Judge used Google translate to speak to African asylum seeker
A judge had to use Google's translate tool to speak to an asylum seeker in court because they could not find an interpreter who spoke his language.
Eritrean national Abdoela Berhan, who gave his age as 34, appeared before magistrates on charges of assault and criminal damage.
But the defendant told the court that he could not speak any English.
District judge Orla Austin said she could not take his pleas or outline the circumstances of the case if Mr Berhan could not understand what was being said.
The court clerk said they could not source a translator who spoke the same African language so had to adjourn the case to try to find one.
But they needed to inform Mr Berhan of his bail conditions and the date for when he needed to return to court.
Ms Austin typed the bail conditions and instructions for returning to court into Google translate on her laptop.
The clerk then approached the dock and held up the device to the defendant so he could read it.
The case highlights the difficulties UK courts face in dealing with immigrants who cannot speak English.
Ministry of Justice (MoJ) figures for 2023 showed £59.2 million was spent on interpreters in three years. The majority of this was for foreign criminals in court hearings, although some was also for witnesses or tribunals.
The figures also showed that since 2020, the MoJ's translation bill increased from £16m to £22m a year. A spokesman said this was because courts are hearing more cases since the pandemic.
Mr Berhan is alleged to have assaulted a Subway assistant manager on Nov 30, punched a woman in the face at a nightclub on Dec 7 and smashed a window at the hotel where he's living in Bournemouth, Dorset, on Feb 19.
His case was adjourned until May.
Eritrea is a one-party state and has not held elections for several years. According to international organisation Human Rights Watch, it has one of the worst human rights records in the world.
It has no official language but the main working languages are Tigrinya, Arabic and English. Eritrea is one of top 10 nationalities applying for asylum in the UK and has a very high acceptance rate.
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
an hour ago
- Miami Herald
‘Brazen' 688-year-old murder of medieval priest solved. ‘Thirst for vengeance'
In 1337, a priest named John Forde walked down a busy street in London where he was ambushed and killed in broad daylight as crowds milled about. Now, researchers at the University of Cambridge have solved the brazen murder, believed to have been carried out at the request of Ela Fitzpayne, an English noblewoman with a 'thirst for revenge,' according to a study published June 6 in the peer-reviewed journal Criminal Law Forum. Researchers called Westcheap, where Forde was killed, London's 'commercial and ceremonial heart.' It was also 'London's most prominent homicide hotspot,' researchers said, adding that Forde's killing ranks among 'one of the most extraordinary events' to take place there. On May 3, 1337, Forde ran into a fellow priest who 'distracted' him with friendly conversation before four men, all with connections to Ela Fitzpayne, attacked him, according to a June 5 news release from the University of Cambridge. One slit his throat with 12-inch dagger and two others stabbed him 'in the belly with long fighting knives,' according to the study. Researchers said Forde's murder was instigated Fitzpayne who had been publicly denounced by the Archbishop of Canterbury for having 'sexual affairs 'with knights and others, single and married, and even with clerics in holy orders,'' including Forde, while she was married, according to the study. Forde's complicated connections to Fitzpayne Records suggest Forde, who was also accused of being in a gang with Fitzpayne and her husband, may have been the one to inform the archbishop of her dalliances, experts said. Forde 'went from being in Ela Fitzpayne's crime gang and possibly her bed, to a player in her denouncement,' according to the release. 'The archbishop imposed heavy, shameful public penance on Ela, which she seems not to have complied with, but may have sparked a thirst for vengeance,' researcher Manuel Eisner said, per the release. 'Not least as John Forde appears to have escaped punishment by the church.' In an effort to 'publicly humiliate' Fitzpayne for her supposed affairs, she was ordered to take 'barefoot walks of shame across Salisbury Cathedral,' and pay large sums of money to the clergy and the poor, experts said. Experts said 'the brutal show of strength' on Westcheap that day may have served to remind 'the clergy of the power of the nobility, and that Ela Fitzpayne doesn't forget or forgive,' according to the news release. 'A woman in 14th century England who raided priories, openly defied the Archbishop of Canterbury, and planned the assassination of a priest,' Eisner said, summing up Fitzpayne's legacy. 'Ela Fitzpayne appears to have been many things, including an extraordinary person,' he said. Ford's was one of 355 unsolved homicides documented by the Medieval Murder Maps project — a database created by the University of Cambridge that visualizes spatial patterns of 14th-century killings in London, Oxford and York, according to the study. The Cambridge news release and the Medieval Murder Maps project lists the year of Forde's killing as 1337, while the study says it occurred in 1336.
