Stepson charged

[Bauer]

Hi just looking for some advice if anyone has been in a similar situation. Its been about 22 months now since my stepson was interviewed by the police on a rape allegation, he had just recently turned 16. We got a phone call last week from the police saying the cps are going to charge with rape and oral rape. Without going into too much detail, she basically invited him for sex, he went did what they did and he left, following evening the police came saying she had accused him of rape. We are still waiting for the papers coming so cant get hold of any more infirmation at the minute. One thing thats causing issues is the fact that she has a girlfriend and is claiming to be a lesbian, my stepson says she is bi sexual and we some screenshots of her arguing with people online and her stating that she is bi sexual but been told that cannot be used as evidence. Confused as to what can and cant be used as evidence in these cases any advice is much appreciated

[Casehardened]

Hello and welcome to the forum and sorry to hear this news,

I guess your stepson had a solicitor present at his initial interview and there is of course no reason why you cannot use the same firm for his defence if he was happy with them.

OTOH, if the matter goes to trial, we usually recommend using a firm that specialises in defending sexual assault cases and, as your stepson is about to be charged, it would be appropriate to contact someone at this stage.

Forum members have made recommendations based on their own experiences in this link so you may find a firm local to where the allegation was reported (so where any trial will take place)

http://www.daftmoo.org.uk/mooforum/s...ist-solicitors

I wouldn't place too much credence on whether the complainant is or isn't a lesbian, it makes no odds regarding the likelihood of the accusation being true or not, the case will be decided on the facts, if there are any, or the statements of the two parties if there aren't.

It's great that you are supporting your stepson in this, it's undoubtedly a great comfort to him in this ordeal to have family and friends around him on his side.

[Bauer]

Thanks for the reply, just had a duty solicitor in the interview so we are looking for a new one in the newcastle area. We were expecting this to be a NFA as she has changed her story a couple of time, she is claiming that she fought him, kicked and even bit him but he has no marks at all to show a struggle. We have also heard that she has accused someone else but unsure how true this is.

He has only been interviewed once in the past 22 months, his account of what happened has never changed. It feels more like guilty until proven innocent

[Casehardened]

Thanks for the reply, just had a duty solicitor in the interview so we are looking for a new one in the newcastle area. We were expecting this to be a NFA as she has changed her story a couple of time, she is claiming that she fought him, kicked and even bit him but he has no marks at all to show a struggle. We have also heard that she has accused someone else but unsure how true this is.

He has only been interviewed once in the past 22 months, his account of what happened has never changed. It feels more like guilty until proven innocent

Yes, we can all relate to that! Remember though that so far he has only been dealing with those whose job it is to secure convictions, that is the police and CPS.

Once he has made contact with those whose job it is to show his innocence, i.e. his defence legal team, he will feel much more positive.

[Bauer]

Yes, we can all relate to that! Remember though that so far he has only been dealing with those whose job it is to secure convictions, that is the police and CPS.

Once he has made contact with those whose job it is to show his innocence, i.e. his defence legal team, he will feel much more positive.

He has received his charge and initial court date so we have instructed a solicitor so hopefully they will get the information fron the cps so the defence team can put his case together

[Peter1975]

He has received his charge and initial court date so we have instructed a solicitor so hopefully they will get the information fron the cps so the defence team can put his case together

Your son is included in the defence team. He needs to be honest with them and give them as much information to work with as possible.

The truth is always a good defence.

Good luck