Family and Friends Forum

We're also in a very small community so I understand your fears. My persons case was published on line on the day he attended magistrates court and a week or so later in the local paper. The same thing happened again after crown court.

He had removed himself from social media soon after his arrest. I closed my social media accounts the night before court and chose not to read the media reports or comments.

The media made the case sound really bad and called him a 'P' in the headline and write up. They published his name, age and address but made no mention of any family members. Even though we had informed close family members of his arrest we didn't know all the details so only shared what we knew. This meant they were shocked by what they read but have remained supportive.

I hid away for a few days but eventually needed to go out and buy food. Once I had been out a few times without anything bad happening I stopped worrying quite so much.

My person took much longer before he felt able to go out in public but having to do community payback helped him with this as it forced him to leave the house and mix with others.

We're now 6 months post sentencing and as much as we wish the media hadn't published the story, we now look at it as we've got nothing left to hide and that the people who have remained in our lives have done so knowing the details. We got through it just like we've survived everything else.

We are 5 weeks since media attention we removed ourselves from social media best thing ever as we couldn't read what was said, we purchased a ring doorbell which made us feel easier at night, we pretty much laid low the weekend after media then daughter went to school on Monday I went to work on the Tuesday, we have gone shopping outwith area which was our own choice, we can't control what people will say but we can not put ourselves in situations that could cause us upset.

Our closest family already know and as soon as it hit media I spoke to the friends who were important to us and my place of work also where I have had no issues, my daughter had one person say something to her at school her friends backed her up and school reacted immediately which I am grateful for.

Another small community here too. In the media twice. House was graffittied and I was then burgled as a direct result. Now have security cameras and a marker on my property with the police. Don't like going outside the house at night and 18 months down the line still jump at noises outside etc.

Hi Aardvark, my son attended the same local court building for both magistrates court and crown court. Both courts shared the same entrance and waiting room. To be honest I don't think it makes any difference if you take time off work or return the next day, you still have to go to work at some point. I walked into work as if nothing had happened and even though I am aware that some people know, no one has ever mentioned anything or treated me any differently. It's hard but the first day back is the worst and then it starts getting easier. We're now 6 months post sentencing and I no longer worry who knows and who doesn't.