https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/18751074.do-speak-basic-english--pakistani-man-worcester-challenged-court/
26th
September 2020
'Do you speak basic
English?': Pakistani man from Worcester challenged in court
A
Pakistani man who 'threatened violence' was challenged by a magistrate about
whether he needed an interpreter as he was asked if he understood 'basic
English'.
Shabbir Choudhrey of
Canterbury Road, Ronskwood, Worcester admitted that he breached a
non-molestation order (NMO) when he appeared before magistrates in Worcester on
Thursday.
However, his solicitor,
Mark Sheward, asked that the case be adjourned for an interpreter who spoke
either Urdu or Punjabi as he did not believe the defendant's English was good
enough to understand what was happening in court.
The 42-year-old
admitted breaching the NMO on April 8 this year. He 'threatened violence
towards Ansa Elsa Ahmed and used abusive language towards her' which was
prohibited by the order made at the family court on June 14 last year and
amended on September 5 last year.
Mr Sheward said of his
client 'he does understand some English and he's able to answer questions that
are put to him'.
However, he added:
"The problem is that he doesn't understand everything."
Mr Sheward told
magistrates he had asked his client some questions and on some occasions he had
'looked at me blankly'.
"I think he would
benefit from an interpreter" said the city solicitor.
Mr Sheward added:
"It's going to be a guilty plea."
However, David
Shadwell, the chairman of the bench, said the WhatsApp messages he had seen
from the defendant 'were in perfectly good English'.
Mr Sheward said those
messages were not written by the defendant but by his brother-in-law, acting on
his behalf. He said the defendant's brother-in-law had previously interpreted
for him. Mr Sheward said: "But my Urdu isn't what it was."
Mr Shadwell then put
questions to Choudhrey directly in the dock, asking him why he was concerned
about not understanding what was being said in court.
The defendant replied:
"Again please."
The chairman persisted,
asking very slowly: "Do you understand basic English communication?"
Choudhrey answered that
he did. He was further asked: "Is the speech communication your worry,
that you cannot understand us?"
However, this was met
with silence from the defendant and the chairman said that answered his
question.
Magistrates then agreed
to adjourn for an interpreter until Thursday, October 1 when the defendant is
expected to be sentenced. He was granted unconditional bail until then.
