Family and Friends Forum

Sam_tyler8

Member since
June 2020

77 posts

Posted Tue November 2, 2021 1:31amReport post

Hey everyone



I know with these types of offences people plead guilty but has anyone got any experience with an friend family member etc who's pleaded not guilty if so what was their outcome if you don't mind sharing I'm just really interested in hearing what people have got who haven't pleaded guilty but then been found guilty



Thanks guys

minzaal

Member since
October 2021

44 posts

Posted Tue November 2, 2021 6:02amReport post

The only thing that matters in these cases is the computer forensic evidence.There are cases where people had hundreds if not thousands of images but because they had been deleted they were not guilty of "possession".The cps may then try "making" which is more difficult to prove with deleted files because they need to prove intent.I hope this post is not deleted necause it is the truth and may save heartache for many prople.

Grace Hush

Member since
August 2021

145 posts

Posted Tue November 2, 2021 9:15amReport post

A family member recently pleaded not guilty to communication with a minor and possession of a small amount category C images. He was found guilty on both counts by a jury.

He had always maintained his innocence. The case has taken close to 4 years to finally reach court.

The prosecutions case was quite weak and poorly fought in court. He had a good defence case, the outcome was a shock to him and everyone around him. I cannot say either way whether or not he had actually committed the crimes or not, but I've never witnessed any concerning behaviour from him.

His life, and the lives of everyone around him have been devastated since the initial police contact.

The waiting and trying to live with the unknowns has been a sentence in itself. A guilty plea is at least dealt with more quickly (although still appallingly slowly). I think his initial plea hearing was around 2 years ago!

He hasn't been sentenced yet, that will be another month or so.

I haven't really discussed this case on here as I'm quite detached from the person in question and have limited information but it's relevant to your question.

I think the stigma attached adds a risk factor to how quickly juries will judge but this is obviously just one case.

Judith

Member since
June 2021

195 posts

Posted Tue November 2, 2021 12:10pmReport post

Hi

Following challenge by our solicitor regarding a number of inaccessible images, my husband has now entered a guilty plea to a much smaller number. We hope this might make the difference between a custodial sentence and community payback. However nothing is certain in this nightmare world so we continue to await the hearing with trepidation. Coming up to a year now since the knock and it feels like we have entered a parallel universe where, on the surface , everything looks the same as before, but underneath everything is changed.

Best wishes

minzaal

Member since
October 2021

44 posts

Posted Tue November 2, 2021 1:10pmReport post

Are they not trying to charge him with "making"? I should be interested to know why not.