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The Day I Interpreted For a Murderer

Writer's picture: Lauren Shadi | Director of GMYWLauren Shadi | Director of GMYW

Earlier this year, a French-speaking man was convicted of murder. I was his interpreter when he was brought into police custody. For reasons of confidentiality, and to protect myself, I am unable to go into specific detail. However, I hope the following account of my experience will be of interest to fellow and aspiring interpreters.


The charge on the booking was ‘murder’


The Sunday began like any other. I woke up and rolled over to check my phone. I’d

received a booking enquiry about a police job. I prefer not to work weekends if I can help it, as it’s the only quality time I get to spend with my family. However, this

booking was for an estimated duration of 10 hours. It’s rare that police jobs are predicted to last longer than a few hours (even though they usually go on for much longer, especially in custody), so I was intrigued. When I clicked on ‘more details’, and saw the charge was ‘murder’, I knew I had to accept the booking. Knowing how much I thrive on police assignments, my husband was full of encouragement. The guilt I felt at leaving him and my kids on a Sunday was soon replaced with feelings of excitement. I made a sandwich, threw some snacks, a flask of tea and my laptop into my work bag and set off for the police station.


I had no idea of what to expect. I’d interpreted for people in custody arrested for

serious offences before, but never a suspected murderer. When the officers brought him to the desk, I was stunned to see a young boy wearing the standard grey tracksuit provided. He didn’t look a day over 18!


The custody sergeant booked him in, explained his rights and gave him the

opportunity to read the police code of practice, and I interpreted. He was then

escorted back to his cell and I was told to wait in a room reserved for various

agencies involved in the process until the duty solicitor arrived.


A lot of waiting around


It was a long wait, but I’m used to waiting at custody jobs, so I always come

prepared with my laptop and am grateful for the time to work on translation projects and never-ending admin tasks. You meet some interesting people during these waiting periods too. I always enjoy chatting with other interpreters in waiting rooms….

Not long after, my French-speaking client’s ‘appropriate adult’ arrived. Their role is to safeguard the interests, rights, entitlements and welfare of children and vulnerable people who are suspected of a criminal offence. It turned out that he was an ex-forensic police officer, so we had some interesting discussions.


First time in a cell


An officer took me to the cell to interpret when two independent mental health nurses came to ask the detainee standard questions to assess his mental health. It was the first time I’d been in a cell. It was a bare room with nothing but a bench with a thin mattress that reminded me of the gymnastics mats at my secondary school, and a blanket. Just outside sat an officer. Apparently, since arriving, my client had been banging his head against the wall repeatedly, and therefore required 24-hour observation.

Several hours later, the solicitor arrived and he, the accused and I were taken to a

consultation room for what is known as disclosure; in layman’s terms, this is when

the accused explains what happened, to their solicitor. As horrific as the details of

the incident were, I had to keep my composure. Although the natural reaction may be to gasp, no personal emotion can show on my face or in my voice. I’ve been doing this job for 12 years now, so I’ve mastered this art. But it’s not always easy.


I interpreted from behind a curtain as the suspect swabbed his intimate parts


After another long wait, I interpreted whilst the detainee had swabs taken. With a

curtain around him to protect his dignity, through my translation, he followed the

instructions to swab his intimate parts. The police also took samples of his hair and nail clippings to match with DNA from the crime scene. The appropriate adult was present too, and we had a discussion about the forensic aspect. I found the whole thing fascinating.

Then it was back to the agency room until the psychiatrist and mental health

practitioners arrived. They would carry out an assessment to decide if the accused

was mentally aware of his actions, and stay in the criminal justice setting, or be rerouted to a mental health establishment. Their decision would determine whether or not he was fit for police interview. The psychiatrist and her colleagues asked questions about the suspect’s childhood and journey to the UK, as well as the fatal events of the night before. This part lasted about an hour, and then there was yet more waiting, whilst the team reached a decision on how to proceed.

It was decided that the young man had mental capacity and would remain in custody for police interview. At this point, it was gone 11 pm; way past the estimated 10 hours. I was so completely overwhelmed and shocked by the whole incident that I had a permanent adrenaline rush and didn’t feel remotely tired. Nevertheless, there are rules which state that in a 24-hour period in custody, detainees have a right to eight hours’ rest. The officer told me they would have to wait until the morning to interview and asked me to come back for 8.30 am.


An impromptu overnight stay at the Premier Inn with a custody toothbrush


I knew that the moment I got in my car the tiredness would hit, so, with the agency’s agreement, I decided to book into a hotel for the night. I had no toothbrush, no PJs and no makeup remover, but there was no way I wasn’t coming back to continue this job. I googled the nearest Premier Inn. It was now 11.45 pm. I had no idea whether to select the current date or the following day’s date on the booking. It was a bizarre situation, as I’d never booked a hotel room for the same night, 15 minutes before the end of the day! I called the hotel for their advice. “Book for today’s date,” said the receptionist. “But you need to do it before midnight or you won’t be able to get the room tonight.” I quickly made the online reservation. I joked about not having my toothbrush, and the custody sergeant provided me a very basic toiletry kit that they give to people in custody.

We were in the thick of Covid, and that Premier Inn was like a ghost town. There was just one other vehicle in the carpark apart from my car. The receptionist informed me that the only other rooms taken were occupied by builders working on a nearby project. Even the breakfast room was closed. I ended up at Asda near the police station at 7.30 am buying a baguette and some cheese for my breakfast. It seemed like such a mundane thing to be doing, and yet the reason I was there in the first place was far from mundane!


The police interview


Shortly after I arrived, the police began the interview. Once more, the traumatic

events were picked apart. Graphic images were also shown. The officers warned me prior to displaying the photographs of the dead body that I did not have to look at the screen if I preferred not to. I appreciated the forewarning but I was ok with it. Although I’m a wimp at the dentist, I’m actually very tough when it comes to my job and I can take a lot.


Interpreting the murder charge


After the interview, the suspect was returned to his cell once more, while the

decision was made to charge him. He was then brought back to the custody desk,

and I interpreted as the sergeant read the charge of murder to him. He showed zero emotion. No remorse whatsoever. I continued to interpret as the sergeant explained what would happen next: the young man would be staying in the police station and would appear in the magistrates’ court the next day when the case would be committed to the crown court. Essentially, he wasn’t going home for a very long time….

And my job was done. I got in my car, put on my music, to give my mind something else to focus on, and drove home to give my husband and kids a massive hug…and have a nap.


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