A TOP judge has branded prosecutors ‘incompetent’ after it failed to book an interpreter for a racial assault trial.

The Recorder of Chester Judge Elgan Edwards said half a day had been ‘wasted’ at Warrington Crown Court on Thursday when Lee McDonnell’s case could not be heard.

Prosecutors had overlooked ordering an interpreter to help McDonnell’s Sri Lankan victim Nadarajah Niranjan, who speaks Tamil, give evidence.

A furious Judge Edwards said: “It’s a scandal – an absolute scandal. It’s just sheer incompetence.

“Does Warrington Crown Prosecution System not take seriously these type of offences?

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