Awaiting trial

[cryingangry]

Hi, can't believe I've even joined this forum. Just want to wake up and it all have been a nightmare!!
My husband has been charged with historical rape, 12 years ago from a girl who would have been 15 at the time.
To say our world has been turned upside down is an understatement. Only told closest trusted friends but not family due to their age and circumstance. We've been together 9 years and have a beautiful son and can't believe that somebody would/could cause such devastation. We received the statements last week and my hubby is going through them with a fine tooth comb, timing, dates etc her parents statements, accounts of the alleged attack, not much adds up and been told by our solicitor that we have nothing to worry about. But at the end of the day it's our future in the hands of the jury.
Ultimately I haven't been able to bring myself to read the statements, if i don't read them it's not really happening. I feel like my body has switched off from thinking about it andl i am not supporting him but he says he understands why i don't want to read it. Trying to stay positive is very hard. Hate seeing my husband emotionaly waste away in front of me. Been the worse 9 months of our lives but trial date is set so should be over in 3 months.

[lawlessone2009]

Hi and welcome.

A very harrowing time for you two and only made worse with all the media stuff going on just now.

I'm surprised that your solicitor has been quite so frank about what could happen. I would read that as a good sign.

I am assuming that you have tried to read the statements?

[cryingangry]

Hi. Even though our solicitor said that, doesn't stop the worry. Trying to stay positive but no, I haven't brought myself to read the statement yet. I think i'll find it harder to stay positive if i do and after spending most of the day yesterday going over it and making notes, it's really took it's toll on my hubby. He's normally such a strong confident man and he's a shadow of his former self. Had a good talk last night and he broke down. He very rarely leaves the house and when he does it's with our dogs to escape to thexwoods. Just feel fery frustrated with it all x

[slave1fett]

At the end of the day your putting your future into 12 people you have never met.

I too am going through my own nightmare and to be blunt i am crapping myself.

Even though i did not do what is alleged i am putting my life in the jury's hands.

The only thing i have got for me is that every time i tell the story to anyone i get the same reaction, No one believes it and think it is a little far fetched.

The only advice i can give is try to be strong but to be honest it is not always possible. One minute i am fine, the next i am a complete wreck.

I hope things turn out for you and i hope the complainant gets what they deserve.

It wasn't until i found this website that i realised how many people were being accused of historic rapes and abuse. It appears to be very common and alot of people are going through it. The only thing that i can't handle is if i am found guilty.


Here is my story if your interested?

http://www.daftmoo.org.uk/mooforum/s...hild-sex-abuse

[Faith]

Welcome to the forum and sorry that you have had to find us.

I can totally understand why you do not want to read the statements, it is one of the hardest things to do to read such evil bile about the person you love. Your partner is doing the right thing by sifting through them and coming up with any inconsistencies. It is all about undermining the reliability of the false accuser.
Is your solicitor specialised in dealing with sexual crime cases and have you had full disclosure of everything from the police and CPS including the unused evidence bundle?

It is easy of course for your solicitor to tell you not to worry but you invariably will, it's a very traumatic time. A vast majority of the stories here end very well, with justice being served.

Are you due to give evidence in court?

[cryingangry]

Thank you for your kind comments. Have started to feel much better today, yesterday wasn't a good day, watching my hubby sift through papers that by the end of the evening made him physically ill.
After a girlie catch up with friends this morning and a quiet but nice afternoon together I have finally brought myself to read all the paperwork. There are lots of contradictions and to be honest feel better, albeit upsetting to read.
I haven't been asked to give evidence as yet but am happy to do so. Not sure what you mean regarding evidence, as there isn't any other than the written statements, which we have. We have a conference with our solicitor and barrister in June. Our solicitor is known as the best in this field so i do feel we are in good hands. But as someone said it's the fact that it's 12 people you don't know who don't know you, deciding your future that is very frightening. Any advice is greatly recieved x

[is there justice?]

Hi, it's always sad to see a new face here but welcome anyway

It is surprising, and in some small way comforting, to see that these false allegations are not isolated incidents. The number of them seem to be increasing due to awareness of compensation let alone attention seeking behaviour.

It is like a living hell and we all have bad days and sometimes better days. Although justice may be served in court with a NG verdict, the falsely accused is still left with a huge bill and a very bitter after taste. I know whatever the outcome of hub's situation, life will never be the same for any of us, not just him.

You need to support your husband but you need support too and of course, you both have baby to look after and enjoy.

Come on here and let off steam as often as you need to. Meanwhile your husband sounds organised and determined. Stay strong.

[Faith]

It may be that the written statements were the only evidence provided. However, there is often what is called the 'unused bundle'...evidence which the prosecution do not intend to use but which may well contain evidence useful to the defence. In theory, the prosecution should make you aware of this, but they do not always do so automatically.
So I'd advise you at the conference to double check with your solicitor that they have checked there is no unused bundle to request.

[cryingangry]

Thank you for that Faith, we're onto it now.
It's all a bit surreal but feeling more reassured now, thanks x

[Faith]

You have done the right thing by reading the statements. You know what you're up against and now you won't hear something in court that you're not prepared for.
Additionally, with you having been able to see the inconsistencies, it is a reassurance that these lies can be pulled apart, and will.
Stay Strong.