Update of charges

[Innocentguy1983]

Hi guys

It's been a tough weekend... I told my wife parents what's happened.. Got over that hurdle and they have been soo supportive...

Hurdle 2 was going to get the charge sheet..

There were 5 charges against me I was first told..

The first charge rape of a child has been NFA...
2nd is indecent assault on a child under 14 1956 act
3rd gross indent with a child under 14 1960 act
4th is the same as the third 1960 act
5th is incite a girl under 14 to commit an act of gross indecency 1960 act

I don't know how I feel right now... I'm obviously glad the rape has gone...

The charge sheet says it happened when i was 14th birthday to my 17th birthday, Originally it was 11-16.. So they have moved the goal posts... Why I don't know... But 100% know I never saw the fa at 16/17..

I dropped the sheet of to my solicitor and now I have to go to majestrates in a month time to enter my plea. I'm going to stay strong and fight for my life...

If the worst was to happen, what kind of sentencing do people think I'm facing?

Thanks guys

IG

[Casehardened]

Hi IG1983,

A google turned this page up, seems relevant as the 1960 act was mentioned on the charge sheet:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Eliz2/8-9/33

[Innocentguy1983]

Hi IG1983,

A google turned this page up, seems relevant as the 1960 act was mentioned on the charge sheet:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Eliz2/8-9/33

Hi CH

I actually found that, it says the maximum is 10 years... But normally offences found guilty where the offender is under 18 has a shortened sentence. Can't seem to see it there..

Thanks

Ig

[Casehardened]

Hi IG,

Oops, sorry, forgot about the relative age to victim bit....

There doesn't seem to be anything on the web relating to sentencing of youths under the 1960 act but there is this for the 2003 act.

http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/s_to_u/s...a_child_youth/

[Innocentguy1983]

Hi IG,

Oops, sorry, forgot about the relative age to victim bit....

There doesn't seem to be anything on the web relating to sentencing of youths under the 1960 act but there is this for the 2003 act.

http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/s_to_u/s...a_child_youth/

Thanks CH.. i have read that before I think.. Though, I think sentencing various now as I'm now an adult even though I was a minor at the time.... Owww my brain hurts...

I need to take one step at a time.. Deep breath and see what my sol says Thursday...

Cheers for looking much appreciated

[whatsgoingon?]

What's amazing is that at the time these allegations were supposed to have taken place YOU WERE ALSO A CHILD, and yet there's no indication of that in the charges which, let's face it, by most people's standards would be much more serious if the same charges were being made against a grown man .

[Innocentguy1983]

What's amazing is that at the time these allegations were supposed to have taken place YOU WERE ALSO A CHILD, and yet there's no indication of that in the charges which, let's face it, by most people's standards would be much more serious if the same charges were being made against a grown man .

Yeah I know and that worries me deeply if I was found guilty....

[Innocentguy1983]

Advice... feeling low dont know what to do..

Hi Guys

Really feeling low at the moment.. and I don't know what Im thinking half of the time..I have a meeting with my solicitor this Thursday to discuss the case and the next steps. Do I plead guilty or not guilty to the charges, that's what im thinking?

Why would I plead guilty when I think im innocent!!!! Gahh.. I guess im thinking Damage control...

I was stupid and I admitted to the police that my fa and I experimented when I was 11, but the charges to when I was 14-16 (now raised to 17th birthday) I said in the interview where all untrue......

I mean.. I shot my self in the foot in front of a jury straight away...I have no previous convictions, however I have had one previous allegation against me 7 years ago.. which was unfounded.. but can still be used in court as bad character.. I also have a caution for soliciting.. Im not proud of this and my wife knows.. but again... this was for this year, not when I was 14-17... however this also sets me having a bad character...

On the flip side..im not blowing my own trumpet, but I do come across as a good respectable person and I do not associate my self with any "young" individuals at all....I would be able to get character witnesses from Doctors, friends, family and hopefully my work..

I know that the conviction rate of these type of cases is quite high... like 60% or something.. and with the particular offences im being charged with.. I could get a maximum of 10 years in prison and be branded a sex offender for life... despite being a maximum of just turned 17!

*bangs head against wall*

My stupid rational brain is thinking, plead guilty..as the chances of being found not guilty are slim..hope for a shorter sentence.. and only be on the sex offenders register for 10 years maybe?! But then.. my heart says f$££ that.. you haven't done what she is accusing you off.. fight it.. don't let her win..This is what I pay a solicitor for... and all of this will be directed to him Thursday!

Positively I Spoke with my sister this morning.. and she has been trying to stay out of this as she has a little boy, and if a particular person was to hear about this via the media she could instigate a whole world of pain with the other mums at his school and he might be bullied.. which I 100% do not want... though she did say.. your my brother and I would give evidence in court if needed... and that meant the world to me.. she also told me she ran into the FA sister who told her that she told the police she didn't know anything or see anything at the time..

The evidence is most likely going to boil down to her word against mine and my tarnished reputation.. (though not destroyed)

Im sorry for the Rant.. but when Im righting down how I feel it helps me for some reason...

Im so thankful I can talk to you guys...

IG

[myhome]

Im sorry for the Rant.. but when Im righting down how I feel it helps me for some reason...

as we've said to many people - absolutely no need to apologise - it's one of the things the forum is here for and also, by telling everyone how you feel it gets it out of your system - like a kind of safety valve....and other people will undoubtedly relate to how you are feeling which is comforting to know that many are experiencing similar emotions and feelings.....Keep strong - keep posting....

[Innocentguy1983]

as we've said to many people - absolutely no need to apologise - it's one of the things the forum is here for and also, by telling everyone how you feel it gets it out of your system - like a kind of safety valve....and other people will undoubtedly relate to how you are feeling which is comforting to know that many are experiencing similar emotions and feelings.....Keep strong - keep posting....

