Family and Friends Forum

We made efforts to make sure no pictures were taken at court, but the police gave them a picture. I hate seeing it. Like many of them, they don't portray him well - Dishevelled, tired, sad, shocked and of course to reader "He looks like one of them".

There was no request to the police to not release it, I'm not sure on what grounds we'd have been able to ask for it, other than it would mean it would add to the likelyhood that he'd never be able to work in the field of work he did previously.

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It is extremely hurtful, I can only imagine what it must feel like as a mother. I take comfort that based on their comments and other statements they've made, I'd very unlikely value their opinion on many other matters, so why should their opinion matter on this subject. Outside of this crime and some other unsavoury things about the way he's led his life, he's done a lot to support other people and contribute positively to the world and he's done this against adversity - Of course no one wants to hear that just because they've done one bad thing, it doesn't make them a bad person. It feels strange that I feel I'm no longer able to feel proud of the good things in him - Because I was (am) soo so so proud of so so much of him.

I am generally quite liberal in my thinking though, I rarely take things in face value and believe that we are all born into the world wired slightly differently with different weaknesses and strengths, some people are fornuate to be in a supportive environment to stear them on the right path, others aren't, others will hide there inner turmoil so even if they have support, they won't seek it.

We are such complex human beings. Many people won't take time to even reflect and look inwards in themselves, let alone do the same with compassion to other people.

I hope that once he's served his sentence, that we can get the photo removed for them newspaper.

I can't remember if you have children, or your personal circumstances but it is worth a try if you do.

I read that they share photos to there isn't mistaken identity i.e. Thinking that person with a similar name isn't mistakenly identified as the offender

I asked the OIC if they plan to release a statement or photo to the press of my son and they said no they wouldn't be which is a relief, he has crown next month for sentencing for IIOC, he has had his first visor visit and they have taken a photo of him for the register

This is the main thing that haunts my thoughts on a daily basis.

I can fight and get my son through this alive (somehow I don't know how but I flipping will!) but if his photo is in the media or on Facebook I don't think he will mentally cope.

It's a big unknown for us - we're no where near charges yet but it's one of my main worries. I don't know if he would survive the shame.

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