Falsely Accused

[Saffron]

UD, just to let you know, RFLH lost her home, children and grandchildren because of a false allegation. She does speak from experience.

glad we all seem to have calmed down a bit now.

Lemming, good luck with the unfair dismissal claim - if you need any guidance or support let me know. I handled my own case a while back. at least it gives you something else to focus on while you are "mushroomed".

[BroA8]

I,m sorry UD but whilst I appreciate you,ve felt the rough end of the stick, I was merely stating you shouldn't tar everyone with the same brush! Of cause Saffron, its not ok to have a child abuser working with children no more than it is to have bad Police Officers, you miss the point completely! It shouldn't be tolerated and in my neck of the woods, at the front line anyway it isn,t. If anything the Police here spend most of their time watching their backs from Profesional Standards and Senior Management trying to out do each other, now there is a Debate in its self but not here. Just because some are bad doesn't mean they all are and if you think otherwise you'll change nothing.
I work with Prolific and other Priority Offenders, from Shop Lifters to Sex Offenders, Petty Thieves to Career Criminals, from the Rags to the Riches they're all there, trust me I know what i'm talking about...
Good Luck to you all in your quests for Truth and Harmony, even you UD

[lemming]

sorry BroA8, we're just hijacking your thread!

thanks Saffron,

the problem with my unfair dismissal claim is, among many other things eg procedural errors, it hinges on the severity of the sanctions against me (that is, i was sacked for something other people have not been sacked for before or since) and the significant mitigating circumstances were not given consideration because they REALLY wanted to sack me because i'd been accused of rape! uniquely in employment law, the company can argue that although they sacked me for something else, thay could have sacked me for "some other substantial reason". if i still have the rape investigation/if i'm charged with rape then their argument will hold weight - especially considering they have different standards of "belief" compared to the courts. basically i'm ready to go with my claim, and have time left to get it in, but really need to fight one battle at a time. and if i'm charged with rape then i suspect i'll have bigger fish to fry!

it really does feel like i'm in limbo because of that silly girl, and have no control over any important aspect of my life! and there's every chance it will get worse!

so UD's anger gives me something to feed off; BroA8's insider experience of the police gives me a glimmer of hope (particularly since from what i've seen of the O.I.C. she's very professional and humane - but slow...); RF gives me a healthy dose of cynicism and practicality; saffron and RFLH give me support and a warning that things can go t*ts up so stay on my toes and keep working at it!

everyone has something to offer - you can call it repetitive or agenda-driven or anything else. but as i said, the other side (castrate 'em and lock 'em away, no smoke without fire) are equally open to those comments, but they have might and right on their side too - what sicko/pervert would argue with them?! it's lonely enough in cyberspace for those accused...

and on the plus side, over the past few weeks i've already changed as a person (i was a full-on business-is-business manager before). i appreciate people's qualities more and realise how important people are, i'm less prone to jump to conclusions, the little things in life become more pleasurable, and i've lost weight because of all the stress and worry! it's a win-win!

just wish it would end. never a deus ex machina when you need one... good luck BroA8, it's nice to hear you're so confident and organised!

[Saffron]

Hey Lemming

my goodness, well done for drawing some good out of this situation. It's true that, even if the charges are dropped, your life will have changed irrevocably. How it changes is down to you. you can either learn from the experience and become a stronger, better person because of it (regardless of the outcome) or it can destroy you.

my husband pushed the self-destruct button when he was accused, and planned to kill himself. he self-harmed, would get horribly drunk and say the vilest things, and did just about everything he could to drive the people who loved him away. it was hellish, quite frankly! But the upshot was that i didn't have the luxury of wallowing in self-pity, and had to carry on going to work, looking after our boy, paying the mortgage, etc. Basically i had to hold it together because he had lost it so badly. As a result I discovered reserves of courage and strength I didn't know i had. (oh, and i lost loads of weight like you! it was great....)

Happily, both R and I are still here, and with some decent counselling he has managed to pull back from the edge. R talks openly about his time in prison, and sometimes we can even raise a laugh about certain events! our relationship is stronger and better because of what happened. Some people might say we are lucky that we have managed to keep it together - personally i think luck had nowt to do with it, and it was all down to hard work.

but my point is this: you can choose how this changes your life. It is one of the few things you do actually have control over.

and incidentally, if your employers did not follow the correct procedures for sacking you, you are still able to claim unfair dismissal on the grounds of procedural irregularity, regardless of the accusation against you. If they didn't sack you for the false accusation, it makes it even more powerful, and would show a tribunal that they panicked and just wanted you out.

