Wednesday 21 November 2018

No interpreter


21 November 2018

Court hearing for Eatza Pizza boss accused of food hygiene offences is delayed
A court hearing for a pizza shop boss accused of food hygiene offences has been delayed - because he didn't have an interpreter.
Ali Rezai, 26, was due to appear at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Tuesday to face five charges of failing to comply with regulations.
[…]
The prosecution, brought by Middlesbrough Council, has now been adjourned until December 4 and a Farsi interpreter has been booked for the hearing.

Tuesday 6 November 2018

Deaf man ‘let down’ by police after assault as no interpreter available



6 November 2018

Deaf man ‘let down’ by police after assault as no interpreter available
 […] The 66-year-old was “badly shaken”, bruised and left with a cut on his arm after the incident on August 5. Mr Crackwell’s neighbour took him to Bethel Street Police Station to make a statement, but on arrival there were no BSL interpreters.
Mr Cracknell said: “When I arrived at the station and the police hadn’t been able to get an interpreter I felt bad and very upset.
“I need an interpreter, I have to understand what is happening and to explain what happened to me.”
Mr Cracknell had to communicate with officers by writing down everything down. But this was still a struggle as English is not his first language as he has spent most of his life using BSL.
He added: “I was shaken after the attack and disappointed there was no interpreter. I was told they only work Monday to Friday. This made me very angry and upset. Police need to have an interpreter working 24/7.”
Police say that the use of interpreters is outsourced and that they tried to get Mr Cracknell one but none were available.
A police spokesman said: “Officers have investigated this incident and carried out a number of enquiries, including obtaining a written statement from the victim from the outset.
“Norfolk police relies on sourcing interpreters from an external organisation and an appointment was made for an interpreter at a later date.