Family and Friends Forum

Time frame of investigation

Notifications OFF

Mabel

Member since
June 2019

208 posts

Posted Wed August 19, 2020 10:29amReport post

Hi everyone

I think I might have asked this before but can't remember for sure!

I just wondered if anyone on here has had the time frame of the investigation mentioned in the court hearing and if it went in favour of the offender?



My partner has been Rui for 2 year and 2 months and we have heard nothing from the police. He was caught by a a vigilante group.



He has been doing weekly therapy since his arrest and has completed 2courses, done slaa group therapy as well as an evaluation at a hospital for people with addictions.



Thanks

Mabel x x x

Izzy

Member since
July 2019

91 posts

Posted Wed August 19, 2020 10:34amReport post

Hi Mabel



I have read several legal articles on this and the judge when sentencing is meant to take the time between arrest and sentencing into account but as with everything in this area of the law such consideration does not appear to be applied consistently.

Sorry I can't give you a more positive response.



Izzy

Joe

Member since
June 2019

15 posts

Posted Wed August 19, 2020 11:27amReport post

Hi

At my partner's sentencing the judge commented that it had taken 14 months for the investigation, and that my partner had used the time well in seeking help. I think it helped him get a community sentence rather than suspended or immediate custody. The starting point for my partner was 1 year prison.

Mabel

Member since
June 2019

208 posts

Posted Wed August 19, 2020 12:27pmReport post

Thank you for your replies.

That is really positive Joe, especially considering it starts at 1 year custody!

Like I said he has been using this time to seek help for himself, like your partner did.




That has given me some hope... tho not all judges are the same of course!

thanks

Mabel x x

majestictopaz15

Member since
December 2019

371 posts

Posted Wed August 19, 2020 5:09pmReport post

At my partner's hearing the solicitor made the point it took over two years to get to sentencing and basically got shut down by the judge. The solicitor seemed quite new and had to clarify he brought it up to emphasise that in that time my partner did rehabilitation and used LF hotline and held down a job etc.

The judge said that the lengiof time it took for the police to investigate was not a factor because essentially my partner's fault since he went no comment on interviews (as advised).

However the fact he did the rehabilitation and had no prior issues and pleaded guilty helped him get a suspended sentence and community service. Tbh I feel like it was close to prison sentence because of how young the youngest Cat A footage found.

So overall, the length of time isn't a factor as such, it has how the offender uses that time that would be mitigating circumstances that could help be the difference between prison and suspended sentence. (From my experience)

Edited Wed August 19, 2020 5:10pm

Mabel

Member since
June 2019

208 posts

Posted Wed August 19, 2020 8:44pmReport post

Thanks very much for you reply majestictopaz.

Yes that is good to hear as well that the judge in your partners situation took into consideration the time he spent rehabilitating himself.



It does seem to be crazy when at the police station they are advised to say no comment, but then the judge basically saying you shouldn't do that!

well time will tell anyway..I'm just clinging to any shred of hope!




thanks again

mabel x x x