Magistrates next Tuesday :/

[Innocentguy1983]

Thanks for the pick me up

I'm feeling steady at the moment, it's good going to work.. I can throw my self into it.

I emailed the solicitor yesterday so should hopefully have some more information soon!

I love this forum... It's been such a support!!

[mumneedinghelp]

Hi IG

I haven't posted for a while but I have been reading the posts every day and I just wanted to advise you to continue to live as normal a life as possible. My son's trial is just over a month away and he is coping remarkably well doing just that and I think he is more relaxed since I had to take a back seat when we met the barrister and he told me I was going to be a witness and could no longer be involved. It is a long waiting game I'm afraid. Expect CPS to drag their feet with all the disclosures, they never seem to stick to timetables hence my son's first appearance at Crown Court was adjourned. After receiving the disclosures there was a lot of activity between my son, the solicitor and the barrister going through all the disclosures and highlighting inconsistencies, preparing the defense statement and deciding on witnesses but at the moment it is pretty quiet. My son has done all he can do so it is up to the solicitor and barrister to do all the hard word. They asked for a lot more disclosures and I suppose when my son meets the barrister again just before the trial he will find out more.

I can't believe that a jury will find him guilty but then I never thought he would be charged. If he is found guilty then I will have lost all my faith in British justice. I hope things go well for you. Every time someone appears on TV saying that there are not many false accusations it makes me so angry because the people who use this site know that is not true.

[smokiejo]

Keeping every crossed for you the support on this forum if great I could not cope without it!!
We are just at the start of this terrible situation with our 17 year old son his girlfriend of 10 months has accused him x

[Innocentguy1983]

Hi IG

I haven't posted for a while but I have been reading the posts every day and I just wanted to advise you to continue to live as normal a life as possible. My son's trial is just over a month away and he is coping remarkably well doing just that and I think he is more relaxed since I had to take a back seat when we met the barrister and he told me I was going to be a witness and could no longer be involved. It is a long waiting game I'm afraid. Expect CPS to drag their feet with all the disclosures, they never seem to stick to timetables hence my son's first appearance at Crown Court was adjourned. After receiving the disclosures there was a lot of activity between my son, the solicitor and the barrister going through all the disclosures and highlighting inconsistencies, preparing the defense statement and deciding on witnesses but at the moment it is pretty quiet. My son has done all he can do so it is up to the solicitor and barrister to do all the hard word. They asked for a lot more disclosures and I suppose when my son meets the barrister again just before the trial he will find out more.

I can't believe that a jury will find him guilty but then I never thought he would be charged. If he is found guilty then I will have lost all my faith in British justice. I hope things go well for you. Every time someone appears on TV saying that there are not many false accusations it makes me so angry because the people who use this site know that is not true.

Hi mum needing help

Thanks for the advice, I'm trying my absolute to carry on as per normal. Sometimes I'm ok, then you sit and have to wonder down a path for a moment..

I really hope it all goes well for you son and god forbid if the worst happens he is lucky that he will still have you after everything is said and done...

The waiting is definitely the hard part, even if your found not guilty... I will have to speak to a professional as my mind is constantly numb...

If you don't mind me asking, When your son first went to crown court was there any involvement from the press?

Wish him all the best, and let him no he is not alone!!

[mumneedinghelp]

The press weren't at the Crown Court and neither were the FA or her relatives. It was very quiet and very quick according to my son.

I'm not sure when the press take an interest in a case. I don't buy our local paper so I only see what is published on the online version and the only rape cases I have seen reported there are ones that were supposed to have happened when someone was walking home.

My son's FA lives in a different town from us and the trial is in that town so I am hoping that it will only be reported in that local paper.

[can it get worse]

[QUOTE=Innocentguy1983;44473]Hi guys back at home now...

Well, where to start.

I initially met with my solicitor whom only got the evidence pack yesterday evening at around 4.30pm.

Hi IG,

In our case - When my partner went to Mag. Court, we had not received any of the prosecution statements at all.

Really pleased about the block for press coverage.

[Innocentguy1983]

[QUOTE=can it get worse;44513]

Hi guys back at home now...

Well, where to start.

I initially met with my solicitor whom only got the evidence pack yesterday evening at around 4.30pm.

Hi IG,

In our case - When my partner went to Mag. Court, we had not received any of the prosecution statements at all.

Really pleased about the block for press coverage.

Omg.. No pack at maj...thats disgusting!

Was is the fairness in that!!!!!

Grrrr it makes me angry....

Mumneediinghelp, I really hope there is no press for your son...

I'm not really bothered what people think, it's more that I want to work as long as I can..

