It’s 1684 and John Martin is on trial for murder, fighting for his life. The presiding judge is the notorious John Jeffreys – but can you be convicted for murder if the victim has subsequently been spotted alive?

Writer and director Mark Gatiss continues the resurrection of the BBC’s A Ghost Story for Christmas thread with a half-hour adaptation of one of M. R. James’ lesser-known stories, taken from 1911 anthology, More Ghost Stories of an Antiquary.

The original story is written as a trial transcript, which Gatiss uses as the tale’s framing device, with fruity antiquarian Simon Williams sat in his contemporary living room, knocking back Madeira wine and recalling how he picked up the transcript.

While revolving around the trial of predatory rogue John Martin, who leads ‘simple girl’ Ann Clark on a merry dance, exploiting her to his deviant wishes, it’s Peter Capaldi’s King’s Counsel which brings the story to life. Bedecked in a stacked, powered wig, he solemnly presents his testimony to Elliot Levey’s Judge Jeffreys, who is more interested in playing his (literal) gallows humour to the gallery.

As each witness shares their story, we flashback to key moments in the sorry story until the final shocking moments in the courtroom as the ghoul-like Ann appears to Martin. Ultimately, it’s a familiar story, that while well told, does nothing new.

Verdict: At half an hour, this ghostly tale is the right length, but will struggle to be remembered as a classic. The great cast ensures that this is worth a watch, but hopefully next year’s can add a tingle to the spine. 7/10

Nick Joy