Worried, 9 months post-knock, awaiting CPS
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Good afternoon everybody.
I'm a new user on this forum, I'd first like to start by hoping that everybody has had a good Christmas period, and that perhaps it has allowed you to maybe relax a bit. But my heart goes out to those who have had a difficult Christmas period.
My son (20) was arrested in Mar '23 after the Police had a report from another agency regarding the "upload" of IIOC to Snapchat.
The Police executed a search warrant and seized a number of devices from his room. None from the rest of the house, however.
Unfortunately he lost his job at the time as it involved working with vulnerable people and he had no choice but to inform the local authority of his arrest and ongoing investigation. He also had to leave a youth organisation he had been a part of since he was 10-years old, obviously. Which is a shame as he enjoyed being there and supporting the young people.
Due to the stress of everything, and who knows what else going through his head, he went to a multi-storey car park with, what was believed to be a plan to jump and take his life. Thankfully, he got in touch with Shout, and then called the Police who came and spoke to him, and brought him home. He rang the GP, and was referred to the CMHT for our area. They assessed him and decided that he did not have a depressive illness, however still wanted him to see a Psychologist regarding a different issue.
The Police bailed him after his arrest and initial interview, and his bail was continually renewed until 2nd Dec '23. However in mid-Nov, they asked him to go in for a second interview. They told him that they had found a total of 150 images, from all 3 categories, on his mobile phone. None of the other 9 or so devices. He always gave a no comment interview, on the advice of the solicitors he has had.
We're now awaiting a decision from the CPS. It's been roughly a month now, and we don't really know what to expect. Has anybody been through a similar scenario with large numbers of images? We're not sure what the CPS wait times are like, or whether to expect Magistrates or Crown Court?
He's worried about the media and press attention from the case. He has a small group of really close friends who spend a lot of time together, and if his case comes out in the media, he's worried that he'll effectively lose all of them and be left with nothing. He says that is worst comes to worst then he can always just "take his own life and everything will be better", which does sound selfish at first glance, but I can sort of understand what he means.
There's always punishment for wrongdoing, and he understands that. But I think if I were in his position, I'd be frightened about everybody I know finding out, too. We both seem to be of the mindset that the media don't seem to care whatsoever about the wellbeing of the people who come through the Justice system, regardless of whether they're actually a risk to others or not.
Any experiences, advice and just words of reassurement are greatly appreciated from you wonderful people. I've been going back page by page on the forums but I thought I'd post about our case, to see if anybody can shed some light on the specific issues.
All the best and wishing you all a happy New Year,
GB
I'm a new user on this forum, I'd first like to start by hoping that everybody has had a good Christmas period, and that perhaps it has allowed you to maybe relax a bit. But my heart goes out to those who have had a difficult Christmas period.
My son (20) was arrested in Mar '23 after the Police had a report from another agency regarding the "upload" of IIOC to Snapchat.
The Police executed a search warrant and seized a number of devices from his room. None from the rest of the house, however.
Unfortunately he lost his job at the time as it involved working with vulnerable people and he had no choice but to inform the local authority of his arrest and ongoing investigation. He also had to leave a youth organisation he had been a part of since he was 10-years old, obviously. Which is a shame as he enjoyed being there and supporting the young people.
Due to the stress of everything, and who knows what else going through his head, he went to a multi-storey car park with, what was believed to be a plan to jump and take his life. Thankfully, he got in touch with Shout, and then called the Police who came and spoke to him, and brought him home. He rang the GP, and was referred to the CMHT for our area. They assessed him and decided that he did not have a depressive illness, however still wanted him to see a Psychologist regarding a different issue.
The Police bailed him after his arrest and initial interview, and his bail was continually renewed until 2nd Dec '23. However in mid-Nov, they asked him to go in for a second interview. They told him that they had found a total of 150 images, from all 3 categories, on his mobile phone. None of the other 9 or so devices. He always gave a no comment interview, on the advice of the solicitors he has had.
We're now awaiting a decision from the CPS. It's been roughly a month now, and we don't really know what to expect. Has anybody been through a similar scenario with large numbers of images? We're not sure what the CPS wait times are like, or whether to expect Magistrates or Crown Court?
He's worried about the media and press attention from the case. He has a small group of really close friends who spend a lot of time together, and if his case comes out in the media, he's worried that he'll effectively lose all of them and be left with nothing. He says that is worst comes to worst then he can always just "take his own life and everything will be better", which does sound selfish at first glance, but I can sort of understand what he means.