Xxx

[can it get worse]

[QUOTE=Innocentguy1983;44514]

Omg.. No pack at maj...thats disgusting!

Was is the fairness in that!!!!!

Grrrr it makes me angry....

Mumneediinghelp, I really hope there is no press for your son...

I'm not really bothered what people think, it's more that I want to work as long as I can..

Xxx

Hi,

It's doesn't seem fair at all - all throughout. We have now just received some of the information but not the complainant's. I find this very strange (or tactical). Why isn't the complete file photocopied? Instead they only submit parts of it!!

We feel at a total disadvantage. Sooooo annoying and meanwhile the 'alligator' can continue with her life & possibly even enjoying the attention.

[Innocentguy1983]

Small Update

Hi Guys

Hope everyone is doing ok!

Im ok, apart from I weighed my self.. and I put on like half a stone.. stress eating and not playing badminton any more at my club..

Anyhow.... I bumped into my solicitor at the local John Lewis (As you do!) and we had a little natter he has managed to line up a QC for me... (Providing the legal aid forms all work out!) Mr Ian Lawrie QC.

He has an excellent background and I would be very lucky if I manage to secure this chap on Legal Aid..

*Fingers Crossed*

Anyone watch the great british bake off final last night, im glad ruby didn't win... she was a little to babyish for me.. I really liked francis

Speak to you later

IG

[whatsgoingon?]

Anyhow.... I bumped into my solicitor at the local John Lewis (As you do!) and we had a little natter he has managed to line up a QC for me... (Providing the legal aid forms all work out!) Mr Ian Lawrie QC.

He has an excellent background and I would be very lucky if I manage to secure this chap on Legal Aid..

*Fingers Crossed*

Hi IG - I don't want to burst your bubble and the barrister your sol has lined up for you sounds excellent... but not necessarily in this domain.
This is what I've copied and pasted from his profile : http://www.3pb.co.uk/profile/ian-law...law-regulatory
'*** ***** is recommended by the Legal 500 UK Directory 2013/14 for his expertise in the Western Circuit for his Construction, planning, licensing and environmental expertise at the Bar. ‘*** ***** QC has expertise in marine pollution disputes.’
Now it could be that he also has known experience in historic sexual allegations in which case I'll stand corrected.

Compare this to the barrister we used and who several on here including myself can personally recommend ( I suggest you go to both links and read the whole shpeel)

http://www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk...arfordbell.cfm

'****** is regularly instructed in serious sexual offences including many historical allegations against very young children.'

I strongly feel that the barrister you need MUST have proven experience in the domain of sexual crimes/of a historic nature/concerning children and Nerida's profile is the sort of profile your solicitor should be looking for in the barrister who will defend you in court.

Best of luck

[Innocentguy1983]

Hi IG - I don't want to burst your bubble and the barrister your sol has lined up for you sounds excellent... but not necessarily in this domain.
This is what I've copied and pasted from his profile : http://www.3pb.co.uk/profile/ian-law...law-regulatory
'*** ***** is recommended by the Legal 500 UK Directory 2013/14 for his expertise in the Western Circuit for his Construction, planning, licensing and environmental expertise at the Bar. ‘*** ***** QC has expertise in marine pollution disputes.’
Now it could be that he also has known experience in historic sexual allegations in which case I'll stand corrected.

Compare this to the barrister we used and who several on here including myself can personally recommend ( I suggest you go to both links and read the whole shpeel)

http://www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk...arfordbell.cfm

'****** is regularly instructed in serious sexual offences including many historical allegations against very young children.'

I strongly feel that the barrister you need MUST have proven experience in the domain of sexual crimes/of a historic nature/concerning children and Nerida's profile is the sort of profile your solicitor should be looking for in the barrister who will defend you in court.

Best of luck

Hi Whatsgoingon

Firstly thank you for taking the time in researching him, it is much appreciated and I welcome any feedback you give.

I did exactly the same as you did when researching this guy and thought he seems great but not in my topic area, I did email my solicitor these questions, who instructed me to look at his "crime" experience and just on his recent cases it does seem extensive..

I looked at his other tab on crime: http://www.3pb.co.uk/profile/ian-lawrie/group/crime

Previously Ian was a grade 4 prosecutor on the Western Circuit. He was regularly instructed to prosecute, often without a junior, cases such as murder, multiple arson with intent to endanger life, historical sexual offences and multiple rapes.

He has defended historical sexual abuse cases such as the following.
•Reg v Withers (2011)

My solicitors have worked with this QC before on several occasions and on their advice he is the best I can get. I do trust my solicitor and his associates.

Nadia sounds amazing and maybe after I meet this guy I wont get that feeling and I may change my mind... but I have to trust my team and to date they haven't given me a reason not to.

