The inspiration for The Last Witness!
I was a 23-year-old rookie reporter when I unwittingly found myself covering a major court trial, one that would go on to make front page news in the city where I worked, as well as hitting the headlines nationally too.
As I scribbled frantically in shorthand, trying not to freeze in abject terror at the responsibility I shouldered, I felt something else too. The most incredible excitement.
I say unwittingly because I wasn’t supposed to be there. Trainees weren’t allowed to cover crown court trials. I can’t remember why I was there, it was probably something mundane like the paper being short-staffed, but once I’d covered the first day, it was decided that I should stay for the duration.
“Don’t tell them you’re a trainee,” the news editor warned and I nodded complicitly. That trial was the start of many hours spent as a journalist in courtrooms, covering both magistrates’ and crown court hearings. I witnessed relief as defendants were found not guilty, and shock and resignation when they were convicted and given a prison sentence. I met people who wanted to talk to me and people who did not. I had shoes thrown at me (true story – the poor young man had to hobble into court with one shoe afterwards).
Footwear aside, I thoroughly enjoyed my time as a court reporter but the reason I had gone into journalism was because I loved to write. I had always dreamed of being an author and in the many hours I spent sitting on the press bench, I considered how unique the court system was, where the details, mistakes and flaws of humankind are exposed, the very public unfolding of a complex story.
It inspired me to write a novel based on a trial, although it felt like a pipe dream. One day, I told myself with determination. One day I’ll do it.
Twenty years later, one day is finally here in the publication of The Last Witness, which tells the story of a woman who becomes a key witness in the trial of a man charged with death by dangerous driving. That rookie reporter’s dream has come true.
And perhaps there’s another court story or two yet to be told in a future book!
Pick up your copy of The Last Witness today: https://mybook.to/lastwitness