Family and Friends Forum

Amethyst

Member since
September 2023

25 posts

Posted Thu January 18, 2024 1:56pmReport post

Hi all

For refrence we had the knock in April 2023 he was arrested but not charged and have been searching all devices since. He obviously moved out of the family home.

We had a long conversation numerous times and he's openly spoke to me about his addiction

In November 2023 I dowcovered I was approx 8 weeks pregnant and a history of 5 miscarriages this one seems strong and am now 14 weeks.

He got an email that 60% of devices have been searched, they have found images unfortuantly (I.was hoping for a miracle). The email was confirimg pilolice were requesting an extension of bail until May and we sre awaiting that decision. In out conversations I feel sick to say he said they covered all categories.

Please.can anyone give advice/support on what he may be looking at I'm not familiar with the jargon. I do not think he will cope with jail time and am so scared of what is going to happen.

Ocean

Member since
September 2023

771 posts

Posted Thu January 18, 2024 2:56pmReport post

Hi Amethyst, firstly congratulations to you both, my heart goes out to you in celebrating your happy news but also knowing how much anxiety you must be feeling.
Unfortunately none of us will be able to give you the answer to your question as none of us ever know what is going to happen on the day. What I do know is that the judge has to follow the sentencing guidelines and that you can find these on line. That the person can get up to a 33% reduction for pleading guilty early in the court proceedings. That mitigating circumstances can increase or decrease the sentence as the judge decides.
My advice would be for your person to do as much as he can now to understand his addiction and behaviour and work towards putting things in place to prevent him reoffending in the future. If he hasn't already done so I recommend the LFF course.
The fact that the prisons are full and that the courts have been told to give sentences that can be managed in the community where possible, will also be in your persons favour.
I wish you both all the very best and am here for any support you may need.

rainyday52

Member since
April 2023

447 posts

Posted Thu January 18, 2024 3:06pmReport post

EDIT Hi Amethyst - as i was writing my reply Ocean's was published and I'm repeating much of what she's said but I'll post mine anyway!!

Hi Amethyst - I'm so sorry you having to post on this forum and being afraid of the future now you have a baby on the way (congratulations!). I hope you are taking good care of yourself, especially with your past experiences. Your question about sentencing is the million dollar one. There are sentencing guidelines online on the sentencing council website, which have to be referred to in sentencing but there is so much leeway for differences, both because of mitigation (eg first offence, good character, remorse etc) or the opposite of that (not sure what the opposite of mitigation is called!) which would include things like not a first offence etc. Add into that, especially if it's a judge and not a magistrate, personal feelings - even how they feel on the day, can affect the outcome.


It shouldn't be like that but once you've been on this forum for a while you will realise how unfair it can be and unequal in terms of sentencing across the country. It does seem at the moment that more sentences are suspended so not custodial as prisons are so full, but we can't rely on that for our person.

The news that things are 60% done regarding devices - well, I'd take that firmly with a pinch of salt as the police in our experience, will say whatever makes them look efficient. Since May our OIC has been saying that it's all well underway and here we are still waiting. But I hope I'm being needlessly cynical and in your case things will happen as suggested.

Keep asking anything you're unsure about and someone will always reply helpfully or just send you a virtual hug!

Edited Thu January 18, 2024 3:08pm

Amethyst

Member since
September 2023

25 posts

Posted Thu January 18, 2024 5:12pmReport post

Thank you both for your responses.

I was not aware of the site mentioned for sentences, am probably too afraid to look.

rainyday52

Member since
April 2023

447 posts

Posted Fri January 19, 2024 9:49amReport post

Amethyst,

I originally posted a link to that website but deleted it as for me it caused all kinds of anxieties. Seeing the very worst outcome and in official jargon was horrible, so I decided to leave you to seek it out yourself if you wanted to. I think that looking probably isn't very helpful if you know you're not feeling very strong and actually as it doesn't take into account any positives like mitigation, it isn't the whole picture and I wish I hadn't looked!!

Edited Fri January 19, 2024 9:50am