Family and Friends Forum

I've not been through this yet, so can't offer advice.

But I wish you all the best of luck and you will be in my thoughts tomorrow.

Xx

Hi, I went to crown court to see my ex get sentenced. There was the Judge and 2 other officials sat either side of him at the front of the court which was a large room with a public gallery which was where I sat with my daughter and also a volunteer support worker who was there to support us. There was one other member of the public there also. I'm not sure who he was.
My ex sat in the dock which is a small area in between the Judge and the public gallery. He had a prison officer sat with him as he was on remand. The Barrister was sat in front of the Judge.
I think the whole thing took about 45 minutes and seemed very thorough. They went through the charges and the pre sentencing report. I'd written a letter to the Judge beforehand about my person and the Judge asked if I was present so I stood up. He thanked me for my articulate and thoughtful letter. They then went on to describe IN DETAIL the images found which were all cats. At this point my ex was sobbing. I really regret that my 18 year old was there given the details that were read out. They spent quite a long time stipulating what was to be in the SHPO. After that the Judge ordered my ex to stand. He lectured him about the seriousness of what he'd done and the suffering of the children in the images and sent him to prison for 3 years. The ex was taken down there and then and we had no opportunity to speak to him.

Id been warned beforehand about the court reporter who might be there on the day. They weren't so I thought we'd got away with that. However, 6 weeks later I got a call from the OIC giving me 2 hours notice that the case, my ex's photo, age, name, the road I lived in with my children, the offences, charges and sentence were going on the Police FB page by the Police press office. From there the local press picked it up and it was everywhere. Nowadays the court reporters are in the proceedings online so they aren't there in person.
I really hope you get the result you want tomorrow. X

My experience is a bit different because I live north of the border. My person had their first sentencing day but his actual solicitor was off so the Sheriff requested that we go back 4 weeks later.

That second sentencing was more intense, we were there pretty much the whole morning, we watched the others called up and be dealt with. The solicitor explained that we had been pushed later to ensure the court was a bit quieter. They didn't really discuss his full crime beyond that it was a horrendous crime and he could go to prison. A few questions were asked and answered between the Sheriff and solicitor then he was given the highest non-custodial sentence he could.

I hope that helps.

My exoerience at crown court. When you are called in your person will be taken to the dock which is behind a glass screen at our court. They are searched and have their possessions taken by security guard and locked in. They sit in the dock. There is the prosecuting barrister, your barrister. There's the court clerk and one or two ushers. The prosecutor had their oppo and the barrister had their oppo say behind them. The judge knocks and comes in everyone stands. So scary.
I was already shaking.
then the prosecutor stands up goes through the charges and what it is they have done. In some detail. Details that weren't included at the plea.
then the barrister goes through the mitigations, pre sentence report recommendation and character reference. Talks about family and children work etc.

at this point the judge would usually pass sentence straight away but in our case the judge decided to rise for about 15 minutes and whilst they thought about it and did some calculations eg reduction for guilty plea. Judge came back in and passed sentence.
it is the most scary experience best wishes for tomorow

Hi,

We were there last week. Court is an unpleasant place and was when I completed jury service a couple of years ago. I thinks it's that sense of the very unknown and the powers and authority that ring around the walls.

However worried I was, and you will be it really does have to be done to move forward.

You will arrive, speak briefly with your barrister who will run through what time you are likely to be called in and answer any last minute questions you may have.

Once called he will enter the dock, you will sit where the public are allowed. There will be a judge, usher, probation officer, prosecution barrister and your barrister. We also had the press officer in court.

The charges where again read and the prosecution commenced their timeline of events. Evidence was graffic with intention. When they finally finished the barrister for my son spoke, it felt brief. Mitigation was advised and over.

The judge spoke between himself and each barrister openly before asking for a moment to read the pre sentence report and character references.

The judge then commenced with his statements and findings. Unfortunatly, meaning the aggravating factors are read again!



Sentence confirmed and we left, with the prison bag in hand!



I wish you all the best xx

My experience was close to the experience of T2021.

I felt that entire day was an outer body experience. When the judge passed sentence it was not straightforward. It was X amount of months, Y amount of months , Z amount of months, for categories, and in that state of mind I could not do simple maths, to understand if it's suspended or not. In the end it was a suspended sentence, and off we worried about press - and there was none.

I had no new information read out, no shocks there but public viewing box in my case was first floor and I could not see husband and he could not see us. I wanted judge to know we were there, and I wanted to see him but it was not possible.

It's hard, it's really really hard and I wish you all the best.

Sending you a hand to hold and comfort from knowing you aren't alone. We're here for you xxx

Sending you a hand to hold and comfort from knowing you aren't alone. We're here for you xxx

Sending you love and strength x

Much love and support to you, hoping for an as good as it can be outcome x

Tink, I almost don't want to say that's great news, considering the circumstances, but it really is great news! You must both be so so relieved and probably exhausted! Be good to yourselves today. Eat the cake, drink the wine, you deserve it!

Can I ask what your persons charges were please? Private message me if you'd prefer. My persons charges won't be for months and months yet (7 weeks in after the knock) but I like to be armed with facts and info. And did your solicitor advise on writing the character references and who to address them to?

Have a calm day hiding away and starting your recovery from this. Xx

Huge hugs and love to you both and your kids xx

Thanks for sharing Tink - it must have been such a difficult day for you all.
I think the charges he faced today could be similar to what my OH will likely be charged with (if he has been honest with me) so your sentencing today gives me hope that we may not face a custodial sentence.

Once you have recovered I would be really interested in what sort of thing you had as the character reference as I would also be doing this.

in the meantime, hugs and love sent your way.

Sending you lots of love, strength and hugs. Always here for you xx

Tink I'm so pleased to hear your news- now it is time to relax a bit and move forward together.

If you need any advice on how to negotiate the next stage then please feel free to message me.

Sending lots of love and support to you xx