Chapter 41
Forty-One
POLICE INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT
Location: Nottingham Central Police Station
INTERVIEWING OFFICERS:
DI Denise Adebayo
DS Blair
SUBJECT: Oliver Sharpe
LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE:
Stephanie Cartwright, Solicitor
RECORDING COMMENCES
DI: For the record, please state your full name, date of birth and address.
OS: Oliver Sharpe. [Details given.]
DI: You are under arrest on suspicion of the murder of Vanessa Lambert of the Stables, Orchard Lane, Nottingham. Do you understand?
OS: Yes.
DI: The caution has been given. Let’s begin.
You were seen heading to Mrs Lambert’s property at approximately 13:15 hours. Why were you there?
OS: She invited me over.
DI: Invited you over for what?
OS: A drink.
DI: What kind of drink?
OS: White wine.
DI: And where was your wife at this time?
OS: She was out.
DI: Out where?
OS: I don’t know exactly. Town, I think.
DI: What happened after you arrived at Mrs Lambert’s house?
OS: She poured a glass of wine and we talked.
DI: Talked about what?
OS: General things. Property. Spain.
DS: Do you usually visit Mrs Lambert in the afternoon for wine and conversation?
OS: Sometimes, yes. Is that against the law?
DS: Neighbours report you were seen there frequently over recent weeks.
SC: My client is not obliged to respond to hearsay.
DI: Did your wife know you were planning to visit Mrs Lambert while she was out?
OS: No, but she—Emily wouldn’t have minded.
DI: Mr Sharpe, were you having an affair with Mrs Lambert?
OS: No, I was not.
DI: Did you kill Vanessa Lambert?
OS: I did not kill her.
DI: Despite admitting being alone with her at the time of her death and having her blood on your hands and clothing when officers entered the house at 13:52?
OS: Yes.
DI: You’re quite certain about that?
OS: Absolutely.
DI: Then help us understand how this afternoon ended with Mrs Lambert dead from a severe head injury.
OS: I can’t explain it.
DS: You were with her at the exact time she sustained the injury and yet you can’t explain?
OS: Because I don’t remember.
DI: You remember arriving, though. You recall drinking wine and talking, but evidently nothing after that?
OS: That’s right. I . . . I just can’t remember it.
DI: What’s the reason for this memory lapse, do you think?
OS: I don’t know.
DI: The attending officers reported that you were disorientated and attempted to leave the property when they arrived.
OS: I was confused. Scared.
DS: Or just attempting to flee?
SC: That is speculative.
DI: You’re aware that the toxicology results will show if you had drugs in your system, Mr Sharpe?
OS: Yes.
DI: And if it shows no foreign substances present?
OS: Then I don’t know what happened.
DI: Neighbours reported hearing a woman screaming shortly before officers arrived. Did Mrs Lambert scream, can you recall?
OS: I don’t know.
DS: You were found standing over Mrs Lambert’s body with her blood on your hands and clothing. How do you explain that?
OS: I can’t. If she fell, maybe I tried to help her. I don’t know. I didn’t hurt her, that’s all I know.
SC: Unless there are further questions, my client will not be answering any more at this time.
DI: Very well. This interview will be paused pending forensic and toxicology results. Mr Sharpe, you may wish to reconsider your position in the meantime.
RECORDING ENDS