How do I help my son?

[Rights Fighter]

I think so yes. People need to know who they can trust (and who they cannot)

I thought you are in the Midlands due to the word "mom"

[worried mom]

Hahaha I grew up everywhere,mostly Germany as my parents were in the forces. I did mean to put mum but I was upset when I signed up..dont really know why I put mom lol
Any way the firm is Malloy and Barry in Canton cardiff.

[Rights Fighter]

I don't know those sols. They could be fab of course and if they are - please do let us know! Always on the look-out for good reps! Who is the barrister?

[worried mom]

I only know the solicitors name Alexandra Magill ,before malloys and barry she worked for The Castle Partnership (Incorporating Sears & Co) as a duty solicitor...in basingstoke I think.
They havent yet mentioned a barristor

[Rights Fighter]

If it is getting to trial then a barrister should have been instructed by now. I'll add you as a contact so we can PM (private message)

[worried mom]

All we know so far is that the cps have decided that it will go to court,1st court date is april 10th. Found out on friday and went straight to the solicitors.
My son didnt have a solicitor before then as he thought he had nothing to hide so he didnt need one,plus they plice told him that it would just take longer if he had one.

[Peter1975]

Thank you Peter,lots of information there.
I will definately make a list of questions.

My ex will definately be going to court,without a doubt.
My sons ex will write a statement but does not want to go to court because her current boyfriend doesnt want her to.

The solicitor has said she will see us all a week before the court to go though things,shes waiting for the statements so not sure if its to go through them,or just to prepare him for what will happen at court.

Your sons ex needs to be persuaded to go to court, a written statement that cannot be cross examined carries less weight and the prosecution could even object to it being admissible. Why doesn't her current BF want her to go to court? She will be fine as her evidence is very straight forward. Definitely discuss this with the solicitor who should deal with taking the statements from your witnesses.

The police statements will need to be gone through in order for your son to have an idea of what he is pleading not guilty to! Make sure that your solicitor checks the police transcript against the DVD recording of the interview,(Known as an ABE interview) and ask if you can view it yourselves Your Solicitor should supply you with a copy of the paperwork so you can begin picking apart the lies too.

You should feel much better once you have spoken to your legal advice and have a clearer idea of the process.

They have the magistrates 10th April RF so no barrister yet.

[worried mom]

She definately wont go to court because her bf doesnt like my son,purely because they are still friends.
I will try talking to her though.
Thank you to both of you,your help has helped me out of panic mode...and my list of questions is getting quite long now.
I would not have thought to ask for a copy of the paperwork. And will definetely ask to see the ABE interview.

[Peter1975]

Perhaps she can persuade her BF that he would want someone to stand up for him if he was in trouble, or dump him for being a baby!...

Make sure you look after yourselves and come back often for support and advice.

[worried mom]

Thank you Pete I will x

[Rights Fighter]

All we know so far is that the cps have decided that it will go to court,1st court date is april 10th. Found out on friday and went straight to the solicitors.
My son didnt have a solicitor before then as he thought he had nothing to hide so he didnt need one,plus they plice told him that it would just take longer if he had one.

Oh my goodness me, no!! Always have a solicitor with you when being interviewed by the police. However, too late now.

Keep posting so you get support and advice.

[Franticwithworry]

Hi there. I'm so sorry that you are going through this.

I second everything that you've been told so far and I'm glad your in touch with RightsFighter regarding solicitors. I can't stress how important it is that you have a team experienced in false accusations, not just sexual crime. I think it's truly dreadful that such very young boys can be accused in this way, years after the event, and the U.K. Desperately needs a statute of limitations for sexual offences, but that's another debate.

I really hope that your son's ex can be persuaded to come to court. If she doesn't and everything goes pear-shaped, her evidence won't be able to be used for an appeal. Excuse my being blunt, but her current boyfriend is behaving like an immature and selfish numpty. This could be him in the dock, and he would want his friends to help him. This nonsense he's pulling doesn't bode well for their relationship long term and I hope she thinks long and hard about what she should do.

Please try to stay calm and not panic. The first hearing is a little way off so you have time to get organised with solicitor your son is comfortable with and there is lots of time for his ex to change her mind. Who knows - she might even have a new boyfriend in a few months who is much more sensible.

One thing to add - I would suggest strongly to your son that he take someone with him any time he meets with his solicitor. It sounds as though he is planning for you to go with him and if so that's great, but I'm not assuming. Just like someone should always meet the police with a solicitor, the accused should always meet with their solicitor with someone else and a list of written questions. Two pairs of ears are better than one and it's so easy to either forget a question, forget what was said, or both.

Hang in there, and as Peter1975 says, come back here often for help and support.

[worried mom]

Thank you,yes I will be with him every step of the way.His father(who is the one who always took him to see his family) will also be with us.
A lot of what we know can be proven wrong with his father,I just hope that we get the chance to prove it once we read the statement.
I do find it shocking that her statement is all that is needed from cps.

My son is very mush a loner,not a typical boy. He never went out much as a child,unless skateboarding.
While in college he would go to college and come home,he never goes out.
Even now, he goes to work then goes home,doesnt go out,doesnt drink,doesnt socialise.

So his only support is us,and we will back him 100% all the way.

[worried mom]

I have a question ,if RF is here(or any once else that would know)
As I am making a list of questions for the solicitor,I would like some advice.

My sons solicitor has asked me to find his Statement of special needs report.Which I have found(I throw nothing out!)

It states that his reading and writing at age 11.5 were about 3-4 years behind,that he has word comperhension issues(meaning he needed reader in school to simplify words and make questions short in able for him to understand what was being said)It also states that he was shy and immature.

My question is....is there any help that I can arrange or get to help in court? Will his solicitor do this,or will it be down to us?

[worried mom]

can i also add that his solicitor was not happy that he was interviewed without an appropriate adult,even though my husband went with him