Family and Friends Forum

Hello Filipa

Thank you reaching out for support from the Family and Friends forum. It is clear from your message that this may be quite a distressing time for you and I hope that you are able to access some peer support. Additionally I encourage you to reach out for support and advice from our anonymous and confidential helpline on 0808 1000 900. I just wanted to provide some information on what a PSR is. A presentence report is a document that is produced to aid the judge in determining the sentence that should be given to an individual. The pre sentence report provides an assessment of personal information, including details of any criminal record, mental health and employment/education history. The document should give the judge a reasonable picture of the person and reasons or circumstances which could influence the sentence outcome. I would like to highlight that a pre-sentence report can recommend all outcomes including a custodial sentence.

I hope this clarifies what a PSR is.

Take care,

Lucy

My ex husband breached his condition and went back to court just to get another slap on the wrist, basically he got away with it AGAIN, I really don't see much justice for this crime.

I am sorry you are going through this, and that you have the agony of more waiting. It must be a stressful and anxious time for you.

I don't know if this will help, but another way to look at it could be, that our justice system needs to be as objective, fair, robust and accountable as it can be, in order for any of us to have faith in it. Even people who have committed truly heinous crimes, with overwhelming evidence of their guilt, would be entitled to a fair trial, have legal support, put forward a defence and to have things like a PSR. It might seem crazy and wrong sometimes to us, but it's the way it has to be to achieve justice (though I acknowledge the system is still not perfect).

So the PSR is just one aspect of a big process, but a necessary one to help to ensure that justice is served (even in cases where we don't personally believe there are e.g. any valid mitigating factors, we have to put faith in the judge to make that call, based on having all of the evidence in front of them, including things like the PSR).

Not sure if that makes any sense, and i know it doesn't make the waiting any less stressful :(.

Cher - I came back ;). I reflected today and realised, I have very valid experiences and knowledge to share, that can help people who might not otherwise be helped. It is perhaps the only good to come out of any of this - being able to try and help or support others who are on a similar journey. So I'm going to do that :). I hope you are doing ok today xx

So pleased you changed your mind Yellowhouse, it's good to know you're there to help some people who might not get the same support, you are a very strong women! Much respect to you. I'm good thanks, saying that, it's been 4 years since the knock and the whole situation runs through my brain every day! I don't think I'll get over this. :(

Aw Cher, I feel the same, I am changed forever by this experience, in so many ways. Your post made this video pop into my head:

https://twitter.com/bbciplayer/status/987990393437540352?s=21

or

https://fb.watch/5f_uYlaO3u/

(hope the link works!)

It's talking about grief, but I think the idea can apply to other experiences, too. I really hope, as time passes, things will get easier xx

Thanks Yellowhouse, I gave it a watch, it really is like that.

Hope you have a peaceful evening. Xx

Thank you Cher; I hope you do too xx