Disgraced detective Jean Dixon, played by Elizabeth Berrington, takes centres stage in Ridley series 2 episode 2.

An old colleague of Ridley, Jean Dixon previously appeared in the series’ very first episode, where she suffered a major fall from grace. But in series 2, episode 2 the team at Copelton District Police Force need her input when a cold case she was once involved in is reopened.

But what did she do that led to her and the Copelton cops parting on such bad terms? Read on for all the details!

What we learned about Jean Dixon in Ridley series 1

Jean Dixon is, in fact, the very first character Ridley interacts with in that very first episode, when she knocks on the door of the rented lakeside boathouse he now calls home. All we’ve seen of Ridley before that point is him moping about the boathouse, sleeping on the sofa, listening to jazz on vinyl, replaying his dead wife’s answer phone message and failing to unpack boxes of family photos.

He’s clearly in a bad way, so when Jean comes to visit you assume it’s a social call – an old friend checking up
on a bereaved colleague.

Not that Ridley is keen on letting her see inside: “Place is a bit of a mess. I’ll get my boots on, we’ll go for
a walk.”

At first it seems Jean’s main function is help fill viewers in with Ridley’s back story. Through their conversation we learn that he’s been forced into retirement following the death of his wife and daughter.

“‘Access to pension on medical grounds’ was the phrase they used to dress it up,” he grimaces.

“Well, I used to run a major crimes team,” replies Jean, “and these days, the school run is about as exciting as it gets.”

Ridley also thanks her for turning up at the funeral.

So just two old coppers catching up with each other. But is that all it is?

Alarm bells over Jean Dixon’s motivation start ringing

The conversation takes a different turn when Dixon not-so-casually asks: “You heard from Carol Farman lately?” Carol, of course, being Ridley’s replacement on the Copelton Force.

“Carol? Yeah. No, I suspect she’s busy. You know, with the promotion and that,” says Ridley.

“So you won’t have heard about last night’s homicide? Sheep farmer in Wensbeck. Jesse Halpin. I thought it would be better if you heard it from me…”

This clearly strikes a chord with Ridley – Dixon’s clearly referring to an old case they’ve worked on together. Jean’s trying to sound casual, but Ridley – his old instincts kicking in – immediately puts two and two together

“So this wasn’t a social call, Jean,” he says. “You came all the way out here – what? To warn me off? Is that it?”

“It’s just some friendly advice, that’s all,” replies Dixon. “From one ex-copper to another. You can’t solve them all, Ridley. It doesn’t pay to dwell on the past.”

She’s still trying to make it sound like she’s doing Ridley a favour, but there’s something odd about her manner. The clear inference is that she also has an interest in letting sleeping dogs lie.

The case that lead to Jean Dixon’s disgrace

Later in the episode we learn more about the case Jean is referring to.

In the present day, a farmer called Jesse Halpin has been found shot dead. Jesse Halpin was a suspect in a case 14 years before, when a three-year-old girl called Zoe Lindsey was abducted at a holiday park in nearby Dunmore Sands.

Ridley and Dixon both worked on the case. Ridley questioned Halpin because his van was seen near where the abduction took place, and became convinced he had some connection to it.

Jean Dixon, though, was convinced another employee at the holiday park was responsible – a sex offender called Daniel Preston. All the evidence, including incriminating files on his laptop, pointed his direction but he was never actually arrested for the abduction.

“He’s serving time for for an unrelated offence,” Ridley tells Carol. “Indecently assaulting a minor. CPS ruled there was insufficient evidence to charge him.”

“And you think he was innocent?” asks Carol.

“The investigation was flawed, I know that much,” replies Ridley.

Of course, Ridley is bang on.

Jean Dixon’s mistake is revealed

So with Preston in jail and everyone apparently convinced he also abducted and killed Zoe, the investigation ground to a halt.

But the murder of Jesse Halpin is uncovering new details in series 2, and in a move that would have made one of Adrian Dunbar’s old characters, Ted Hastings, proud, Ridley is soon uncovering a bent copper.

When the mother of the abducted Zoe reveals that it was Jean Dixon who leaked to her the details of what was found on Preston’s laptop, Ridley realises what happened 14 years ago.

Jean Dixon had made up her mind Preston was guilty, and was not only doctoring evidence to get Preston put away, but also ignoring other evidence – including an interview Ridley conducted with a boy called Adam Moreland – that pointed in other directions.

And Dixon being an old colleague was not going to save her from the wrath of Ridley.

“We had no solid evidence,” protests Dixon when Ridley confronts her.

“You had a first-hand account of Zoe Lindsey’s abduction from Adam Moreland,” counters Ridley.

“A contradictory testimony from a seven-year-old child,” argues Dixon.

“That you manipulated to suit your version of the truth,” growls Ridley.