Electronic Items Seized
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Hi, my sons electrical items were seized by Police. He was released the same day on bail for allegedly accidentally speaking to a teenager (under 16) on a chat site. My son is denying it on the ground he didn't know they were under age (and it was just a normal chat).
Surely the police need some form of evidence before an arrest? Am I being naive believing my son?
Surely the police need some form of evidence before an arrest? Am I being naive believing my son?
Has your son been interviewed?
If he had legal representation at the interview, his solicitor will send a letter detailing what the charges are and what was said in the interview.
if your son is under 18 you can probably contact the OIC to find out more details.
I would suggest phoning the helpline here; they will be able to advise you on the process somewhat better.
sorry that you've joined this club x
If he had legal representation at the interview, his solicitor will send a letter detailing what the charges are and what was said in the interview.
if your son is under 18 you can probably contact the OIC to find out more details.
I would suggest phoning the helpline here; they will be able to advise you on the process somewhat better.
sorry that you've joined this club x
Hi, i'm sorry you find yourself and your family here in this situation, it is such a worrying time. From what I understand, the vast majority of communication cases are decoys so I assume they will have some form of evidence in order to arrest ie screen shots etc. I would have thought your son would have been questioned about the evidence specifically (maybe sections read out) if he attended an interview. Unfortunately, its a long slow process.
Thank you for your responses. My son is over 18. I don't believe he had legal representation and was interviewed at the Police station then released with bail conditions (not to be alone with children). I believe the next step is they check his phone.
Hi Roger, Welcome, I'm sorry you find yourself joining us here but you have come to the right place to find support from others who are or have gone through a similar experience to you.
The police would have had some intelligence that your son had behaved illegally before they arrested him. It could have been a report from the underaged person themself or someone they knew, e.g a parent or from a decoy if the person your son was communicating with was a decoy. Once the police receive the information they will then usually trace the IP address. They will then have seized your sons electronic devices to look for further evidence.
I'm sure this is a huge shock to you so please look after yourself as you have now found yourself on a long, challenging journey.
The police would have had some intelligence that your son had behaved illegally before they arrested him. It could have been a report from the underaged person themself or someone they knew, e.g a parent or from a decoy if the person your son was communicating with was a decoy. Once the police receive the information they will then usually trace the IP address. They will then have seized your sons electronic devices to look for further evidence.
I'm sure this is a huge shock to you so please look after yourself as you have now found yourself on a long, challenging journey.
Thank you Ocean.
Should my son be charged I know there will be a stigma against me and the family. I'm sure others have experienced it but it seems so unfair to be judged for something me and my wife knew nothing about.
Should my son be charged I know there will be a stigma against me and the family. I'm sure others have experienced it but it seems so unfair to be judged for something me and my wife knew nothing about.
Unfortunately this offence affects all the family and is a long drawn out process. Did he not have a duty solicitor with him at the police station? X
Hi Roger,
Sorry you find yourself here with us, but you are in the right place. These people have been amazing for me. Mine was my son too (Just over 18).
You are right, we shouldn't be judged on crimes we haven't done and there is a lot of people (here included) trying to fight against the family being perpetrated as well.
Take care
Sorry you find yourself here with us, but you are in the right place. These people have been amazing for me. Mine was my son too (Just over 18).
You are right, we shouldn't be judged on crimes we haven't done and there is a lot of people (here included) trying to fight against the family being perpetrated as well.
Take care
Hey Roger,
I'm sorry you're in this position, it's a very difficult and stressful time. It's difficult to understand the ins and outs at this stage as only your son knows what they are, I'm not saying he is but sometime people aren't completely honest about things until later down the line and sometimes not at all. This kind of situation varies so much from person to person. Your son may know whether he is being accused of communicating with a real child or a decoy - if it is a decoy it is unlikely that age would not be disclosed prior to illegal communication ensued, however this doesn't mean he necessarily will be prosecuted. Legal representation should be offered to those who are arrested and be offered on more than one occasion and the option to have legal representation shouldn't be downplayed by the police as this would go against PACE, all persons who are arrested should be offered legal representation.
If you could find out whether your son knows if this relates to a decoy and why exactly he wasn't offered a solicitor - did he give a no comment interview or did he answer questions?
