Chapter 45
Forty-Five
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE POLICE
Major Crime Unit
INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT
Continuation Interview Under Caution
Exhibit Reference: ORC/INT/OS/02
Location: Interview Room 3, Central Police Station
Date:10/08/2026
Time Commenced: 10:07 hrs
Present:
Detective Inspector Denise Adebayo (DA)
Detective Sergeant Peter Blair (PB)
Ms Stephanie Cartwright, Solicitor (SC)
Oliver Sharpe (OS) :
PB: This is a continuation of the interview of Oliver Sharpe under caution. Mr Sharpe, you remain under caution. Do you understand?
OS: Yes.
PB: The time is ten-oh-seven hours. Detective Inspector Adebayo will continue.
DA: Mr Sharpe, are you familiar with the substance gamma-hydroxybutyrate?
OS: No.
DA: It’s more commonly referred to as GHB, a central nervous system depressant. In small quantities it can produce euphoria, lowered inhibitions, increased sociability. In larger doses it causes drowsiness, confusion, impaired judgement—and sometimes significant memory gaps.
OS: OK.
DA: Mr Sharpe, I’m going to be clear about our working theory.
You were with Mrs Lambert on Sunday afternoon.
At present, the evidence supports one of two conclusions: that you consumed GHB with Mrs Lambert by agreement, or that you administered it.
Either way, you were there, and she died from a violent head injury shortly afterwards.
OS: That’s crazy! How the hell have you come up with that?
DA: Toxicology results indicate the substance was detected in both your own blood sample and the victim’s.
OS: That’s ridiculous.
DA: Witnesses place you together. We have toxicology confirming its presence in both your systems. GHB is often used by consenting adults to enhance intimacy.
It can also impair recall, which means it might also help someone explain why they ‘can’t remember’ the crucial part of the afternoon in question.
OS: I did not do drugs with Vanessa.
DA: You said you’d both drunk wine.
OS: Yes.
DA: Because one possible interpretation of the evidence, Mr Sharpe, is that the two of you consumed the drug together. That you both made a decision to do so. Things got out of hand—perhaps the victim changed her mind about using it—and you became violent in the heat of the moment.
OS: Didn’t happen.
DA: Another possibility is that you administered it—with or without Mrs Lambert’s knowledge. You’ll understand why that distinction matters. Either way, she did something to anger you and you became violent, resulting in Mrs Lambert’s catastrophic head injury.
OS: What about a third scenario, where someone drugged both of us?
PB: Let’s test that. In your scenario, you are drugged without your knowledge, and so is Mrs Lambert. Who pours the drink? Who brings the GHB into the house?
OS: I don’t know.
PB: And where are you when this happens—in her kitchen, her lounge?
OS: I don’t know.
PB: Because for a third party to drug both of you, they either have to be inside the property with you, or they have to tamper with something you both consume. So which is it?
DA: Who do you think might do that, Mr Sharpe?
OS: Maybe Vanessa drugged me.
DA: And yet she is the victim. She is the one who has lost her life.
OS: Well then, somebody who wanted her dead and me to take the rap! Drug me so I’m confused. Drug her so she can’t fight back. Then leave me there looking guilty.
DA: You’re saying you were incapacitated, yet witnesses still place you entering Mrs Lambert’s property. You did not call an ambulance. You didn’t contact police. Help me understand why.
PB: Mr Sharpe?
OS: Vanessa was pushy. Texting constantly. Making excuses to get me over there. She wanted more, and I didn’t.
PB: So what are you suggesting?
OS: I’m saying she wanted something I didn’t.
PB: Did your wife know about this arrangement?
OS: Emily trusts me. I told her when I was going round there.
DA: But not on the day of her murder?
OS: Emily was out shopping, so I couldn’t.
DA: And now Ms Lambert is dead.
SC: This line of questioning is speculative.
DA: For now, Mr Sharpe, you will remain in custody. Your detention has been extended to thirty-six hours pending further forensic review. You may wish to reflect carefully on your position.
PB: This interview is concluded.
Time Concluded: 10:49 hrs
Recording Ends