I did all the paperwork and stuff for my husband's tribunal after he was sacked, so although it was a few years ago i can help!

[lemming]

i don't have the luxury of losing the plot.

i live on my own and have moved around the country due to work. i used to love my independance and ability to just be dropped into another location and start again - i never ever felt lonely. although i'm glad my parents have been spared all the worry so far because of the distance, i wish i didn't have to go through the first few weeks on my own. but i did and it's done now.

while i keep my "chin up" in front of everyone, when i do share my frustration and worry with an ex-colleague who's supported me, he makes comments like "i've said it a hundred times, nothing's gonna happen" and "it's a nothing case - stop worrying!". comforting yes, but looking at real examples of cases that have gone to court a lot seem similar to mine.

there are some days i think there's no way i'll be charged, other days when i think they'll have no choice but to charge me. but i still get out of bed, wash, shave and get dressed. if i don't leave the house then that's fine but at least i'm not "wallowing" (no -one admires self-pity). i now have less choice since i have to go out to work though!

would it be the same if i had a supportive wife? or someone to pick up the pieces when i fall apart? maybe i'm dealing with it practically due to the way i've lived my life so far? couldn't tell ya...

no need to panic: i still have seven weeks before the time limit runs out on making an unfair dismissal claim. think i'll wait until the end of my current bail to make a decision on that. who knows? maybe i'll be told "no further action" and i'll skip along to the employment solicitor?!? and that, UD, will put me back on familiar ground and i will blast those b*****ds out of the water! THAT'S WHEN YOU'LL SEE ME ANGRY!!! with rape allegations i'm out of my depth and i know it, everything i learn about is murky, given the grey area of consent in the eyes of the law. but i have a solicitor organised who's experienced in rape allegations and we're developing a bit of a rapport. so by the end i'll be more knowledgable on the subject than anyone else (don't know how i'd drop it into polite conversation though).

so it's taking a while but know this: i will not be convicted of rape or any lesser sexual offence. i don't need my innocence proved in the public arena by people i don't know, a technicality will do just as well. i will not pay for anyone else's mistake (eg my solicitor) and so have taken charge of what little can be done so far, nor will i let someone use me for career or political purposes. nor will i ever allow my life to be affected by silly attention-/sympathy- seeking girls. but whatever happens i'll deal with it.

it's been a harsh lesson already, it could be a harsher, longer lesson than i'd hope. but trust, it's a lesson learnt. it's been easier because this site exists, don't underestimate what you're doing here.

and while i've never thought about it before this week judging by all the comments from people i've met: either the stigma of a rape allegation is not as bad as i thought, or i come across to strangers as a believable, lovely person without even trying! it certainly makes it easier to walk around town each day, and could well stand me in good stead if (but hopefully not) i have to stand in front of a jury and tell them my version... could be a lot worse!

"never argue with idiots - they bring you down to their level and beat you with experience" - shame i don't get to handpick the police or CPS guys in my case, ain't it?

[BroA8]

Don't be sorry!

Lemming and Saffron, good points well raised. Let me try and straighten out a few areas! Policing today? Dealing with Serious Arrestable Offences? This work falls to specialist Units normally conducted by Detectives. In the past Officers would go through the procedure of seeing the victim, obtaining a statement, collecting the evidence and while this was going on, arrest the suspect and interview them. If the evidence was enough to charge then this would be discussed with the Custody Seargent and a decision made, if there was any doubt the suspect might be bailed whilst further inquiries were made, the file would be supervised by Case Builders and Decision Makers, often civilian staff (all be it mostly retired Police) who would instruct the Officer in the Case having liaised with CPS. Cases were being lost at Court or not even getting that far. So then the decision making process was taken away from the Officer in the Case, and the file after interview was dealt with directly by Case Building and Decision Makers.(unless the suspect addmitted guilt in interview)Still cases were being lost at Court, genuine cases! and so the powers that be decided that CPS would deal with all areas of the case. Nothing happens without it going through them first. UD was right in as much as in some areas, Police Officers are evidence gatherers. The case is built around the statement of the victim. Why don't they always speak to witnesses named by the defendant? simply because there is no need to! When the case is compiled there is a form where the Officer has to note "Strengths and Weaknesses of the Case" or " Areas that might undermind the Case" If a suspect mentions he or she has witnesses who can state this that or the other then its recorded during the interview process and detailed on the form. In a genuine case there is normally enough good evidence to proceed, forensics DNA etc. Where its one persons word against the other the cases often don't get to court. BUT its not often that those that falsely accuse get prosecuted either for the same reason. I know there are miscarriages of Justice and I know innocent people get put away but it should be much harder for that to happen today. Any Questions?

