Can the police really play these games?

[NotSoHappy]

The police have been investigating me now for 2 months. I was originally arrested after a work colleague made an accusation id abused an unknown child. The police have then, after literally trawling, found an alleged victim, Who stated i hadnt abused them but that they had a consensual Legal relationship with me. They made a statement from the alleged victim which states they cannot remember if I might have incited a relationship when they were 15. I am now (without being rearrested) accused of inciting sexual activity. This simply never happened. The police have told me several outright lies. Firstly , the person who apparently accused me, to someone else, has said they never made the accusation and refused to give a statement. then the person who said they'd been told id done this refused to make a statement to the police. They seized my phone and computer. After being questioned a second time, when their "new information" had come to light, they gave me back my phone as it was clear. They didn't send off the computer so my bail date has been further extended. They didn't make it clear, I've only just noticed but the alleged offense on my bail sheet has changed from sexual activity to inciting. There is literally nothing on the computer, I am innocent but my life is on hold. Can the police really get away with this? The alleged victim didn't come forward. The police approached them after they heard a rumour was circulating, the alleged victim then refused to co-operate but low an behold a statement appeared which my solicitor says is the most vague account they've ever seen. The police said they'd have to re-question the alleged victim- can they do this?

[LS]

Unfortunately they can do this, and it happens daily. You've experienced what the rest of us have, when the realisation that innocent until proven guilty is a myth on this sort of charge.

You just have to sit with it and let them get on with it, as there's precious little you can do about it.

Hopefully, in time plod will realise there's less than a 51% chance of getting you convicted and will drop the charges.

[Faith]

Sorry to hear what you are going through.

This sounds like typical plod behaviour...anything to get their conviction rate up. If the 'accuser' (if you can even call it that) isn't playing ball, then they may have trouble securing a charge.

HOWEVER
The alleged victim may be saying to all and sundry they aren't co-operating with the police...but that doesn't necessarily make it true.

Take care. The thing that will take the longest is getting the computer back. This takes an AGE.

Hopefully, as LS says, you will be NFA'd. But it's still a nasty ordeal to be faced with.

[NotSoHappy]

It really seems like they knew the first accusation wouldn't stick, so they have found something that might. It makes no difference, but I'm a young female. I've never even had a relationship with the male in question. My career is effectively over due to this- the police officer seem to be intent with making me out to be a paedophile. I did have a blind faith in the legal system prior to this. I was naive.

[LS]

That's how we all feel, and they prey on that naivete to get them through. The media goes to great lengths to show that the legal system and police are honest, when the reality is that they are far from it.

Most of us were brought up to believe that the police look at all allegations impartially and that if you are accused you tell the truth and all will be okay in the end.

The reality is that the police regard ALL allegations as true, and concentrate wholly on anything and everything that will get them a more than 51% chance of a conviction.

This means that when the accusation is put to you, knowing thus that they are not interested in any information which puts you in the clear, there is absolutely nothing to be gained from either answering their questions or in playing ball, because their minds are already closed to you being innocent.

[NotSoHappy]

I've read through the posts on this forum before plucking up the courage to post,and where sometimes I feel hopeful other times I just feel desperate. I dont understand how they can so easily arrest someone, without even a statement (the "evidence" was minutes from a meeting where someone mentioned that someone else had said I was Upto no good- since those two people have refused to make statements.) it seems the dc in question thought she was onto a winner, young female professional having elicit affairs with children. Not so. I wonder what the hell will appear on my crb, as they didnt rearrest me when they decided to change tack, just changed the allegation.

[Faith]

Are you a teacher, out of interest?

Don't worry about your CRB just yet, although the sad reality is, something may well appear even if they drop the case against you.

[NotSoHappy]

I work in education, and am aware this all shows on enhanced crb's. It's all so far fetched I sometimes can't believe that it's happening, it's like a bad dream.

