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  • Help for My Father

    My 77 year old father was arrested yesterday on an historic rape accusation from 1992. He is currently in local a police cell near his home in Wales and there are officers driving from East Anglia, about 300 miles away, to take him back to be questioned.
    The accuser was a teenager in 1992 and was one of a group of disadvantaged local kids who went to my parents' church where my Dad used to take them camping, swimming and on trips to Alton Towers etc.
    My Father can be very naive and simply sees the best in everyone. I've lost count of the times he's been ripped off by tradesmen or car salesmen because they said they were Christians and therefore he believes everything they say without question. Back in the 1990s we pointed out to him that he was putting himself at risk of this type of allegation as the groups of kids he took camping were almost exclusively girls. I recognise that sounds suspicious but anyone who knows my Father could never believe he was guilty of this.

    In about 1998 he was previously accused by another one of these girls' mothers of deliberately bursting in on a group of girls when they were changing. He was interviewed by police and this led him to believe us that he was putting himself at significant risk and he immediately stopped organising these trips. This first accusation was put down as malicious because he'd refused to take the girl in question on the latest trip because she'd been disruptive on previous trips or something like that and no further action was taken.

    The police went to my parents' house this afternoon and seized his computer and mobile phone and I think searched the house.

    I guess I'm after advice on what happens next. I see from other posts that there's no need to instruct a solicitor unless he's charged. I spoke to the custody sergeant who advised that he'd be given legal advice both there and at his destination. Is this good enough at this stage? I'm happy to pay if there's an advantage to finding him other representation. How do I find a competent solicitor with relevant experience?

    I live about 150 miles from the station he's being taken to and my mother tells me that when he's released he will have to make his own way home. Is that correct? Assuming he's innocent can they really drag you 300 miles away and then leave you to get yourself home? Regardless of the legality I'll go and collect him and I'm wondering if there's any benefit to me heading up there early tomorrow on the assumption that he'll be released after how ever many hours of questioning. I'd hate him to be released and then have to wait 4 hours for me to get there. Any thoughts? Am I right that he's likely to be released tomorrow? There can't be anything other than the accuser's statement against him so surely they can't justify keeping him longer?

    Any advice gratefully received.
    Brian

  • #2
    Hello and welcome to the forum,

    It's great that you are going to support your father through what undoubtedly will be a stressful time for you all; here are couple of links from the 'Useful Information' section of the forum.

    http://www.daftmoo.org.uk/mooforum/s...at-happens-now

    http://www.daftmoo.org.uk/mooforum/s...ist-solicitors

    It's important that he has a solicitor sitting in on his forthcoming interview though not essential at this stage that they are specialists in defending false accusations. As the accusation has originated from East Anglia the investigation will take place there so it will be best to select a local solicitor, a member recently recommended a firm in Kings Lynn. ( post #81
    in the solicitors thread )

    I would think it unlikely that your father will be kept overnight, so if he arrives in EA this morning, the necessary procedures and interviews will take place today and he should be bailed by the evening. As it is a planned pick-up the interview will probably already have been scheduled.
    Last edited by Casehardened; 7 March 2017, 06:09 AM. Reason: to add post number
    'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger'

    Comment


    • #3
      Which Solicitor?

      Thanks for your reply case hardened, that's very helpful.

      Due to the distance between his home and the accuser, would you suggest a solicitor close to the accuser or his home would be best overall? If charged I assume he'll be home in Wales until any court hearing.

      Thanks

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by Brian70 View Post

        Due to the distance between his home and the accuser, would you suggest a solicitor close to the accuser or his home would be best overall? If charged I assume he'll be home in Wales until any court hearing.

        Thanks
        It's really a question as to whether he would prefer private representation or would require legal aid.

        If the latter then he would need to instruct a solicitor in the area where the allegation was made as, heaven forbid, should the matter go any further, court proceedings would take place there.

        There is not much margin on legal aid so any solicitor would not wish to travel very far (nor overnight in the event of a court case) obviously with private representation this would not be an issue.

        Please don't be depressed at my mention of court; we always recommend mentally preparing for the worst scenario.....the most likely outcome on this occasion is that he will be bailed for 'further enquiries' to take place: as the alleged incident didn't occur there will be no evidence justifying an immediate charge.
        'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger'

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by Brian70 View Post
          Thanks for your reply case hardened, that's very helpful.

          Due to the distance between his home and the accuser, would you suggest a solicitor close to the accuser or his home would be best overall? If charged I assume he'll be home in Wales until any court hearing.

          Thanks
          Hello Brian.

          I'm sorry you have had to find your way here, I'm afraid your father is in an all too familiar situation.

          I am that member in EA and my solicitor David pirrie, was very good for me and is a police station representative rather than a specialist false allegation solicitor.

          http://www.breydonssolicitors.co.uk/...in-kings-lynn/


          Unfortunately, EA is a pretty big place but there is a shortage of recommended Solicitors in the area. The important thing for now is that he has some representation at the interview.

