Hi all
I am just seeking some thoughts and advice on the ordeal I am currently faced with. Sorry if this is long winded, it is all very complicated.
I work in a school and was recently informed by the LEA child protecion officer that a historic allegation had been made against me. I was suspended on full pay. Two weeks later, the police came to my door and informed me that somebody had alleged that I had sexually assaulted her twice by touching her over her clothing and kissing her while she was 14 and I was 18. At the time she alleges this happened, I was a volunteer doing work experience at her school. I had been given no child protection or safeguarding training, no induction or advice of any kind so I admit I came into the situation somewhat naively
I will put the facts bluntly as I don't want to identify myself by going into too much detail.
The young person came to me with a problem which I tried to help her with. She had my mobile number and she came to my address twice. One time my family were in, the other they werent. All that ever happened was that we talked about her problems.
Her mother later confronted me, saying that her daughter said we were in a relationship. We talked it through, the daughter admitted it was untrue and I actually became friends with the mother. I was going through depression and therapy at the time for seperate issues and the mum became a good source of help to me. We had an on/off relaionship which I later broke off when it got too sexual, as I was a virgin at the time. I got a new partner but as soon as she found out, she again accused me of having a relaonship with her daughter. I went to the school and told them why I didnt think I should do voluntary work anymore. I told them my side of the story which they were very understanding of. I heard no more.
2 and a bit years later, the daughter got back in touch and apologised for everything. Me and my fiancee eventually forgae her, figuring she had mature. We took her in for several weeks after she fell out with her mother. Again, she admitted and apologised in front of us that she had made up the claims under pressre from her mother who had a grudge against me. She began telling further stories which we found to be lies which included claims of violence, forced drug use, abuse, neglect and illness and evetually we asked her to leave as it got ridiculous. She went home to her mother and they made up.
A month later and I am suspended from work and then arrested for sexual assault.
I wasn't charged and am now on no-conditions police bail until February. My duty solicitor has kept the case but doesnt seem very active in building any defence. She has said she will get in touch when the date is nearer but I am now worried that I am sitting here twiddling my thumbs whilst all sorts could be going on behind the scenes against me.
I am also worried that giving a no comment interview may go against me. My fiancee is to be interviewed next week however, so she may be able to get across some of the things I was unable to.
I am worried that I will get charged with this and lose my job and then have to go through another awful stage of the process. I dont even want to accept a caution as this will end my career and I haven't done anything wrong.
How likely do people think (I know it's hard with limited information) that this will result in a charge?
I had hoped they might drop it as there isn't much evidence at all but I am getting less and less sure.
I just wanted some advice/support, particularly with the following queries:
-Is it likely to lead to a charge?
-Was my solicitor right to advise me to give a no comment interview
-I recently found out that the girl made a very similar accusation against someone who worked at her best friend's home (the same friend who has given a statement) Is there a way I can use this?
-Am I legally allowed to make contact (either myself or through a solicitor) with this friend to warn her of the consequences of making a false statement?
Anything else people can add or suggest would be much appreciated
I am just seeking some thoughts and advice on the ordeal I am currently faced with. Sorry if this is long winded, it is all very complicated.
I work in a school and was recently informed by the LEA child protecion officer that a historic allegation had been made against me. I was suspended on full pay. Two weeks later, the police came to my door and informed me that somebody had alleged that I had sexually assaulted her twice by touching her over her clothing and kissing her while she was 14 and I was 18. At the time she alleges this happened, I was a volunteer doing work experience at her school. I had been given no child protection or safeguarding training, no induction or advice of any kind so I admit I came into the situation somewhat naively
I will put the facts bluntly as I don't want to identify myself by going into too much detail.
The young person came to me with a problem which I tried to help her with. She had my mobile number and she came to my address twice. One time my family were in, the other they werent. All that ever happened was that we talked about her problems.
Her mother later confronted me, saying that her daughter said we were in a relationship. We talked it through, the daughter admitted it was untrue and I actually became friends with the mother. I was going through depression and therapy at the time for seperate issues and the mum became a good source of help to me. We had an on/off relaionship which I later broke off when it got too sexual, as I was a virgin at the time. I got a new partner but as soon as she found out, she again accused me of having a relaonship with her daughter. I went to the school and told them why I didnt think I should do voluntary work anymore. I told them my side of the story which they were very understanding of. I heard no more.
2 and a bit years later, the daughter got back in touch and apologised for everything. Me and my fiancee eventually forgae her, figuring she had mature. We took her in for several weeks after she fell out with her mother. Again, she admitted and apologised in front of us that she had made up the claims under pressre from her mother who had a grudge against me. She began telling further stories which we found to be lies which included claims of violence, forced drug use, abuse, neglect and illness and evetually we asked her to leave as it got ridiculous. She went home to her mother and they made up.
A month later and I am suspended from work and then arrested for sexual assault.
I wasn't charged and am now on no-conditions police bail until February. My duty solicitor has kept the case but doesnt seem very active in building any defence. She has said she will get in touch when the date is nearer but I am now worried that I am sitting here twiddling my thumbs whilst all sorts could be going on behind the scenes against me.
I am also worried that giving a no comment interview may go against me. My fiancee is to be interviewed next week however, so she may be able to get across some of the things I was unable to.
I am worried that I will get charged with this and lose my job and then have to go through another awful stage of the process. I dont even want to accept a caution as this will end my career and I haven't done anything wrong.
How likely do people think (I know it's hard with limited information) that this will result in a charge?
I had hoped they might drop it as there isn't much evidence at all but I am getting less and less sure.
I just wanted some advice/support, particularly with the following queries:
-Is it likely to lead to a charge?
-Was my solicitor right to advise me to give a no comment interview
-I recently found out that the girl made a very similar accusation against someone who worked at her best friend's home (the same friend who has given a statement) Is there a way I can use this?
-Am I legally allowed to make contact (either myself or through a solicitor) with this friend to warn her of the consequences of making a false statement?
Anything else people can add or suggest would be much appreciated
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