her words against mine

[falsely_accused]

Dear all; please help!

I have been accaused of raping my sis-in-law some ten years ago. She had had some on-going issues with my brother. Recently, after a good consideration, my brother had enough with her and decided to move despite having threekidswith her. He is now with another woman.

My sis-in-law has put a false rape accusation against him (non consentual sex) while they were together (during the period they had their last kid). Recently, my brother had been interviewed by Police and currently is on bail pending further enquiries.

My sis-in-law accued me as well other two men for raping or sexual harrassing her some ten years ago. I will be interviewed by Police in near future. I have never acted or entered into any such activities with her at all and my brother acknowledges it. My sis-in-Law has tried to stitch my brother and me to gain revenge or satisfying her personal grudge OR to damage us socially.

I am really not sure what exactly accusations she has put against me which I hope will be unrevealed during the interview with the Police. However, my conscious is clear that these are false accusations and nothing more than that.

My concerns are that on these kind of accusations, Police will have to arrest me before the interview (although it is a planned and agreed interview); will it reflect on my file? The other thing I want to know is if the duty solicitor will be fully made aware of the proceedings and what would be his role during this investigation by the Police and what level of legal help I will be expecting from him. Also, if the duty sol's services are free of charge or if I will have to incure his costs.

Now it is a major concern to me that why my sis-in-law did not make a complaint to the Police at the time some ten years ago, why she did not tell my family, why she let it go unreported, why she suddenly remembered this and made up a false accusation to suit her esteem. However, I am made aware that at the time (some ten years ago), my sis-in-law had been advising someone she trusted about her version of information.

What is the legal position in terms of this case going forward and or what options Police has at this stage. As far I understand, the accusations referring to some ten years ago, Police must seek a solid evidence before charging anyone for rape offences.

I also envisage that at this stage it is like, '' her words against ours''.

Please help if you can.

[Casehardened]

Hi & welcome to the forum.

I believe that one of the reasons for arrest is so that DNA samples & fingerprints can be taken. As your alleged offence is historic forensics are irrelevant; some members have reported they have just been invited for a 'voluntary' interview without arrest, hopefully this may apply in your case. But yes, to answer your question, an arrest is recorded on the PNC.

With regard to your interview, as you have prior knowledge, I would urge you to line up a solicitor specializing in false rape accusations rather than just relying on the duty. Legal aid will cover the cost for a solicitor to represent you at the interview.

Other members may be able to recommend someone from their own experiences or that of others if you post up the county in which you live.

Remember that with any rape accusation, no matter how far-fetched, the police are obliged to investigate it, which obviously involves getting your side of the story as well as the 'victims', hence your interview.

[tarzan]

Hi falsely_accused, and welcome,

I'm new here too but have been through the mill myself with a fasle accusation. To say that it is worrying is a gross understatement.

Casehardened has answered the majority of your questions and I cannot stress the importance of lining up a specialist solicitor enough - although, at the time, I thought my duty solicitor done a good job, after reading posts on here you begin to realise that a specialist is definintely what you need. To get in touch with one do a google search for FASO (False Allegations Support Organisation) and give them a call and they may be able to point you in the direction of one of these specialsists depending on where you live (they put me in touch with a great specialist from my area).

In the mean time, keep coming back for support, advise and help. There are many great people on here who can help if you need it and no doubt others will comment soon.

Take good care.

T.

[falsely_accused]

Thanks.

Just to add thatI only found out from my brother re the accusations not from the Police. Police did not tell me anything; theyonly told me that they need to speak with you re something!
They have arranged a suitable date and time with me for this meeting and advised me that they will be picking me up from my place (bit usual; Police normally asks you to attend any given Police Station on any agreed day and time).
However, they did mention that I might need a solicitor.....

[RFLH]

if they've mentioned a solicitor - please make sure you get one that specialses in these charges - don't rely on a duty one.

[falsely_accused]

Thank you RFLH. My worry is if they arrest me (for any reason before the interview depending on the level of accuastion) then it will go on PNC against my name.......I know if I tell my wife; she will be extremely stressed which I am avoiding pending this interview outcome and the nature of accusation (s).

If Police has asked me that they will be picking me up from outside my house then what they exactly mean by this? if they have some kind of evidence then they should have come to my house/ work place for an arrest without any notice.

Well at this stage I am not too sure as what they have for me; however, it would be nice to have a duty solicitor available. I was thinking that after the meeting/ interview when I will know the exact nature of accusations, then I should look for a specialised solicitor.

[Casehardened]

Well at this stage I am not too sure as what they have for me; however, it would be nice to have a duty solicitor available. I was thinking that after the meeting/ interview when I will know the exact nature of accusations, then I should look for a specialised solicitor.

Depending how seriously the police are taking the accusation, the danger is not so much what they will ask you but how you answer their questions (anything you may say.. etc)

Once you have given an answer it's down on tape and can't be unsaid. An experienced solicitor should get prior disclosure from the police, discuss this with you before the interview and advise you what to say. (and what not to say)

Obviously all solicitors will do this but one experienced in false sexual accusations will be more aware of potential pitfalls arising from the police's line of questioning.

[RFLH]

just answer the questions - don't expand or offer anything else - its tempting to ramble on to back up what you've said. But, anything you say will be taken down and twisted to use against you.

[falsely_accused]

Thanks again. Yes you are right; I should only restrict to the question and not to answer too less or too much. I agree that someone times these questions are extremely promting......lets see what comes next.

[falsely_accused]

Hi all

Yesterday I was interviewed. The duty solicitor happened to be specialised in criminal law and had some kind of experience on rape cases. The sol gave me sound advice as how to say to police about my version in response to their questions. The duty sol gone into the nitty gritty things of the accusations and discussed my understanding with the accusations in details.

The interview lasted about 20 minutes or so. Police did probe and prompt me to get the required/ suiatble answers but unfortunately that was not the case as the accusations were far from the reality/ truth.

There were some expected questions but lot of them were unexpected but I had given them the honest answers as it was my opportunity to express.

I am now on bail for eight weeks. Police told me that they have a couple of other suspects yet to interviewed before they would complete their investigations. Now either they will charge me, or re-bail and or will take no further action depending on the evidence. Well, I can only wait and hang in to see the next phase.

After the interview they did advise me that not to contact my sis-in-law at all to which I have no intensions owing to the sensitivity of the accusation and my position.

Please advise.............

[falsely_accused]

Is there anything else I got to know or careful of other than what I have written. Please...

[falsely_accused]

Hi all again,

I have been told by the investigating officer that it is NFA; it finished here. It was extremely a stressed run down. I am so so so pleased with the outcome and have faith in the justice system.

However, I strongly feel that people who absue the system must be punished and should suffer equally rather more.

Thanks to all for the support and particularly to mrg who happened to be the latest on this thread with very very useful advice.

If there are no further and hidden accusations then I am the happiest person on the earth but equally sad that why people feel happy in destroying someone's life as they are bitter now and to gain personal satisfaction.

Thanks again to all.

[LS]

in short, money and the chance to settle a score.
But money is a huge incentive.

[RFLH]

I'm pleased to read that you have been NFA'd.

[billykickass]

Congratulations ( not really appropriate i know) I am genuinly made up for you. The system has worked in this case. See if some of your luck can rub off on me for next week.