I'm sorry you're in this position, it's a very difficult and stressful time. It's difficult to understand the ins and outs at this stage as only your son knows what they are, I'm not saying he is but sometime people aren't completely honest about things until later down the line and sometimes not at all. This kind of situation varies so much from person to person. Your son may know whether he is being accused of communicating with a real child or a decoy - if it is a decoy it is unlikely that age would not be disclosed prior to illegal communication ensued, however this doesn't mean he necessarily will be prosecuted. Legal representation should be offered to those who are arrested and be offered on more than one occasion and the option to have legal representation shouldn't be downplayed by the police as this would go against PACE, all persons who are arrested should be offered legal representation.
If you could find out whether your son knows if this relates to a decoy and why exactly he wasn't offered a solicitor - did he give a no comment interview or did he answer questions?
I am unsure if it was a decoy or not.
My son decided against a solicitor as he didn't feel he had done anything wrong (answered the questions). He is adamant he didn't know the person was under 18 and no photos etc shared.
The facts will be on the phone so only time will tell.
My son decided against a solicitor as he didn't feel he had done anything wrong (answered the questions). He is adamant he didn't know the person was under 18 and no photos etc shared.
The facts will be on the phone so only time will tell.
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Hi Roger, I am also here because of my son. He moved back home on the day of his arrest and has remained with us ever since. During the time it took from arrest to sentencing he lost everything, his job, his home, his family life etc and thanks to the local media everyone who knows him, knows what he did. Like you, I worried about the stigma on myself and my husband but what has happened in reality is that people have showed us compassion and concern. Some people choose to ignore my son but no one has done anything to hurt him and no one has done anything to suggest they are judging my husband and myself for continuing to love and support our son.
Hopefully it is some kind of misunderstanding and it can be dealt with fairly. It was my partner who was arrested back in 2021 for the same offence, although he provided his defence we were still dragged through court until he was acquitted and I spent 18 months of my life worried sick everyday over nothing effectively. We never confided in anyone apart from my sister who I was forced to tell because of her child and nobody knows anything about what happened, even now so I would advise, if you can manage to keep it to yourself and just reach out here for support, it's certainly a good idea until you know more. Hoping for a good outcome for you both and thinking of you x
Thank you, it's such an awful time.
My fear was / is that the Police must have had some sort of evidence to make an arrest.
My fear was / is that the Police must have had some sort of evidence to make an arrest.
If it was a decoy, then the police will already have a copy of the chat and that will be their evidence. If it was an allegation by a real person then that persons phone will also need to be checked.
My son has admitted the person or decoy said they were under 16. He continued the conversation (allegedly nothing sexual) but I am not sure on the law around knowingly speaking to minors online.
Why he would not of ended the conversation when an age was mentioned baffles me.
I would assume it will come down to the actual context of the conversations.
Why he would not of ended the conversation when an age was mentioned baffles me.
I would assume it will come down to the actual context of the conversations.
Hey Roger,
There are an array of reasons people continue the conversations, some don't truly believe they are actually engaging with a minor (whether it be a decoy or real) and some don't understand the impact their actions may have by continuing the conversation.
There is a lot that goes into these cases so it may not be open and shut x
There are an array of reasons people continue the conversations, some don't truly believe they are actually engaging with a minor (whether it be a decoy or real) and some don't understand the impact their actions may have by continuing the conversation.
There is a lot that goes into these cases so it may not be open and shut x
I appreciate your response BaffledB.
Its torn my family. My wife doesn't want to be around him fearing there is no smoke without fire. My son is adamant he's not done anything apart from talk to the child. I feel so confused.
Its torn my family. My wife doesn't want to be around him fearing there is no smoke without fire. My son is adamant he's not done anything apart from talk to the child. I feel so confused.
I agree with everything Baffled has said in that people continue to communicate for a variety of reasons.
I'm also here because of my son and it is very likely that your wife is still in shock at the moment. You've all been through a trauma and everyone deals with a shock like this in their own way. How is your son doing and has he reached out for support? I can recommend contacting the Lucy Faithful help line if you haven't already done so. I also recommend contacting your GP for support and maybe encouraging your wife and son to do the same.
I'm also here because of my son and it is very likely that your wife is still in shock at the moment. You've all been through a trauma and everyone deals with a shock like this in their own way. How is your son doing and has he reached out for support? I can recommend contacting the Lucy Faithful help line if you haven't already done so. I also recommend contacting your GP for support and maybe encouraging your wife and son to do the same.