Penalty for dropping charges

[folly1]

we dont want our 14 year old son to have to attend court after being assaulted (abh charges). he was extremely anxious after doing an id viewing leading to him not wanting to leave the house. The offender prob wont be sent down anyway as he is 17 and constantly let off for various offences. After sharing my fears with the police they have asked for statements from myself and son requesting to drop the charges. However they say my son could be prosecuted or even locked up if we drop the case. Where do we stand this is so unfair?

[New Judge]

There is not a cat in hell's chance of the CPS authorising charges against your son in the circumsatnces you describe.

[stonekicker]

sounds like the police are doing everything you can to continue the prosecution. you do not have to provide statements if you wish, but as you say the lad always seems to get off with everything. maybe because he always gets off because of a technicality or witnesses withdrawing evidence, maybe? i appreciate it is a difficult situation, but of course your lad is anxious. i bet it will do his self esteem and sense of moral duty and right/wrong if you continue the prosecution, though. how do you think he will feel if you don't go through with it - he may feel that he is powerless and people can do anything they like to him and not be punished. you have to do what is right for you, but if it was my son i would want him to go through with the prosecution, or i'd go and kneecap the little sh!t myself. i do wish you all the best x

[sara3]

easier said that done, stonekicker. my 12 yr old son was punched fully in the face by a 14 year old a couple of weeks ago, we went to the police station, but with the likelihood of him giving evidence in court against this little ****, we backed down.

my son is quite a nervous child, and I think this would destroy him. parents aren't allowed in the court room for support. I was also worried about repurcussions.

I know this means he got away with it, but my son's welfare comes first.

folly, I think the police have been harsh with you. they've put time and effort into this, and obviously want it seen through to the end but you have to put your son first. I wish you all the best x

[stonekicker]

not necessarily, sara. when my son was badly bullied by an older child at school and hit, i did all the right things as you say and got nowhere by speaking to the school and police. so, i cornered the little ****** when he was on his way home and told him if he ever touched my son again, i would follow him all the way home and beat the crap out of his mother , then him and then explain the reasons why. funnily enough, he never touched or spoke to my son again. if anyone touched my child or hurt him in any way, i'd mash them. even if i had to loiter in dark alleys for months on end. simple as that, really. and before i get any comments, i am a civilised human being, with no criminal record etc, pay my taxes and have a 'responsible' job, but i'd still happily lose all of that to defend my son, get some revenge and teach a little scrote a life lesson. shame more people don't, really. personally i think its why society is so crap these days - kids think they are untouchable and act as such.

[sara3]

I'm a 5'4 woman.. and that's not really my style!

does that mean you would or wouldn't put your child through court procedures, without you by their side?

[stonekicker]

sara - i,m 5'3'' and female! i have a gob the size of the mersey tunnel and a temper to go with it, too. i would let my son go to court if that is what HE wanted - i would certainly encourage it. i would be with him as much as i could and as close to his side as possible. i have also taught my son to stand up for himself, challenge injustice and defend the weak, not exploit them (not saying anyone else here hasn't!) i am not making any judgements here, just expressing annoyance that another little sh!t has hurt someone and is likely to get away with it. but, if people don't go to court, offenders will walk away scot free - that is the only certainty here. i wish folly and her son good luck (and you and yours) and a future where they don't have to put up with chavs like this. bring back corporal punishment! and borstals - maybe if there was some kind of deterrent apart from a slap on the wrist or a pretty ankle bracelet for criminal behaviour, there would be less of it. oh - and i have to say if my son did that to someone else, i'd give hime the hiding of his life (he's 6'2''!) and put him in his place, even though i have never touched him in my life. shame more parents don't do that, either. x

[Rollo]

sara3 I fully understand your desire to protect your son. But by doing nothing you are giving his assailant licence to do exactly the same thing again. How is that protecting him?

[Barmaid]

Sara

I think you have been badly advised by the police. As your son is 12 he automatically qualifies for "special measures". At the very least this means screens, but more likely than not evidence by live video link so your son would not even need to be in the court room.

[sara3]

thanks Barmaid, I was obviously given wrong info. I felt they were painting it very black to put us off and to be honest, it worked.