American Military News
2 hours ago
- American Military News
Pic: Missing American-Israeli couple's bodies recovered from Hamas terrorists
Israel Defense Forces confirmed on Thursday that the bodies of an American-Israeli couple murdered by Hamas during the terrorist organization's attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, were recovered as part of a special military operation in Gaza. In a Thursday post on X, formerly Twitter, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced, 'In a special operation by the Shin Bet and the IDF in the Gaza Strip, the bodies of two of our abductees who were being held by the murderous terrorist organization Hamas were returned to Israel: Judy Weinstein-Hagi and Gadi Hagi from Kibbutz Nir Oz, may their memory be blessed.' The Israeli prime minister explained that the American-Israeli couple had been murdered by the Hamas terrorist organization in October of 2023 and that their bodies had been abducted by the terrorists and held hostage in the Gaza Strip prior to this week's special military operation. 'Judy and Gadi were murdered on October 7th and kidnapped to the Gaza Strip. Together with all citizens of Israel, my wife and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the dear families. The heart grieves for the most terrible loss. May their memory be blessed,' Netanyahu added. 'I would like to thank and honor the fighters and commanders for their determined and successful execution. We will not rest or be silent until we bring all our captives home – the living and the dead alike.' READ MORE: Video/Pic: Last living American hostage released by Hamas According to Fox News, the two American-Israeli citizens were killed while walking on the morning of October 7, 2023, in the Hamas terrorist attack that led to the death of roughly 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 individuals. Israel Defense Forces shared a picture of Judi and Gad Haggai on social media, noting that the two American-Israeli citizens were 'beloved parents, grandparents, and members of Kibbutz Nir Oz.' 'They were held hostage for 608 days by terrorists in Gaza. On October 7, 2023, while taking their daily morning walk around the kibbutz, they were murdered and abducted,' Israel Defense Forces stated. 'Judi, a devoted special education English teacher and caregiver, and Gad, a kibbutz cook, were known for their love for their community.' In Thursday's posts, Israel Defense Forces pledged to continue operations until the remaining 56 Hamas hostages are returned. Judi and Gad Haggai were beloved parents, grandparents, and members of Kibbutz Nir Oz. They were held hostage for 608 days by terrorists in Gaza. On October 7, 2023, while taking their daily morning walk around the kibbutz, they were murdered and abducted. Judi, a devoted… — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 5, 2025
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘I'm not feeling seen': Racist graduation remarks highlight earlier concerns brought to officials
Parents and students in Lynnfield have raised concerns about how the town's schools address race — from the limited portrayal of Black history to reports of racism among students. Now, officials are being forced to confront those concerns after 'inappropriate' remarks were made during a high school graduation livestream. Lynnfield town employees could be heard using 'inappropriate and racist words' during a graduation livestream Friday. The video has since been remove but was seen and heard by people waiting to watch the Lynnfield High School graduation on Friday. The people in the video have been placed on administrative leave during the investigation, town officials said. 'It is especially regrettable that this incident took place on what is and should be a night to celebrate our incredible seniors. Such incidents, however, must be confronted directly and openly and a full investigation and appropriate action will be taken,' a statement by the town read on Facebook. The video was of people setting up chairs on the football field prior to the ceremony. At least two racist words can be heard clearly, Itemlive reported. 'We, as town leaders, stand together in outrage over what has been reported this evening and wish to state emphatically that racist language and behavior has no place in our town and will be dealt with immediately,' the town's statement continued. Select Board member Alexis Leahy spoke out against the comments and thanked the town administration for acting quickly. 'Discrimination not only undermines the values of equity and justice that a community is built upon, but it also divides us at a time when unity and understanding are more important than ever,' she wrote. Jamie Hayman of the school committee also spoke out stating that hundreds of students have now heard these words. 'And just as importantly, they are now watching what we do next. If we treat this only as a personnel issue, we miss a critical opportunity, to lead, to grow, and to teach,' he said. But it isn't the first time this issue has been brought up to the school board committee this year. On June 3, the school committee hearing prior to graduation, a parent, Carl Allien, told the committee that his son was dealing with 'some incidents' as an African-American. The school's principal had called Allien about 'some of the harsh things that my son has been enduring.' Although he did not provide any specifics, he said it wasn't about any specific person and asked for a meeting with the superintendent about these issues. '... it's been challenging for a young African-American kid in the schools,' he said. 'I'm struggling right now.' Two school board members encouraged Allien to leave his contact information with the district secretary for further conversation. In February, Joseph Dixon and his mother, Wendy, went in front of the committee to urge them to have better education and celebration of Black history. 'I'm not feeling seen,' Wendy Dixon said her son told her. Joseph Dixon said during his years at Lynnfield public schools, he has not seen Black history talked about beyond slavery and Martin Luther King Jr. 'We should learn about the many things that black people have contributed to our society and not just the struggle and hurt that they've been through,' he told the committee. He also encouraged education on other cultures too. 'I agree with you that we can do better,' Superintendent Tom Geary said. 'Thank you for being willing to speak. It's something we will talk about administratively on how to move forward with that.' Another school board committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday. Public comment is available. Ex-con arraigned on home invasion and armed robbery charges Rally to be held in Boston in response to ICE raids in LA 'Devastated' music legend cancels more shows due to health issues Hearing for Newton judge accused of helping man evade ICE begins Monday How a Springfield agency's mission evolved since its founding after the Civil War Read the original article on MassLive.
