Falsely accused of grooming and sexual activity with minor-URGENT HELP PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!

[cog]

My son was falsely accused of the above charges on Fri 22 Dec at York and is now in Hull awaiting sentencing 20 Jan.

What can we do there was weak defence we think because he had given such a terrible initial statement to police.He has never been in trouble ever with police and was very scared after 19 hrs detention.A trial so close to Christmas must have had some sway.
The girl in question is not the "child " she was presented in court and because the initial statement was so bad we feel the barrister just presented a poor case even though my son /daughter in law had done soo much work in the 7 months pretrial.

My son has been a naive idiot and has admitted to that but that does not make him a criminal just as being a "child" does not mean that you tell the truth!!

What can we do to help as it seems there is no appeal , which seems very wrong,!!

There must be so many people in this situation it is terrible-falsely accused but no-one cares what a system!!!

My 2 young grandsons have spent Christmas without their Daddy and asking for him as they love him so much. This girl continues her lies and puts herself over on the internet far far different to how she was portrayed in court.

We just have to do something his trial is 20 Jan and he is innocent-the girl is lying but she has nothing to lose by continuing her story,

Where can we go please as my son IS NOT a paedophile but the law says he is!!! SOMEONE HELP PLEASE!!!!!!

[Rights Fighter]

My son was falsely accused of the above charges on Fri 22 Dec at York and is now in Hull awaiting sentencing 20 Jan.

What can we do there was weak defence we think because he had given such a terrible initial statement to police.He has never been in trouble ever with police and was very scared after 19 hrs detention.A trial so close to Christmas must have had some sway.
The girl in question is not the "child " she was presented in court and because the initial statement was so bad we feel the barrister just presented a poor case even though my son /daughter in law had done soo much work in the 7 months pretrial.

My son has been a naive idiot and has admitted to that but that does not make him a criminal just as being a "child" does not mean that you tell the truth!!

What can we do to help as it seems there is no appeal , which seems very wrong,!!

There must be so many people in this situation it is terrible-falsely accused but no-one cares what a system!!!

My 2 young grandsons have spent Christmas without their Daddy and asking for him as they love him so much. This girl continues her lies and puts herself over on the internet far far different to how she was portrayed in court.

We just have to do something his trial is 20 Jan and he is innocent-the girl is lying but she has nothing to lose by continuing her story,

Where can we go please as my son IS NOT a paedophile but the law says he is!!! SOMEONE HELP PLEASE!!!!!!

You said your son is awaiting sentencing on the 20th Jan then you say he is awaiting trial on the 20th Jan. I am assuming you mean that he has stood trial, been found guilty and is now awaiting sentencing, meanwhile he resides at HMP Hull.

Just because trial counsel says there are no grounds with which to appeal does not mean that that is true.

You say that he has been a naive idiot. What does that mean, exactly?

[Casehardened]

Hello and welcome to the site, though sorry that you've needed to find us.

I've taken the liberty of moving the thread from the Admin section to the Falsely Accused section, as more members who are in the same position as yourself are likely to see it, and so will hopefully respond to offer support.

[lawlessone2009]

It could also be useful if you could briefly outline the allegation in so far as 'is it internet based'? Seems that you mention the internet so I am jumping to a conclusion that the case emerged from something that happened online.

It is easy to get carried away with things online and end up where your son has. It would help if you could clarify.

It would also help if you could state an approximate age for your son. I believe that under a certain age is treated differently when a minor is involved, 22 years old springs to mind but may be incorrect...

[cog]

My son was falsely accused of the above charges on Fri 22 Dec at York and is now in Hull awaiting sentencing 20 Jan.

What can we do there was weak defence we think because he had given such a terrible initial statement to police.He has never been in trouble ever with police and was very scared after 19 hrs detention.A trial so close to Christmas must have had some sway.
The girl in question is not the "child " she was presented in court and because the initial statement was so bad we feel the barrister just presented a poor case even though my son /daughter in law had done soo much work in the 7 months pretrial.

My son has been a naive idiot and has admitted to that but that does not make him a criminal just as being a "child" does not mean that you tell the truth!!

What can we do to help as it seems there is no appeal , which seems very wrong,!!

There must be so many people in this situation it is terrible-falsely accused but no-one cares what a system!!!

My 2 young grandsons have spent Christmas without their Daddy and asking for him as they love him so much. This girl continues her lies and puts herself over on the internet far far different to how she was portrayed in court.

We just have to do something his trial is 20 Jan and he is innocent-the girl is lying but she has nothing to lose by continuing her story,

Where can we go please as my son IS NOT a paedophile but the law says he is!!! SOMEONE HELP PLEASE!!!!!!

Sorry - yes sentencing 20 Jan.

When I say naive idiot I mean that as a sports coach he naively allowed himself to be on his own at times with this "child" and responded to her text messaging without stopping to think of how it all could be misinterpreted.

When you say there can be appeals what do you mean as the Barrister said not- I must say I did find that unbelievable in this day and age.

Can anyone suggest what action his wife or myself can do pre sentence or appeal.

We have never been involved with legal system before so we are so at a loss and desperate.Thanks

[cog]

It could also be useful if you could briefly outline the allegation in so far as 'is it internet based'? Seems that you mention the internet so I am jumping to a conclusion that the case emerged from something that happened online.

It is easy to get carried away with things online and end up where your son has. It would help if you could clarify.

It would also help if you could state an approximate age for your son. I believe that under a certain age is treated differently when a minor is involved, 22 years old springs to mind but may be incorrect...

