Terrified of consequences!

[dadinfear]

My son has just turned 18 and has been asked to come to the police station for a recorded interview under caution after an allegation was made about him. I asked him about what went on. He says he consensually kissed a girl but later found out she was under 16, my son has and I believe him told me nothing else happened. I have read some alarming things online about accusations, he will have a solicitor and a responsible adult present(he is registered with a psychiatric unit) . I am really really worried that the police will be looking to prosecute him , I need some advice, cant sleep and spend all my time trying to get my head around the complexities of law, should I be so worried, would he be better to say nothing to the police at interview ( I have read that you can do this) ? will they be looking to gather more evidence? If they had enough wouldnt they have charged him ?
I cant believe this is happening ...he has worked so hard to hold down a job and do college and now this!

[sickasaparrot]

Hi Dadinfear,

I Have been through an ordeal recently so I totally understand the trauma of it all.

The best advice I can give (mainly from reading posts on this forum) is to request the services of a specialist solicitor who deals with such cases and have them attend the interview with your son.

Others will undoubtedly be on here later with much more practical and sage advice.

In the meantime try to stay strong and continue with your life as best as possible.

[Casehardened]

Hi DiF,

I completely relate to how you're feeling at the moment and it's easy for me to say try not to worry just yet, but just stepping back a bit from the situation:

For whatever reason this girl (or her parents) have made an allegation to the police. They are obliged to investigate this complaint (in the present climate more so if it relates to sexual offences against a minor) and the easiest way to do this is to talk to both parties concerned. After both interviews have taken place a decision will be made as to what happens next.

No doubt the girl has already been interviewed and has said what has happened. In all fairness your son has also to be interviewed to be able to say what happened (otherwise the investigation would be rather one-sided!) and this is the stage you're at.


Look at the positives, you and he are able to prepare for the interview, many have been arrested on their doorsteps and taken straight to the police station with no chance for a prior consultation with a solicitor; the fact that your son has not been arrested sounds like the police have an open mind regarding the allegation.

sickasaparrot has given very good advice regarding the solicitor, all I would add is that your son ought to have a chat with him prior to attending the interview (even if you have to pay for this), be absolutely honest as to what happened, and take their advice as to the advisability of going 'no comment' or answering all the questions.

Edit to add: if your son has received any texts or Facebook messages from the girl it is well worth saving these off his phone (it is possible that the police may want to examine his phone so it's good to have your own copies)

[RFLH]

Personally I wouldn't go 'no comment' - just get him to answer the questiion asked without expanding it. The temptation to add more to explain your answer is the thing to avoid. The more information you give them - the more they have to twist.

Try not to panic too much - easier said than done I know - but find out what you're up against first.

[Rights Fighter]

If a solicitor advises him to go "no comment" then if he takes that advice, it cannot be used against him should the matter proceed to trial.

He does not have to take that advice but sometimes it is in his best interests if he does especially if there is little or no "disclosure" (the allegation(s) in full have not been put to him). He is entitled to know what the allegations are and the circumstances surrounding them.

If he goes "no comment" without legal advice this WILL be used against him should the matter proceed.

The police are under great pressure to increase sex offence convictions to reach Government targets and they will twist whatever the suspect says to suit their own needs.

As with all of these cases, if somebody has committed the offence it is always best to admit it right from the start in order to obtain full credit on sentencing. However, if the suspect is innocent then they should strenuously maintain that innocence all the way through.

The truth does not change - liars' accounts more often then not, do.

[dadinfear]

terrified of consequences update

Thank you all for all of this its a great help and a great deal of comfort to know people are here to listen. He did the interview and to be honest for all the bravado he might show elsewhere in the world he was plainly shaken by the accusations that came out. They bore no resemblence to what happened on the evening in question and although there were two statements from the police , the accuser and a witness, the statements didnt match up as to what happened, it is beyond belief that the police did not question why these statements dont match? especially concidering the actual description of what happened( I had to listen to all of this ) conflicted in description and times. A solicitor was present and he helped a great deal. If I hadnt found this site I would not have been much help to my son at all ,as it is we have to wait now to see what is going to come of this I did ask the solicitor if we have any comeback over false allegations and the answer was basically no! Amazed!! so anyone can accuse anyone of anything then? still worried by it all because nothing is over yet until the police say it is again thank you all , still worried but life has to go on.

[felix]

A minor comfort - interview under caution is much less 'significant' than arrest. Police are inclined to arrest for any SOA offence if they think it imight go anywhere.