An 11-year-old interpreter, Scrabble and cheery security officers - a chaotic day at Hull Magistrates' Court - Hull Live

2021-12-29 19:54:42 By : Ms. Amy You

Our reporter witnessed some bizarre scenes at court on Wednesday

An 11-year-old child wanting to interpret for his dad, the mention of a game of Scrabble and cheery security staff dealing with characters from all walks of life - it can only be a day at Hull Magistrates' Court.

Hull Live reporter Greg Ford ventured to the court in Market Place on Wednesday armed with his notepad and pen to report on a number of cases and ensure justice prevails.

Here is what he witnessed:

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At the best of times Magistrates Courts in particular can seem chaotic places with lots of people coming and going, but with staff facing Covid-enforced backlogs and stricter restrictions, the pressure is really on.

Today was one of those days where no-one seemed to have a good idea what was going on -including me!

I'd been dispatched to court on Wednesday and had picked out a few cases of interest.

You usually get a good indication of how the day will go by talking to the courtroom usher, so when she asks me why I wasting my time in her room today, I knew I was off to a bad start.

For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of attending the magistrates court in Hull, it is mostly a pretty convivial place, passing through security is usually accompanied by a joke or two with the staff who man the desk there.

There are however some strict Covid-19 rules that have remained in place even while the rest of the world has eased its restrictions.

The courtroom I want to go in is full and the usher asks me to wait outside while they see if they can squeeze me in on a seat at the back.

I eventually get a seat, but I'm not filled with hope when I hear the cases entering courtroom five are wildly out of the published court list order. I've already missed one I had an eye on, and it is clear it is going to be a long morning.

The seating area outside the courtrooms is a long open space with perspex barriers except for courtroom one which has its own small area through a set of double doors.

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I'm outside courtroom three and I'm right in the thick of it, seeing people arrive, generally always confused about what is going on and the ushers dashing around trying to corral people to where they need to be at the right times.

Solicitors patrol the corridor shouting the names of clients they want to speak to before they enter the courtroom.

One Romanian man turns up with the intention that his 11-year-old son will represent him as an interpreter. The usher calmly explains that he'll have to come back once they've booked an actual translator later on the same day.

Next to me a young offender and his case worker are slowly become less friendly the more time the young man has to wait for his appearance.

They started the morning well swapping opinions on games (the young lad had never heard of the game Scrabble) but as time wears on, sat in the heat of the winter sun glaring through the large windows, it is clear they'd both rather just get it over and done with.

Through the barrier towards the seating area for courtroom five, a large gaggle of young women are sat playing loud videos on their phones.

A man, who was initially sat in the window nearby moves away in huff. It is unclear whether it is the sun that has finished him or the tinny sounds of the phone speakers.

Kevin Lazenby, 60, of Victoria Avenue, Hull, is the first to appear in courtroom three today. He is the man that I've just seen getting agitated outside.

That mood doesn't lift in the courtroom. He is accused of writing a sign with the intent to cause harassment or distress.

He pleads not guilty to the charges and will appear at court again on April 12, 2022.

Next up is a man accused of sending offensive, indecent or menacing communications who is already appearing from prison.

Mahfuzur Rahman Tarafdar, 35, of Bathurst Street in Hull, uses his time before the magistrates to argue on the finer points of law which he believed were keeping him incarcerated longer than necessary.

The clerk appearing herself over video link is facing all the problems that entails - including the dreaded 'you're on mute' - while managing a person also appearing by video link (Tarafdar).

At the risk of Tarafdar launching into another monologue, the usher cuts the video link after magistrates tell him he will be appearing again on December 22.

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I hear two more cases that go without a hitch but I'm left with little material to write as the cases are mostly part heard now with appearances to come.

As I exit the room the young offender is still there playing on his phone and the support worker is off in the distance taking a heavy sip from a cup of water.

I say my goodbyes to the cheery security staff who ask what they'll be reading today - it's this, a very unsuccessful morning at court.

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