There's always punishment for wrongdoing, and he understands that. But I think if I were in his position, I'd be frightened about everybody I know finding out, too. We both seem to be of the mindset that the media don't seem to care whatsoever about the wellbeing of the people who come through the Justice system, regardless of whether they're actually a risk to others or not.
Any experiences, advice and just words of reassurement are greatly appreciated from you wonderful people. I've been going back page by page on the forums but I thought I'd post about our case, to see if anybody can shed some light on the specific issues.
All the best and wishing you all a happy New Year,
GB
Hi GB, having read your post my heart goes out to you and your son. I'm also a mum and here because of my son. When my son was arrested it felt like my world had ended. My son was suicidal and I couldn't sleep, eat or think about anything else. We are now 3 months post sentencing and life is gradually feeling easier.
All of our worst fears came true, my son lost his job, his home, his friends and his marriage.
Due to his poor mental health we managed to get him into private psychotherapy and he has been in therapy ever since. This has helped him so much. He no longer feels suicidal, he takes positive steps forward and seems far more able to deal with whatever comes his way. In addition to psychotherapy he also did the LFF course. At the end of the first session of the course he came downstairs and it was like a light had been turned back on. His eyes were brighter and he was smiling. He had just come to realise that he wasn't alone and wasn't the only person to have done such a terrible thing. One of my sons biggest fears was being named and shamed by the media and this fear came true. Initially he wouldn't leave the house but was helped with this by his psychotherapist and over the last 3 months has continued to take steps forward in this until he recently joined a gym.
It's a long painful journey but there is a life after sentencing. If your son hasn't already done so, I recommend him contacting his GP and reaching out for professional support. You also need support as you need to take care of yourself too.
All of our worst fears came true, my son lost his job, his home, his friends and his marriage.
Due to his poor mental health we managed to get him into private psychotherapy and he has been in therapy ever since. This has helped him so much. He no longer feels suicidal, he takes positive steps forward and seems far more able to deal with whatever comes his way. In addition to psychotherapy he also did the LFF course. At the end of the first session of the course he came downstairs and it was like a light had been turned back on. His eyes were brighter and he was smiling. He had just come to realise that he wasn't alone and wasn't the only person to have done such a terrible thing. One of my sons biggest fears was being named and shamed by the media and this fear came true. Initially he wouldn't leave the house but was helped with this by his psychotherapist and over the last 3 months has continued to take steps forward in this until he recently joined a gym.
It's a long painful journey but there is a life after sentencing. If your son hasn't already done so, I recommend him contacting his GP and reaching out for professional support. You also need support as you need to take care of yourself too.
Hi,
My heart goes out to you, it's all so unknown and scary. I was in a relative similar place. My son was 2 months over 18 when arrested. We are out the other side and I'm happy to give you any info I can to help you through. CPS took 6 weeks to make the descision for us, we was in magistrates court a month later and crown court a month after that. I would encourage him to engage in counselling and LFF course if he can. These really helped my son in court. Please feel free to inbox me if you need too.
My heart goes out to you, it's all so unknown and scary. I was in a relative similar place. My son was 2 months over 18 when arrested. We are out the other side and I'm happy to give you any info I can to help you through. CPS took 6 weeks to make the descision for us, we was in magistrates court a month later and crown court a month after that. I would encourage him to engage in counselling and LFF course if he can. These really helped my son in court. Please feel free to inbox me if you need too.
Hi to fellow mothers who are having to deal with this.
Thankyou for all the support on this forum. It is amazing how many have to face this.
Our son is waiting for Crown Court trial on January 11th,having pleaded guilty.We are now in limbo land awaiting pre-sentence reports from probation,but only two weeks to go & no probation meeting yet.
Torn between wanting a comprehensive report including mitigating factors,such as disability,isolation & probable autism( which may delay the trial) or getting it over & done with, so he can get help & move forward.
Minimal reporting of Magistrates court,but still noticed by some. However Crown Court report may include a photo & more detail. Horrible paranoia sets in.
However, we have received positive support from many & hope it will continue. It is a form of grief as people try to cling onto the person they knew.
Thankyou for all the support on this forum. It is amazing how many have to face this.
Our son is waiting for Crown Court trial on January 11th,having pleaded guilty.We are now in limbo land awaiting pre-sentence reports from probation,but only two weeks to go & no probation meeting yet.
Torn between wanting a comprehensive report including mitigating factors,such as disability,isolation & probable autism( which may delay the trial) or getting it over & done with, so he can get help & move forward.
Minimal reporting of Magistrates court,but still noticed by some. However Crown Court report may include a photo & more detail. Horrible paranoia sets in.
However, we have received positive support from many & hope it will continue. It is a form of grief as people try to cling onto the person they knew.