No internet involvement-texting. He is 30- 29 when accused

[lawlessone2009]

I am assuming that the 'child' really is anything but 'innocent' in this. I kind of know the type (neighbours daughter is going to be a problem for someone soon!) and understand the situation.

Your boy was in a position of trust and had a duty to avoid what has happened or is alleged to have happened. I also know that more often than not this is virtually impossible!

Naivety is something that the more unscrupulous of society take advantage off and your son is now suffering the consequences unfortunately. It sounds as if he has been remanded in custody until sentencing?

Between now and then you and his partner should be in very regular contact with his legal representative formulating mitigating factors to be taken into account when sentencing. It all really depends on the case that was brought against him but there are many avenues and details that should be put before the court by his representative. Have you been contacted about this by them? Has your son been spoken with about it?

As it stands at the moment there is no route to appeal. Once the sentence is passed (basically case closed) that avenue will open and the grounds can be explored (judges summing up etc will then be available). Which type of court was the trial at?

[RFLH]

Have a look for a sticky about him taking a 'nasty bag' with him for the sentencing. It will give him a few ideas of what's useful for him to take inside with him.

[cog]

Yes -anything but innocent but portrayed via video link as such.
It was Crown Court and not had any contact with legal team- Christmas I suppose.

He was taken straight away and we have had no contact whatsoever-so much for Goodwill to all men on Xmas Day!!

We are so desperate and want to start what we can asap- not waste valuable time by not having some insight into things and what we should ask/do etc.

I guess as with most things ,if you dont ask ,no one tells you.

[lawlessone2009]

Generally the 'trial' is the time to get EVERYTHING out. If your boy has had poor representation at trial then the avenues for appealing may be limited but not non-existent. It would be worth getting an alternative representative if you believe there are grounds for appeal.

I am assuming that the 'texts' were between both parties?

[cog]

Yes both parties -hence my use of naivety!

Of all the extensive work he & his wife did prior to trial the Barrister reckoned it would confuse the jury so left it out.
Thing is ,to all our minds, they needed to have the info to prove with timings etc things could not poss take place!
His solicitor believed him and on what she had was not too concerned about the alleged physical stuff- his texts needed to be explained clearly but this certainly,to my mind, was not managed well by Barrister.

We want to do all we can-including hope this girl gains the maturity and good sense to tell the truth-however difficult she finds it to do so!

There must be so many people in similar terrible situations!!

[Rights Fighter]

As it stands at the moment there is no route to appeal. Once the sentence is passed (basically case closed) that avenue will open and the grounds can be explored (judges summing up etc will then be available). Which type of court was the trial at?

As it stands at the moment there is no route to appeal.
How on earth would you know that unless you are legally acquainted with the case?



Once the sentence is passed (basically case closed) that avenue will open and the grounds can be explored
Appeals can be lodged prior to sentence - I am not sure where you are getting your "information" from but it is incorrect.



(judges summing up etc will then be available)
JSU would be available after conviction so will be available now to an appropriate appeals solicitor on application under funding from LSC or privately if the client is not eligible for public funding. Are you getting confused with sentencing remarks? That would have little bearing on an appeal against conviction.



Which type of court was the trial at?
It's a contested sex case so it would have been at Crown court - nowhere else.

[cog]

Thank you so much for your input- v grateful.

The barrister said there could be no appeal- this was just after the verdict when he came to see us in the private room. He said to get sentence lessened he may have to admit guilt!!

What the hell- if you ARE innocent WHY should you have to say you did something when you didnt? Whats the point of law,oaths etc?? I know I am naive as we have never been involved in anything like this before but this doesnt seem right? Apparently he is now in the system and has to do whatever he has to do!!!!!

Please someone explain what we should do or who to listen to as soo much is at stake and we are soo confused. Thank you.

[Rights Fighter]

Cog: If your lad "admits guilt" he will be required to undertake SOTP as a self-confessed sex offender. This will negate any attempt to appeal the conviction later on, so he must not be tempted to "admit guilt" in order to lessen the sentence. In fact pleading guilty or admitting guilt at this very late stage is unlikely to have any effect at all as the trial has now come and gone.

Full Credit (1/3 off) for guilty pleas only applies when the plea is given at the earliest opportunity - ie at police interview and the credit decreases as time goes on.

What counsel may have been trying to say (and clumsily so) is that if he undertakes SOTP (offence related work) while in prison then he might have more chance of parole. However, if he is 100% innocent to undertake SOTP he will have to admit to the non-crime, he will have to explain exactly what he did and why and how he felt while he was doing it.

It would become clear that he is not actually truthfully doing the course so he will then be accused of lying which will increase his "risk" to society, as per probation, so best not to "admit guilt" at all and concentrate on a) doing the time quietly and b) doing what he can to seek assistance in order to appeal the convictions.

If you have not heard form him after about ten days try to ring the prison chaplain and say you are very worried about your son's physical and mental welfare and ask if he would be so kind as to check on him. Chaplain should ring you back within 24 hours or so to reassure you that he is ok.

Keep posting and after five days you should be able to PM me - I will alter my settings to allow that to happen so I can advise you further.

Just so you know I have assisted with so many appeals that I have lost count, where trial counsel claimed that there were no grounds and we have gone on to win.

[cog]

Dont quite understand what the PM means but I am so so grateful for what you have said and will try keep contact with you.
His collapse in court will stay with us forever as will the arrogance of the "innocent party".

We have to fight for the truth-he's been very silly indeed and admits that but he is no way guilty of charges!

Thank you so much.