[utterlydestroyed]

Brilliant Bro!

Thanks for the excellent input, your knowledge from *twilght zone music* the dark side (opps, should the music have been star wars?) could be so, so valueable to those using this site! It helps explain the 'mushroom' elements we otherwise may not know or understand about procedures.

Lemming

It is clear from your postings that this site has/is proving valueable to you, even if some of the heated debate has been 'harsh realities' stuff. (Good luck with the unfair dismissal)

Saff

I'm sending you an early valentine your postings are fab!

RF & RFLH (one each)

Have a hug from me, both! Seriously, your knowledge on the technical stuff IS BRILL! Please be aware that 'emotionally' some of us (me at least) are still steamed up with passion and my involvement experience is of a campaigner, which means my being tenaciously dogmatic sometimes.

I personally have some significant victories under my belt over the years, my style is not to everyones taste I aknowledge, (to the point I have had death threats & hate mail from gay people who would rather I did not rock the boat!) but, I have achieved significant results by my methods. So RFLH, don't disappear, dispute with me, but recognise please you & me, we are both here about injustice & those falsely accused. look I got you flowers

Everyone else
Those falsely accused (or affected by false allegation of others)who seek help, knowledge, info and may simply be following threads. What we learn is our diversity of contribution, knowledge & experiences! We have an active resource pool of diverse contributors all of whom bring qualities (even mine )

oh!...and webmoo
For running this site.

This has been/is a stimulating thread

Hugz x

UD

[BroA8]

How wrong could I have been?

Hi Folks remember me? Well, where should i start? Came back off a fantastic holiday in Africa back in March, responded to my bail, expecting all charges to have been dropped after 6 months of waiting! was charged and wait for it, Remanded in custody to await trial on 4 counts of rape, a sexual assault, harrassment (threats of violence) and 3 other disciplinary offences thrown in for good measure. 3 plus months on remand during which time i pleaded not guilty, obviously, the Crown QC looks at the case and decides all sexual and violent offences should be dropped if i,ll plead to the Harrassment and the 3 Disciplinary offences, i say no to all except the disciplinary offences and then its pointed out to me that the Harrassment offence includes 3 items relating to complailnts i made about my accuser being turned against me, so, no choice, bite the bullet or run the gauntlet. I bit the bullet and am up for sentence in a month, oh! and in the mean time i can't sleep at my home address where i live with my partner of 2 years and my son but have to go elsewhere every night. Faith in the system? I don't think so!!!

[RFLH]

I'm very sorry indeed to hear that BroA8, but really it comes as no surprise that you've been landed with these charges. They must be a few points off their target figures.

Have you got yourself organised? Do you need any help in doing so or advice?

[Rights Fighter]

I suggest you join the forum at www.pafaa.org.uk

We specialise in supporting those who are about to go to prison as well as those who are appealing or trying to appeal conviction.

I am surprised that the Crown was willing to accept not guilty pleas on the sexual charges in return for guilty pleas on others. Had these all been similar fact charges then I would expect it but these are rather diverse. This is supposed to be illegal. What is your defence team doing about it?

[BroA8]

The Facts of the saga!

CPS had my file for over six months and could not make a decision on it so they passed it to a Barrister who said " well you might as well give it a run" or so i'm lead to believe! So i was Charged with all the offences. I was remanded because i had a period of time off sick with stress and anxiety and the CPS, via my employer, believed i might be a danger to my self, the Judge, bless him, was not at all complimentary to the Prosecuter for this but the seed had been planted, plus of course while this was happening a Police Inspector had just shot himself after murdering his wife and mother in law!! I do, or did, alot of shooting in my spare time. When it came to my Plea date, CPS were represented by a QC no less, he described the allegations as "Luke Warm" and so all charges of Rape, Sexual Assault and Violence were dropped on the condition that I pleaded Guilty to Harrassment. I had no choice as three items in the Harrassment charge i could not deny, all be them in my opinion Lawful. A case of damned if you do and damned if you don't. So i was promptly set free. The offence of which i have pleaded, had it of been the only offence for which i was arrested, would not of seen me remanded in custody OR receive a custodial sentence.....

[RFLH]

I'm sure a good sol will be able to battle this for you and get your name cleared.

[Rights Fighter]

It's not that easy unfortunately. CA (Court of Appeal) are not interested in guilt or innocence only points of law.

[RFLH]

you could try asking on http://www.swarb.co.uk/phpbb/viewfor...a637c3f5450fd2

there's quite a few legal folk on there who give advice.

[Rights Fighter]

Yep - I'm one of them (not that I'm a legal person) of course......