Thank you again for your feedback

[whatsgoingon?]

Hi Whatsgoingon

Firstly thank you for taking the time in researching him, it is much appreciated and I welcome any feedback you give.

I did exactly the same as you did when researching this guy and thought he seems great but not in my topic area, I did email my solicitor these questions, who instructed me to look at his "crime" experience and just on his recent cases it does seem extensive..

My solicitors have worked with this QC before on several occasions and on their advice he is the best I can get. I do trust my solicitor and his associates.

I'm glad you did your own research (as everyone should) and I feel a bit silly interfering.
It breaks my heart to hear that people have been badly represented (very nearly happened to us) and that it's been at the detriment of a just and proper trial resulting in a wrong verdict.

I'm glad you've been able to find a team who you trust and confidence in - that in itself is very positive.

All the best

[Innocentguy1983]

I'm glad you did your own research (as everyone should) and I feel a bit silly interfering.
It breaks my heart to hear that people have been badly represented (very nearly happened to us) and that it's been at the detriment of a just and proper trial resulting in a wrong verdict.

I'm glad you've been able to find a team who you trust and confidence in - that in itself is very positive.

All the best

Please don't feel silly for interfering, I really appreciate your advice and think its great that you would take some of your personal time to help me..

It means a lot!

[Innocentguy1983]

Update

Hello everybody

I have been quiet these last few weeks, I wont lie its been tough... I find weekends the hardest..

I got my legal aid form back and I have to pay £13k before I get any help, plus this will only cover a junior barrister. I understand that junior "barristers" can often be quite senior, but Im so angry that just because I am a higher tax payer, I wont get any help... im not exactly cash rich, plus I have never taken anything from the government... and when I need help.. I get this.. *grumble* *grumble*

Anyway... my solicitor has advised me to go private.. and I of course understand that is basically waving good bye to my money, but at the end of the day.. if I want the best.. you pay for it. Its my whole life at the end of the day..

I have the fixed fees from my solicitor sorted and paid for.. its just the QC cost now.. I was advised that this should be no more then 10k for my case.. as I have been informed its very "straight forward"... couple of family witnesses and her word against mine.. so possibly 3-5 days trial..

My solicitor has also told me that he is not needed to attend trial, it would just be my QC. Anyone confirm this is normal practice?
..........

So on to my first barrister meeting... my intial impression of Mr Lawrie where excellent, hes intelligent and comes across as a very strong pressence.. he instantly made me feel at ease.

Firstly we went through my background, what I do what my wife does etc..

He discussed cases where he shared a similarity to this... which was good as it put me more at ease...

We went through the 4 charges and I saw that they do not coincide with what I admitted to at all, so the police were blatently trying to stitch me up and get me to admit guilt... god damn them.... the dates range are for when I was 14 - 17 now.. they keep changing.. annoyingly there saying each charge happend multiple times as well... does this not mean I would have more then 4 charges??? its very confusing..

There is no mention of violence or threats towards the individual... he said the behaviour comes across as progressive. We still havent got the full pack of evidence, were waiting on a few statements..

We went through what I admitted to when I was 11 and asked why did I do it, I could see he was trying to gauge me and how I respond... the reason for this as its how this admitance is portrayed to the jury... he feels it would be best divulged by him and not let the prosecutor tear me a new one..

He said the main thing he would like me to think about it is why she is doing this to you now.... its very difficult to think why.. she could just be a troubled girl that has magnified something that happend into much more... she could of created false memories..... she might want attention..

Who knows!?!

Despite all of this... he said this is a winnable case, but it would be a battle...I appreciated his honesty...

Anyhow, I have my preliminary hearing this Monday coming... the hearing doesnt bother me.. its the media at the moment, i just want to hold to my job as long as possible..

Anyway... of to work I go..

Will update you when I know more..

Love to all the people that are going through this...

IG

xx

[Casehardened]

My solicitor has also told me that he is not needed to attend trial, it would just be my QC. Anyone confirm this is normal practice?

Anyhow, I have my preliminary hearing this Monday coming...

Hopefully someone with experience of trials will respond, but my initial thoughts are that the solicitor will be a back-up to your QC, a bit like a second auctioneer who doesn't actually do anything but is just watching for missed bids. Also if you suddenly think of anything during cross-examination you can write it down and get the usher to pass the note to the solicitor who will add his comments and judge the right moment to give it to the QC.

It maybe simply that the solicitor is trying to keep your costs down, but as you mentioned you will only get one shot at this so money pales into insignificance. It may be of course that his presence is not really required at the preliminary meeting?

Very best wishes for Monday