steve and Mal move on an armoured van at a shopping centre, but their car is spotted by police, and Peter Faithful and the Tactical Response Squad are waiting for them.

Watching the armed men walking towards a crowded shopping centre, Peter Faithful makes a split-second decision to stop Mal and Steve Hennessey before they can get to the van as it is too dangerous to let them hold up the can with so many innocent people around. That decision has far-reaching effects for Peter Faithful, his crew, but especially the Hennesseys.

Meanwhile, at the Magistrates Court, the life of a female prosecutor is being immortalised in print, as Jenny Hanson finds herself the subject of a national magazine. It is not an ideal situation for Jenny, as her court appearance is a disaster.