Falsely accused of rape in Scotland

[lostafraidandinneedofhelp]

Hey Peter, thank you for the answer, its always good to recieve some advice! For some reason I have been feeling very anxious and nervous for the last weeks, I am finding out how the bad feelings come in waves. I am a bit better now, specially duo to the help of you and others! I don't think I will contact the police and will wait for any communication from them. If anything happens or if I feel really bad again, I will return here, since everyone here always help me! Wishing the best for all that read this, stay strong@

[lostafraidandinneedofhelp]

Hey guys, hope everyone is doing good. I am travelling to europe soon to visit family, and just can't stop thinking about all of this. It's been 16 months since my arrest and I never got any communications attempt from the police (at least not that I know of). I keep thinking about checking with a scottish solicitor, but I have heard from more than 1 person that is never good to actively contact the police in cases like this. Do you guys agree with this? I really want some form of closure, but I still don't know if its better to just leave things as they are. I also metioned my case to some people in Facebook groups and many mentioned how I could be arrested upon returning to Europe. I even contacted a law firm and the solicitor I spoke to said I could be arrested when travelling right after I mentioned I was afraid of being wanted by the police. I don't know if this is a real problem or if people are instigating fear on me or trying to take advantage of me.

[Batmother]

Hello Lostafraid. Maybe you have a few options.

1. Perhaps you could engage with a Solicitor again who is near to the area where the allegation was meant to have happened, and pay for their services to contact the Police on your behalf to ask officially what the situation is with this now, and ask that all communication from either police or COPFS goes via your solicitor then to you.
As I said it will probably cost you money but maybe better to find out for sure instead of this constantly hanging over you, than spending probably a lot of money to travel to Europe and being ‘lifted’ by the Police.

or

2. Contact the Police yourself to ask for a situation update, then from there gauge whether you need to start seeking out legal representation going forward. It might help you decide whether to travel or not.

or

3. You take a chance and travel, hoping the worst case scenario doesn’t happen. I would make contingency plans ie if you are arrested at the airport/port, have a name of someone/telephone number who you could contact to let them know what has happened and they can filter it out to who needs/should know.

I wish I had a crystal ball for you.

Maybe if you can/want you could come back and let us know how it all goes.

Good Luck.

[lostafraidandinneedofhelp]

Hey Batmother! Thanks for the answer! I keep hearing how asking about a case that had no charges in Scotland would only bring attention to an investigation that was possible inactive, but the only way to know about the investigation is asking about it. Its is almost like an observer paradox!

I am very anxious about it all, but as you, peter and CH said before, it really looks like my case have not proceeded. I am just extremelly afraid of not being proprely notified of any charges or further neecssities from side and being arrested when travelling. I think I may call the non emergency number to ask about it all (I have my incident numeber) but the thought of this being a bad idea just can't leave the abck of my mind!

Honestly, this whole thing is a mental torture and I have been enduring it alone for 1 year and a half. The only people I ever told about it are those in this forum. I rather live miserably like now then facing charges for a crime I never commited, but the travelling situation have put me in a spot that I don't know how to handle. I messaged a solicitor and he quoted a thousand pounds just to check if there is an arrest warrant for me. With the current exchange rate, this more than 1 month of my salary. Until the end of the week I have to decide if I will contact the polcie or just pray the whole airplane trip until europe!

I just wanted to thank everybody once again. I know I can come across as desperate and needy, but I have never told a single sould about my situation and every message from you guys makes me feel much better. Recently I have caught myself dreading the act of waking up, since none of this affects me in my sleep. The only dream I have regarding Scotland in general is of visiting the Armchair bookstore in Edinburgh one more time!

[lostafraidandinneedofhelp]

Do anybody think its better to leave it alone? Do stuff like this ever goes to an international level? I am sorry to keep bothering you guys, and completelly understand if no one can/want to answer these questions!

[Batmother]

Hi Lostafraid. I think if the police have all your contact details and you have heard zero from them so far, then I would maybe take the chance and travel.

It seems very unreasonable to me that they would arrest/charge you at the border gate if they have made no attempt whatsoever before this to let you know they are looking for you.

On the solicitor front, a thousand for just making an enquiry is eye watering, believe me when I say I feel your pain, we are thousands down and haven’t even made it past the pre trial case management hearing.

definitely come back on here even just to sound off, It will help stop you climbing the walls.

[lostafraidandinneedofhelp]

Batmother, thank again for your kind words! I no longer live in the UK, I was there for a university course. My fear is that by being a foreigner the police don't try to contact me. They have my email and have used once before, so my hopes are that if needed to contact me they would use the email again. My fear is of getting arrested in a different country when travelling and the sent to the UK. I have no problem in facing any legal necessities, I am just very afraid of being thrown in this world again out of nowhere. I am not sure if my fears are justifiable or just problems created by my mind! Anyway, this week is the one I have to decide what to do. Either conatct them or leave it alone.

[lostafraidandinneedofhelp]

Hey guys, hope everyone is doing as good as possible!

After my last message, I decided to contact a solciitor to check how things are with my case. Today they returned saying the case is pending, but there is no warrants for me or anything that I can do.

Honestly, I'm not sure if this is a good or a bad sign. I'm just happy to know the position I am at and for having contacted a solciitor, this way I know that there is no chance of missing any communication attempts from the police/COPFS.

I know that many people are still going through the process and it is not easy to live like this, but I wanted once more to thank everybody here. Not feeling alone in moments like this is what is keeping me in one piece. I am always reading the updates in this post and everyone here is in my nightly prayers.

I hope everybody have a good end of the year and good holidays. Tomorrow is never certain, but we can still be happy for yesterday and enjoy the now!

[Peter1975]

Great stuff my friend and wise words. Glad you finally have a little weight lifted and can travel without worrying.

It's not unusual for a case tor remain pending so it's neither good nor bad. Investigations do often seem to take an age for some indeterminable reason. One of the reasons often given is the time it takes to gather an examine digital evidence from phones etc and police are under resourced but it's honestly baffling to me how some cases can take literally years to resolve.

Anyway, thanks for the update. I'm glad you have gained a little peace of mind and hopefully you can relax and enjoy the holidays.