Please help

[Shocked777]

London- Had a call from the police asking me to attend regarding an allegation. A solicitor was provided for me. The allegation is a total lie, we engaged in some sexual activity which was all consensual. A number of days later she has contacted the police and claimed some of the acts weren't consensual and added some bare faced lies.

My solicitor informed me that she has form for doing these things and the police are aware but didn't elaborate. I told him what happened and he was extremely confident that I should explain to the police. So I had an interview with the police and explained in as much detail as I could what had happened. The police man was overly friendly.

Afterwards my lawyer said it was an excellent interview and It was clear I was telling the truth. My concern is that this comes down to my word against hers. My solicitor said he is very confident nothing will come of this but I am obviously distraught. He said if it does go to court then my defence is so strong he can't see me being found wrongly guilty.

My life has been upended. I'm spinning. Worried that something I said in the interview could be twisted at a later date. The solicitor said that its so rare for him to be told information that an accuser has a history of false allegations (and hinting at emotional/mental issues).

Please help me. What happens next? Just the waiting game. I haven't told anyone and I'm not sure I want to yet.

[Shocked777]

It was voluntary attendance. No arrest or charge.

[Casehardened]

Hi and welcome to the forum,

I don't recollect any other member mentioning that the police were aware that their accuser has a history of making false allegations so you could take comfort from that.

It would be useful to know how far the other allegations were taken i.e. did any of them get as far as trial?

You might find this link useful:

http://www.daftmoo.org.uk/mooforum/s...at-happens-now

[Shocked777]

im conscious about saying too much on here which I appreciate is difficult.

I just got off the phone with a specialist lawyer and he put me slightly at ease. I'm just concerned in my emotional state that I didn't get everything out I could have done. I've remembered some key points that completely discredit the allegation since the voluntary interview. Social media evidence the day after the alleged incident is apparently damning to th accuser and I suppose I can take some solace in that as it is the only real price of evidence.

The specialist lawyer said the fact that they haven't arrested me or even asked for my phone is a good sign and that it probably won't go any further. Obviously that doesn't mean it won't, someone can be prosecuted on an accused word alone.

[Rights Fighter]

Please do not be tempted to pay for a solicitor's advice prior to charge, as you may never be charged anyway.

Most of the NFAs in this group happened after no input from a paid solicitor.

Often evidence that could assist you will be ignored by the police, or they will tell the complainant who will then change her story to suit what you have said.

I appreciate that you are really scared at the moment but the police are not your friends. They can misuse evidence in order to help meet Government-set rape conviction targets.

Just sit tight for the time being. Hold on in there.....

[Shocked777]

The solicitor did not want a fee. He was just advising me. I was very appreciative.

Yes I take your point that the police are not on my side. I guess I just want reassurance that this is likely not to go much further, which I'm not going to get.

I have to just wait and see if they decide to arrest me.

Thanks for your input.

[Franticwithworry]

Hang in there. Unfortunately the wheels grind slowly in these matters, but the intense feelings of worry do subside over time. More time than we would like, but they do subside. I'm glad you got to talk to a sympathetic lawyer. Professional words of comfort help a lot but don't make things happen any quicker, unfortunately.

[Shocked777]

I've just written a whole statement with as much detail as I can and will add to it as this goes. Obviously my initial interview was Done in an emotional state and though my lawyer said it was excellent I've already remembered some minor details I hadn't mentioned in the interview. Some details are actually crucial too. I'm now paranoid that they will be able to twist my interview to suit their agenda even though my lawyer said is was excellent. I did say at the time that I can't remember the exact chronology of every single thing that was said.

Sorry if it appears as though I'm rambling, I hope you can understand and any response is hugely appreciated.

[Ladyscot]

Hi there,

Sorry you are going through this but please believe we all know and understand the feelings you are going through.

I remember clinging onto positives but i really feel strongly you should seek solace in the fact you didnt get the dawn raid, cops banging your door at 6am and also the fact its been disclosed by the cops that the false accuser has form.

As for what happens next i think the police will send a report to the cps amd the cps decide whether to charge or not. That can take time. Im not sure if the police can issue an nfa or whether that comes from cps, if it comes from the cops would obviously speed things up.

Also another big positive you didnt get your finger prints, nail scrapings etc taken or clothes or phone.

My husband got the dawn raid, clothes taken, phone taken, locked on a cell, finger prints the lot all on the words from a woman 'with form'. I thinkand hope ull be ok....if your sol said that you have to believe him.

Our sol said this will go no further and he was right....

I must admit at the time we were so scared we didnt believe him and im sure others on here will contest ; their sol said would be ok amd wasnt. But i do believe with what you have said, you will be ok.

I am no expert merely a victim like you but goodluck xx

[Shocked777]

Thank you very much for your kind words.

I feel a little better today but still obviously living a nightmare.

[Franticwithworry]

Writing things down is a great idea and can be cathartic as well. I would add to it too, over time, as different things come to mind or even keep a sort of 'emotional diary' to monitor your feelings iver the coming days and weeks.

The initial shock of this happening can last several weeks, and you're right, it is a living nightmare, but I have found that because it takes so long for things to work through, (my man is close to 10 months on bail with no news from anyone about anything), the nightmare devolves into a very bad dream with the nightmare popping back more occasionally. Life does go on and become more manageable. It has to or insanity would set in.

I know it's awful, but time WILL pass and you WILL get through this. Don't be afraid to come back here often for support and if necessary ask your doctor for some help if things get unbearable. There's no shame in using something prescribed to help with sleep or anxiety for a while. Many of us need to and many, many doctors are sympathetic and supportive. If you you find that the one you go to isn't, find another!!

[Shocked777]

Thanks again for kind words. I feel so alone. Nobody knows, I haven't told a soul. Because I haven't been arrested or charged I think it's best to leave it like that for the time being.

I'm fine for an hour then get this sudden pang of fear that there's a whole team of professionals working to find any tiny hook they can to ruin my life in support of a total fabrication.

[Shocked777]

I have a question if someone would be kind enough to answer it:

Not arrested, charged or bailed. Voluntary interview. Police are still investigating. Will they take it to the cps no matter what or if they decide that there was no crime committed or that there is no evidence, will they stop short of even sending it to the cps?

[Rights Fighter]

Nobody can answer that question as we don't know your case. However, there is a person called a "gatekeeper" - usually a retired ex senior police officer. On occasion s/he can NFA it but usually in serious cases it will go to the CPS for a decision as to whether to Charge or NFA (No further Action).

Please note (and I don't want to worry you) that some people in this group have waited up to and over two years before a response.

Please do not be tempted to pay a solicitor or somebody who claims to be an expert in such cases, large amounts of money. Most of the people in this group who have been NFAd did not have to pay a penny for that to happen.

Some have paid for the solicitor to undertaken a "hand holding exercise" and on occasion they have contacted the police or CPS - but at the end of the day it is entirely probable that they would have been NFAd without their input.

Hold on in there

[Shocked777]

Thanks for your speedy response. My solicitor appears very good to me. Told me to call him any time with any questions or worries and even though I offered payment said its not necessary.

He said he would be shocked if this goes to trial.

Just for further clarification - the point at which someone is charged, is that when electronic devices will be swiped? And if you are charged, does that mean it's definitely going to end up in a trial?

Thanks again.