Thanks my home

Glad to see the forum is up.

Saw my solicitor and he is really good. Explained every question I had and my wife, mum and I began to see a small light of hope. He stressed its down to the fa to prove it happened, I'm innocent till proven guilty. You just assume no jury in the land is going to believe you..

Going to fill in the Legal aid form for crown if it goes that far, but it seems that you can be limited on the barrister you get.

Magistrates is in 3 weeks. Won't know what the evidence against me is until 24 hours before or most likely on the day. This is quote common...

Solicitor advised me at this point not to tell work. I have no obligation at this point.. I'm using holiday to go to court. I'm 50/50 about this, a strong part wants me to tell work.

Positively, I don't have to consider selling our home yet..

Anyway... Let the battle commence..

[whatsgoingon?]

Thanks my home

Glad to see the forum is up.

Saw my solicitor and he is really good. Explained every question I had and my wife, mum and I began to see a small light of hope. He stressed its down to the fa to prove it happened, I'm innocent till proven guilty. You just assume no jury in the land is going to believe you..

Going to fill in the Legal aid form for crown if it goes that far, but it seems that you can be limited on the barrister you get.

Magistrates is in 3 weeks. Won't know what the evidence against me is until 24 hours before or most likely on the day. This is quote common...

Solicitor advised me at this point not to tell work. I have no obligation at this point.. I'm using holiday to go to court. I'm 50/50 about this, a strong part wants me to tell work.

Positively, I don't have to consider selling our home yet..

Anyway... Let the battle commence..

That all sounds positive... I'd go with what your solicitor says about work. You don't need to make things harder for yourself than they already are. You may not find the find the credit you deserve for being up-front, not the sympathy and the backlash could be very damaging.

You're first point is absolutely valid - the judge in our case was very clear in pointing out to the jury that it is up to the prosecution to prove your guilt and not the other way round. It's just that prior to trial everything leads to you feeling that it is assumed you are guilty.
What I find disturbing in your case is that , should it go that far, the jury will see you as grown man and not a 14 year old boy , though I'm sure your barrister and probably the judge will make a point of that . As far as 11 year old 'experimenting' goes... is this still allowed???? If not what on earth is going on in the world?

Anyway... it sounds like things are on the right footing - it's so important to get the right legal team and I hope you get your legal aid.

[Innocentguy1983]

That all sounds positive... I'd go with what your solicitor says about work. You don't need to make things harder for yourself than they already are. You may not find the find the credit you deserve for being up-front, not the sympathy and the backlash could be very damaging.

You're first point is absolutely valid - the judge in our case was very clear in pointing out to the jury that it is up to the prosecution to prove your guilt and not the other way round. It's just that prior to trial everything leads to you feeling that it is assumed you are guilty.
What I find disturbing in your case is that , should it go that far, the jury will see you as grown man and not a 14 year old boy , though I'm sure your barrister and probably the judge will make a point of that . As far as 11 year old 'experimenting' goes... is this still allowed???? If not what on earth is going on in the world?

Anyway... it sounds like things are on the right footing - it's so important to get the right legal team and I hope you get your legal aid.

Hi WGO

Your right about the right legal team.. Knowing someone is going to fight tooth and nail is essential. We should get some legal aid, however you are limited on what Baristers to can use apparently. You might not always get a QC it depends on the case an how serious it is..

Again, I could go private.. I wreckon it's about 3-4k a day for a QC. Holy moly!

I won't know much now until the day of the majestrate.

I take it you won your case?

Thanks

[whatsgoingon?]

Yes, we won. We had Gerry MacDonald and Nerida Hartford-Bell (on legal aid) See how it goes and talk it over with your sol if it goes that far, but I'd be tempted to get a loan just to pay for a really good barrister if you have to.

[can it get worse]

Hi Guys


I know that the conviction rate of these type of cases is quite high... like 60% or something.. and with the particular offences im being charged with.. I could get a maximum of 10 years in prison and be branded a sex offender for life... despite being a maximum of just turned 17!

IG

Hi IG,

So sorry you have been charged..... but it seems a positive with the outcome of your meeting with your sol. There are many people saying it feels 'guilty until proved innocent' and that is how we feel in our case. But when a solicitor puts it the other way round, it does feel encouraging.

Please could I ask you where you found the figures of the conviction rate...... 60%. I am alarmed and frightened about this. My partner has recently been charged & we are very shocked and traumatised by the next stage that we are in. I thought the conviction rate was much lower than this.

[Innocentguy1983]

Hi IG,

So sorry you have been charged..... but it seems a positive with the outcome of your meeting with your sol. There are many people saying it feels 'guilty until proved innocent' and that is how we feel in our case. But when a solicitor puts it the other way round, it does feel encouraging.

Please could I ask you where you found the figures of the conviction rate...... 60%. I am alarmed and frightened about this. My partner has recently been charged & we are very shocked and traumatised by the next stage that we are in. I thought the conviction rate was much lower than this.

Hi cigw

Please don't take what I say for conviction rates as gospel, it's just what I have seen kicking around the net when searching...however the following explains it quite well, for me anyway.... and whilst it indicates that 60% are convicted... A large fraction is including a guily plea.

Total 1387 convicted (of which 415 admitted guilty plea) out of 2428... With 300 cases incomplete
1038 not guilty

So it's some where between 40-50%

Also I didn't realise that a case may get dropped before trial.. Which is around 23%...

http://www.ministryoftruth.me.uk/201...e-convictions/

Stay strong for your husband, my wife is a continuing strength....

I wish you all the hope and strength during your times ahead.