First Visit
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So my other half was arrested and RUI SIX YEARS AGO (yes you read that right) and charged Nov 24 on 6 charges. He appeared in court last week and pleaded guilty to 2 charges relating to 39 cat C images (all one person). He was bailed with a single condition of not to contact the person in question.
No SHPO or anything else.
Trial is set for mid 2026 for the other offences and sentencing for this one.
He presented himself to the police station last to sign the register and provide details and we are having an assessment visit tomorrow from the plod.
We're not entirely sure what rights those who are coming have and what we have to tell them etc. My solicitor advises me that it should not be a formal interview or request from them to look at devices etc as there is no SHPO in place at all.
I really dont know what to expect.
Any advice would be great
S.
No SHPO or anything else.
Trial is set for mid 2026 for the other offences and sentencing for this one.
He presented himself to the police station last to sign the register and provide details and we are having an assessment visit tomorrow from the plod.
We're not entirely sure what rights those who are coming have and what we have to tell them etc. My solicitor advises me that it should not be a formal interview or request from them to look at devices etc as there is no SHPO in place at all.
I really dont know what to expect.
Any advice would be great
S.
My persons first visit after signing the register was quite informal. They didn't check his devices. They were ok with him just asked a few questions/ he is being sentenced next month so no shpo either I think once that is in place they will check devices x
Thanks for the reply and good luck next month. I hope everything goes well for you.
I don't really have any advice but I'm horrified (not even sure that's the right word) that you've had to wait for 6 years. I think that's the longest I've seen on this forum. Do you have any idea why it's taken so long?
We were told 1-1/2 years - seems standard advice from the police - but we are at almost 2 years now and no further forward. I just don't feel I can put my life on hold for another four years.
How have you coped with the strain on your mental health? Sending hugs xx
We were told 1-1/2 years - seems standard advice from the police - but we are at almost 2 years now and no further forward. I just don't feel I can put my life on hold for another four years.
How have you coped with the strain on your mental health? Sending hugs xx
Im in my 5th year and that is with a guilty plea and still another month until sentnencing.
i think this person has pled not guilty so it is going into the 6th year for trial.
You just have to get on with it For the children sake
i think this person has pled not guilty so it is going into the 6th year for trial.
You just have to get on with it For the children sake
Im in my 5th year and that is with a guilty plea and still another month until sentnencing.
i think this person has pled not guilty so it is going into the 6th year for trial.
You just have to get on with it For the children sake
i think this person has pled not guilty so it is going into the 6th year for trial.
You just have to get on with it For the children sake
Runaway girl my advice re the police and timelines is do not believe a word they say
So just an update.
Had the first visit from the "team" from our local police station yesterday. Two plain clothed female officers, both who were really REALLY nice and came across friendly and approachable. Now dont get me wrong, I completely understand these people are not your friends and to trust them would be insanity, but they stated they were not here to judge or condemn, and that they were here not only for the protection of the public but to make sure my person was coping mentally etc. One did most of the talking whilst the other made notes on a laptop, but both were polite and friendly.
The meeting was more relaxed than I expected. They just asked a few questions about family and if my person had any contact with childred etc, made sure all the notification requirements were met and went on their way stating they will be back probably once every three months unnannouced until the trial just to make sure everything was still up to date and ok. There is no SHPO in place at all.
When they left I felt much more relaxed and did wonder why I was so anxious about, but its the unknown which makes you anxious doesnt it? I wont be so anxious next time.
My person asked what happens if when an unnanounced visit occurs we happen to have guests etc and they simply said "just tell us at the door that its not a good time and we will come back another time", which I thought was a nice touch.
So all in all not really too much to stress about regarding this first meeting.
In regards to the timeline of this predicament, from the initial knock to now its been 6 years. Nobody knows why but it seems from some of the other replies here that thats not actually abnormal although I was told by my solicitor that he'd never seen anything like it in his life and will 100% be bringing it up at trial asking why it took so long.
My person was charged officially in november on 5 charges and pleaded guilty to two a couple of weeks ago and the trial is set for early 2026 so by the time its all over (one way or another) it will be 7 years +.