          A Legal aid solicitor is not paid for travelling huge distances but there is no need to panic about this, the police merely want to speak to your father as part of their investigations, in most cases, even in this day and age, the police decide to take no further action.
          For reliable legal aided advice in the London or home counties area, contact Harvey Fox of Freemans Solicitors, London. ( Private clients nationwide) :
          https://freemanssolicitors.net/team_members/harvey-fox/


          To join secure closed forums for those falsely accused of historical sex offences visit https://pafaaorg.wordpress.com/


          For help and advice with appealing convictions visit https://pacso.co.uk/pafaa-pacso-forums/

          Comment


          • #6
            Thanks again Case Hardened and Peter.
            I've recently heard that the plan has changed and he's to be interviewed locally in Wales which I guess has to be less traumatic if that's possible.
            My mother's been allowed to take him some food and she's giving him details of the most local solicitors on your list so he can decide if he'd rather speak to them than the duty solicitor.
            I can't find the accuser on social media but she's got a fairly common name so it's not easy.
            I don't think there's anything else I can be doing other than fretting over how terrible this must be for him.
            Your input really is invaluable.
            Thanks again
            Brian

            Comment


            • #7
              I'm glad to hear he isn't being dragged across the country, although this sounds like police ineptitude for not doing this in the first place.

              I have to say that I was treated humanely by Norfolk police, I was picked up and brought back in around only 3-4 hours as i recall. I am presuming that PO will be travelling from Norfolk for the interview as it is their case and so your poor father may have to wait a while longer, but who knows.

              Fingers crossed he will be home and having a decent cup of tea soon.

              Keep searching on social media, it has proved valuable time and again in cases. The attention seeking false accuser's just can't help but incriminate themselves with their own words sometimes.

              Once your father has been interviewed you will know more, come back for support and advice.
              For reliable legal aided advice in the London or home counties area, contact Harvey Fox of Freemans Solicitors, London. ( Private clients nationwide) :
              https://freemanssolicitors.net/team_members/harvey-fox/


              To join secure closed forums for those falsely accused of historical sex offences visit https://pafaaorg.wordpress.com/


              For help and advice with appealing convictions visit https://pacso.co.uk/pafaa-pacso-forums/

              Comment


              • #8
                Hello Brian,

                I'm sorry you've need for this site but so glad you've found us. As you know already there are good people here and lots of great and accurate advice.

                There's not a lot I can add at this point except to say that I'm so glad that the police have come to their senses and are not dragging your father half way across the country. The police travelled many miles to come and question my man at a local station so there's no excuse for them to drag an elderly man hundreds of miles and then effectively dump him to make his own way home.

                I hope you can take heart from the fact that a false accusation was seen for what it was previously. Unfortunately these days it can take the police a long time to deal with historical accusations but there's support here for you and your family for as long as you need it.
                'Mongolian Warriors had the courage of lions, the patience of hounds, the prudence of cranes, the long-sightedness of ravens, the wildness of wolves, the passion of fightingcocks, the keenness of cats, the fury of wild boars and the cunning of foxes.' BE A MONGOLIAN WARRIOR WHEN DEFENDING YOUR INNOCENCE!

                Comment


                • #9
                  Glad that the officer are able to deal with your father locally.

                  I would not look for the accuser on social media. I always think its best at this stage to stay clear of that. Once your father is home after the interview, discuss this with his solicitor, who will be the best person to advise on it.
                  Recommended Solicitors --- www.arcadianlaw.com
                  Proven results for people accused of False Allegations

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I disagree with Lucky with regards to gathering evidence via social media.

                    I've been involved in a few cases where Facebook and other such evidence was admitted into the evidence.

                    One trial was stopped on the 2nd day mainly due to evidence i found on FB. The judge told the prosecutor to inform the OIC (officer in the case) that the trial would not proceed because "she is not a witness of truth".

                    Also FB evidence helped in a family court matter I was involved with after a successful appeal against conviction.
                    People Appealing Convictions of Sexual Offences ~http://www.pacso.co.uk

                    PAFAA details ~ https://pacso.co.uk/pafaa-people-aga...ions-of-abuse/

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Rights Fighter View Post
                      I disagree with Lucky with regards to gathering evidence via social media.

                      I've been involved in a few cases where Facebook and other such evidence was admitted into the evidence.

                      One trial was stopped on the 2nd day mainly due to evidence i found on FB. The judge told the prosecutor to inform the OIC (officer in the case) that the trial would not proceed because "she is not a witness of truth".

                      Also FB evidence helped in a family court matter I was involved with after a successful appeal against conviction.
                      I agree 100% with RF , I'm not sure where Lucky is coming from there, although he makes a sound point about your own solicitor being your closest ally, a solicitor is only as good as the information you can supply them with.

                      As long as you don't try to contact the FA, some detective work can't hurt at all and could turn out to be very important. Hopefully, this will not go any further and you will have wasted your time but it's better than sitting around feeling helpless.

                      I hope your dad is ok today.
                      For reliable legal aided advice in the London or home counties area, contact Harvey Fox of Freemans Solicitors, London. ( Private clients nationwide) :
                      https://freemanssolicitors.net/team_members/harvey-fox/


                      To join secure closed forums for those falsely accused of historical sex offences visit https://pafaaorg.wordpress.com/


                      For help and advice with appealing convictions visit https://pacso.co.uk/pafaa-pacso-forums/

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        we obtained and used Facebook evidence at Trial. It was extremely useful in a couple of different ways. It certainly helped prove discrepancies and lies on what witnesses were saying. It was admitted during trial and CPS allowed it in. As long as you take screenshots with dates etc a good defence team will get this admitted for Your defence

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