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Crown court date and probation report

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Blueshoes

Member since
July 2021

24 posts

It's been a very long time since I last posted. I've kinda just been getting on with life. But 2 years and one month on from the knock we finally got a court date. Magistrates is done, he pleaded guilty. Today was meant to be crown but last night we got a notification from the solicitor that it is being pushed to potentially Friday, or maybe even later. I'm upset about this as I just want some sort of outcome after waiting for what seems like a lifetime.

I've read the probation report - not a nice read but it's done. It has some good points in it around the amount of effort he has put in to his recovery.



the probation officer is recommending a community order with a course and a fine. I'd love to know how often the judges follow the probabtion officer's recommendation. And by community order, does that mean a suspended sentence or is it another thing entirely? I'm sorry for all the questions it's just very confusing for me.



TIA

Posted Tue July 25, 2023 2:06pmReport post

Distressed and pregnant

Member since
November 2020

1216 posts

Hi,

My persons judge went with the probation report recommendation. A community order is different to a suspended sentence. It is community service, the amount of hours he will need to spend with his probation officer over the course of the order and usually a court ordered rehabilitation course like horizon although others do exist I'm not sure of the names of those. From my understanding a community order carries less time on SOR than a suspended sentence xxx

Posted Tue July 25, 2023 10:45pmReport post

Blueshoes

Member since
July 2021

24 posts

Thank you D&P, I really appreciate your response and helping me to understand:) hopefully the judge does follow the recommendation, it's just so stressful not knowing what the outcome will be! I'll let you know how we get on..

Posted Wed July 26, 2023 2:07pmReport post

InTatters

Member since
June 2022

175 posts

Hi, it seems a total lottery to me. Our pre-sentencing report (by senior and experience probation officer) recommended community sentence, as did the report by a renowned (and expensive) specialist psycho-sexual therapist. Mature, female judge at plea hearing told him to prepare for a possible custodial sentence, perhaps suspended. Young male judge on the day sentenced him to three years in prison. Hope your outcome is the right one for you. Sending strength and serenity.

Posted Wed July 26, 2023 6:57pmReport post

Suzie1980

Member since
June 2023

5 posts

Community order and suspended sentence order (sso) are basically the same in that you have to attend probation supervision with an allocated probation officer. In addition, the court can order unpaid work, mental health and drug treatment, and attending courses.

The difference is if the order is breached in some way e.g regularly not attending appointments, further offending etc. The probation officer will return the matter to court and if you have a sso the custodial sentence can be activated and you can be sent to prison.

The register and SHPO/SOPO is an ancillary police order and will likely be applied for to the court by the police.

Posted Fri July 28, 2023 12:49amReport post

edel2020

Member since
March 2022

553 posts

The time spent on the SOR for a community order is normally 5 years, while for a suspended sentence, it is 10 years. The SHPO will run for the same length as time on the SOR.

Posted Fri July 28, 2023 10:52amReport post

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