To put that into perspective, if my person would have pleaded guilty to all charges upon the knock, so there was no investigation at all, they could have hypothetically recieved a 16 year prison sentence and potentially be out now on probation back with the family trying to get in with life.
Had the first visit from the "team" from our local police station yesterday. Two plain clothed female officers, both who were really REALLY nice and came across friendly and approachable. Now dont get me wrong, I completely understand these people are not your friends and to trust them would be insanity, but they stated they were not here to judge or condemn, and that they were here not only for the protection of the public but to make sure my person was coping mentally etc. One did most of the talking whilst the other made notes on a laptop, but both were polite and friendly.
The meeting was more relaxed than I expected. They just asked a few questions about family and if my person had any contact with childred etc, made sure all the notification requirements were met and went on their way stating they will be back probably once every three months unnannouced until the trial just to make sure everything was still up to date and ok. There is no SHPO in place at all.
When they left I felt much more relaxed and did wonder why I was so anxious about, but its the unknown which makes you anxious doesnt it? I wont be so anxious next time.
My person asked what happens if when an unnanounced visit occurs we happen to have guests etc and they simply said "just tell us at the door that its not a good time and we will come back another time", which I thought was a nice touch.
So all in all not really too much to stress about regarding this first meeting.
In regards to the timeline of this predicament, from the initial knock to now its been 6 years. Nobody knows why but it seems from some of the other replies here that thats not actually abnormal although I was told by my solicitor that he'd never seen anything like it in his life and will 100% be bringing it up at trial asking why it took so long.
My person was charged officially in november on 5 charges and pleaded guilty to two a couple of weeks ago and the trial is set for early 2026 so by the time its all over (one way or another) it will be 7 years +.
To put that into perspective, if my person would have pleaded guilty to all charges upon the knock, so there was no investigation at all, they could have hypothetically recieved a 16 year prison sentence and potentially be out now on probation back with the family trying to get in with life.
In terms of rights, you have to let them in, but you don't have to tell them anything at all, unless you choose to. They are only allowed to examine devices, if the SHPO says so.
They are supposed to do a risk assessment on every visit and amore detailed one at the start, although they might be waiting until after the trial to do that, because it will give them a clearer picture.
They are supposed to do a risk assessment on every visit and amore detailed one at the start, although they might be waiting until after the trial to do that, because it will give them a clearer picture.
This actually goes against what they told us.
They said "for us to come in you have to invite us in". Not that they had a right of entry (of which nobody does without a warrant) so i fear you may be incorrect in your assumption that you have to let them in.
However it will probably cause more harm than good if you dont (without good reason).
In our particular case there is no SHPO in place at all. My person stated he was not willing to discuss anything at all relating to the not guilty charges as this is a matter for the courts and they were accpeting of that. They did the risk assessment there and then and although stated that "at the begining everyone is considered high risk", didnt seem to think (or give any impression) that they were concerned in any way regarding my person.
They said "for us to come in you have to invite us in". Not that they had a right of entry (of which nobody does without a warrant) so i fear you may be incorrect in your assumption that you have to let them in.
However it will probably cause more harm than good if you dont (without good reason).
In our particular case there is no SHPO in place at all. My person stated he was not willing to discuss anything at all relating to the not guilty charges as this is a matter for the courts and they were accpeting of that. They did the risk assessment there and then and although stated that "at the begining everyone is considered high risk", didnt seem to think (or give any impression) that they were concerned in any way regarding my person.
You can refuse them entry however if you do this on a number of occasions it will look suspicious and they will obtain a warrant to gain entry, forcibly if necessary.
My partner said that his family had guests over one time when PPU turned up to do an unannounced visit and they were fine with that and instead held the meeting in the officer's car.
My partner said that his family had guests over one time when PPU turned up to do an unannounced visit and they were fine with that and instead held the meeting in the officer's car.
T2021, "Runaway girl my advice re the police and timelines is do not believe a word they say". I completely agree!
The police and officials come across as friendly and supportive & on 'your side'- easy to fall for if you've never had any dealings with them.
After our police experience I have little respect for them now.
After our police experience I have little respect for them now.