[Faith]

It's not a nice situation to be in. Have you considered seeking support from your GP? And do you have a solicitor involved? Was a solicitor present in your police interview?

I work in education too. I was NFA'd in February but remain suspended. Waiting on my eCRB coming through from a different organisation; not sure what it's going to say.

[NotSoHappy]

I ended up at the gp within 2 weeks, it initially destroyed me but medication has helped. Luckily I have a solicitor who specialises in this via my union, but at the moment that's only for police interviews rather than a consultation and if i do seek other advice I could lose out on funded sols it goes to court (union clause of using their legal support). Solicitor was good though and got the property back they'd already scanned and cleared at my second interview, they just conveniently didn't send off my pc. It's pretty stupid, the allegation dates back to years ago, the computer they have is 2 months old. But they are going for a snoop round the hard drive anyway to find absolutely nothing. I hear the hr departments at councils are slower at getting people cleared through their procedures than the police. I'm glad you were nfa'd faith. Did they tell you at your bail date or casually give you a ring?

[Faith]

Well mud tends to stick. The HR officer at the school has raised a completely ludicrous issue saying there were discrepencies on my application form and is using that to maintain my suspension. Pushing for a dismissal and say it has nothing to do with police investigation...although it very transparently has

I was informed via my solicitor just before my bail date. Solicitor phoned up and was told by police that they were taking no action.

Glad that you have a specialist solicitor, this is super important! You sound like youre satisfied with the solicitor you have but if a charge comes (which it may well not) don't feel trapped by the unions terms. But that's something you needn't consider too much at this stage

Be prepared that the computer can take a long time to come back. There is a huge backlog in many locales.

What county are you in? Someone may be able to share experiences/ knowledge of solicitors. Don't go into any more detail than county obviously...public forum after all! Take Care

[daki]

The police are thugs with a uniform and a badge they can do whatever they want to hit their high targets

But a good defence team and you balance the odds

[NotSoHappy]

Before this I had a spotless record (detective took some venomous pleasure in telling me there'd never been so much as a late mark on my record). But the police have a habit of digging and digging and I have no doubt if there are no charges brought the hr department will have enough from the police file to make me look like the more incompetent person on the face of the earth. Every day I'm on bail I feel like its a double edged sword. They aren't calling me in for more questioning, so I suppose they don't have any more ludicrous allegations to throw at me, but then again they aren't calling me with a nfa decision. As for the pc- solicitor informs me the dc made a massive error in not sending it off for analysis in the first place, it's a 10 week turn around for priority which is why they rebailed me for 13 weeks this time, 10 weeks to dig, 3 weeks to decide it never bloody happened so there won't be any proof. If there is a charge, I'll say which county, but ATM I'll keep that to my chest :-)

[J&PVTHW]

Hello NotSoHappy

We also had never had any dealings with the police and still are astonished to how dishonest they behave. The plod investigating my sons case tried to interrogate my sons girlfriend into making a statement against my son. She flatly refused to co operate which he then threatened her with perverting the course of justice. In all fairness she stuck to her guns. He also disclosed information regarding my son to a 3rd party causing widespread rumors that have made me and my family very vulnerable. My son's case has not been investigated impartially, we have been treated like criminals even though not one member of my family have ever been involved with the police. Unfortunately, this seems to be the way all around the country no matter where you are in the UK.

It is a harsh reality that the people you are brought up to believe are there to protect you and investigate impartially do not exist in cases like ours. It has changed my feelings forever.

Stay strong, take good legal advice and gain as much information as you possibly can. Keep posting on the site, it is full of lovely people who will support you throughout your ordeal.

[NotSoHappy]

I didn't realise how easy it was for people to make false accusations and ruin the lives of not only the falsely accused but the family. Where else could someone make a sweeping statement, without any ounce of truth and be 100% believed. Reading the posts on this forum, although not all the same accusations, still have the same sentiment an impact. Innocent people are being persecuted. I will keep posting as it is really helpful to hear from others and not feel quite so isolated x