accused and very lost dont know what or where to turn

[upsetandshocked]

Hi,

ive read a few posts here and also some on the paffaa site linked in earlier post, but it appears to be more about child abuse than my issue.

The police have told me not to talk to anyone about the case or details and im really struggling,

Ive been accused of drugging rapping and beating a girl I slept with, Im not sure if i can go into details as police advised that i cant or shouldnt to see if it goes to court or not

Yesterday afternoon 2 officers arrived at my door and took me down to the station for a statment, they said i didnt need a solicitor as in Scotland the solicitor wouldnt be sitting beside me advising me and all they wanted was to take a statment to sort this out,

I declined the solicitor and advising anyone id been taken down to police station

I then told my side of the events and details , openly fully and honestly which wasnt easy, then they brought out pictures and stated that the girl accused me of drugging her drink, cant remeber anything of the night or the next day , and she had really bad brusies which they had photos of, they got quite bullish saying i had raped her and knocked her around, after this the held me in a cell for a while to check out parts of my story about conversations and things said, they then didnt arrest me and released me pending furhter investigation, they asked for my mobile phone for evidence which i gave freely as they assured me it would be returned today , they main police officer has been appearing to be open and friendly but now im worried as what he said hasnt occured

i called the office today and he said he now needs my phone for several days for further examination, that hes spoken to the procurator fiscal and that they are going to arrest me, they are awaiting some further test results to come back then they will take me to a station, finger print me and then let me go, he said ive not to worry or get upset that its likely a "pen will be put through it" for lack of evedence or the charges changed.

Ive been in knots about this, the sex was phisical , i was coerced into doing things i wouldnt normally and now she says i drugged her , raped her and beat her, im devistated and guestioning myself a feel horrible, i really need to talk this through with someone , all the details as i did with the police, find out my rights, understand the law and the charges made against me, actually find out what is being said about what happened, and , well understand the procedures the hardest part is figuring out why she has said this, it seems impossable to understand and i feel horrible and nasty.

[Saffron]

I am not familiar with the pollice/legal procedures in Scotland, but I am pretty sure that telling you that you didn't need a solicitor is against procedure. they should have asked you to sign a document to say that you had waived your right to a solicitor, and that they had explained your legal right to representation to you. If you are not wealthy you may well be entitled to Public Funding, which is the same as Legal Aid.

You need to find yourself a solicitor, and quickly. you should choose a sol that specialises in sexual crimes, not a general criminal solicitor. If this girl has bruises on her, and you are sure you didn't inflict them, maybe someone else could have done it? If she is claiming her drink was spiked, there is a possibility that someone else spiked her drink after you had sex with her, and that this other person was the one who raped and beat her.

It is nonsense for the police to tell you that you shouldn't discuss this with anyone. Certainly you should not contact the complainant or any witnesses, but there is no reason why you can't tell a close friend or relative - someone who is unconnected with the case, and who knows you and can support you. In fact I would say it is essential you do talk to someone about it for your own sanity! You can go to your GP and explain what has happened - my husband and I found our GP to be very sympathetic - and of course, your doctor will be bound by the Hippocratic Oath not to reveal anything you tell him/her. They will also be able to refer you to a counsellor or prescribe medication, which may help.

PAFAA deals with all sorts of false sexual allegations, not just child abuse ones, so it is definitely worth checking the site out. The stories on the homepage are regarding false allegations of child abuse, because that is what happened to the people who founded the site, but there are lots of people on the forum who are in similar situations to you.

Stay strong, talk to someone you trust, and get yourself a solicitor now. Good luck.

Saffron

[upsetandshocked]

thaks

Hey Saffron,

thanks for your post, I conntacted a solicitor this morning, because ive not been arrested theres little he can do, however it was great to talk through the procedures and whats happening with someone i actually felt was trusted and giving me the open and honest truth, theres been several things in girls statment that shes said and text confirming that she did have a memory the next day of the night, as well as witness in the house who said didnt see any bruises on the girl or hear any screaming, loud noises or banging on the night in question so really glad of this, still feels horrible but talking hellped, the police officer in charge sayd he'd taken advice from the procurator fiscal and they will still be charging me but with a much lesser charge, I wont be detained just fingerprinted and dna and probably a "insufficient evedence" then and in his words "a line put through it" but this wont be till next tuesday / wedensday as they awaiting some test results ??

So im a lot more positive than yesterday or day before.

Thanks for your response, just taking the 2 minutes really helped me, really really helped thank you, if ANYONE ever finds themself in this situation get representation as quickly as possable, the police are all about what can be proved unfortunalty not the truth or justice, I was questioned without being made aware of the extent and nature of the accusations made against me,

x

[mark]

sory to hear this mate,i have been through hell like yourself,last year and its still going on because of the rumors she is spreading,i hope you get sorted mate. all the best.