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lostinthewoods

Member since
September 2024

135 posts

Have just had a conversation with duty solicitor who sat in on my husband's interview following his arrest and it's thrown me into a complete panic.

She said that sexual communication with a child (in the case of my husband he says he didn't know the age) is classed as a worse offence than that which HW has recently been sentanced for.

Now I'm just terrified but trying to hold it together for the sake of my husband - will he go to prison?

Posted Fri September 20, 2024 12:53pmReport post

Caggie164

Member since
October 2023

357 posts

I'm so sorry you're struggling. I'm in a similar situation and until I joined this forum wouldn't have had a clue. As far as I understand communication is classed as a contact offence but that doesn't necessarily mean a custodial sentence. My person is still under investigation so I'm just trying to get through each day and deal with things as they arise. Like people have said on here it seems to be the luck of the draw with the judge on the day. Sending you a hug xx

Posted Fri September 20, 2024 1:06pmReport post

lostinthewoods

Member since
September 2024

135 posts

Hugs much appreciated and reciprocated x

We are at the very beginning of this process - just 5 weeks since the knock - and I feel like I've been launched into an alternative universe with no way home.

The conversation with the solicitor has not helped.

One day at a time is so tough - he can't see the grandkids who aren't old enough to be told but are old enough to miss grandad and want to see him. I've had to cancel holidays we had paid for as his bail conditions prevent him sleeping anywhere else.

And on top of that my mind is in overdrive with the stress of it all - wondering if he is telling the truth or if the last 20 years have been a lie.

This forum is wonderful although not a single one of us should be here, at least we have the support from people who know what we are going through x

Posted Fri September 20, 2024 1:46pmReport post

West

Member since
July 2024

25 posts

It is seen as worse in terms of sentencing, but isn't considered a contact offence. A suspended sentence is still an option, but so is a custodial sentence.



It might be worth contacting a specialist lawyer for some advice- most will give a free consultation. We used James McAuley at ABR solicitors so can recommend him if you aren't sure. The duty solicitor we got was terrible and said he would go to prison for a long time and probably wouldn't be able to see his children again which doesn't seem to be the case at all!

Posted Fri September 20, 2024 2:14pmReport post

lostinthewoods

Member since
September 2024

135 posts

Thanks - our duty solicitor is a well known local firm but there are other options - of course cost is in our minds. Although comfortable we are not well off by any means and if he should lose his job it would be disastrous.

So many things to worry about!

Posted Fri September 20, 2024 2:24pmReport post

Caggie164

Member since
October 2023

357 posts

West

Thank you for that. I thought it was :) x

Posted Fri September 20, 2024 2:51pmReport post

Poppop

Member since
September 2023

84 posts

Lostinwords

Was it a real child or decoy

My son case was a decoy vilante

2 yrs suspended sentence

Posted Fri September 20, 2024 3:01pmReport post

lostinthewoods

Member since
September 2024

135 posts

Poppop - we've not been told it was a decoy so assume it was a real person.

The police have taken all his devices away for forensics but he has said time and again he hasn't any photos / videos and has never touched anyone.

He just said he had been chatting to women online and didn't know she was underage.

I'll deal with the cheating aspect of this once we are both in a better place mentally. Right now I can't deal with that too

Posted Fri September 20, 2024 3:15pmReport post

Ocean

Member since
September 2023

965 posts

lostinthewoods, I'm so sorry to know that the duty solicitor has made you even more anxious than you already were.

My sons offence was communication, he to had been communicating with adult females before finding himself in communication with an underaged child. Very very sadly he didn't end the communication the moment he found out. He had 3 charges all related to sexual communication and received a 2 year suspended sentence, 300 hours community service, 10 years SOR, 10 years SHPO, attendance on the Horizon course and a fine.

Posted Fri September 20, 2024 7:00pmReport post

lostinthewoods

Member since
September 2024

135 posts

Thank you Ocean, for sharing your son's experience. It sounds very similar.

I guess a suspended is the best we can hope for xx

Posted Fri September 20, 2024 8:23pmReport post

Quick exit