Any Thoughts On The Likely Outcome?

[gazza1975]

I'm wondering if someone with knowledge of the legal system may be able to provide me with the likely outcome to the following situation.

My son (Aged 16, no previous convictions) and another (Aged 16, with twenty two previous convictions) stole mine and my wifes car on Friday night, went off on a joyride, got chased by the police and crashed it into a brick wall and have written it off. My son basically provided the keys and was a passenger in the vehicle. He was arrested and is currently on bail. It is looking very likely that he will be charged with TWOC (taking without owners consent). The other lad has had the book thrown at him.

I'm trying to get some guidance on what the likely sentence will be for my son.

[EDDIE51]

You need a good lawyer on this case. I would say your son was 'lead astray' by the other lad. The lawyer needs to present his case to emphasise this.
If your son pleads guilty I would expect a short community service order.

[ToraToraTora]

he's over 16 disown the little sod! He colludes with a car thief to steal his own parents car! Sounds like a bad un to me. Anyway to answer your question he'll probably get some sort of suspended youth sentence.

[DJHawkes]

I would also worry about your insurance company paying out on this if they take the stance that you left the vehicle vulnerable to theft.

[daisya]

I would hope he gets more than EDDIE has mentioned and even more severe from you and your wife.

[ummmm]

Dot, are they suppose to carry the car keys on them at all times?

Tora, very harsh.

I agree with Eddie, probably community service.

[daffy654]

My nephew did the exact same thing with my mum's (Motability) car several years ago. The lad driving (not my nephew) was given a caution, my nephew got off scot free. This was in the early 90s though and things may have changed a lot since then.

[daisya]

Has to be some deterrent surely and if it comes from the parent then all well and good (meaning it of course). Sadly too many lacking in that department and treating their offspring like "friends". Need harsh discipline at times methinks as it might just prevent the problems.

[FredPuli43]

It won't be custodial for your boy. So you can stop worrying ! Well,it's been worry enough already, hasn't it?

[ummmm]

Oh I'd punish him alright but I wouldn't disown him for what might be a one off.

He's not the first teenager to do something so utterly stupid and he won't be the last but it doesn't mean he's heading down the path of becoming a career criminal. Hopefully he will learn by this mistake.

[daffy654]

As I said, my nephew did the exact same thing, he never committed another crime and has been a fine and upstanding member of the Paratroop regiment for several years now.

[RATTER15]

ToraToraTora, Im so glad I was not brought up by people like you as my parents!! Its times like this when your children need help and guidance, not get kicked out and disowned! that's how kids end up living rough on the streets.

Gazza, I think maybe probation, community service, nothing to serious.

[DaisyNonna]

Ratter, nothing too serious. Community service, probation. This should be serious or what is the point of it?

[jim360]

Sometimes kicking a child out can be the best thing for them, more often than not it isn't. Getting kicked out of the house worked for a cousin of mine, though I don't really know much of the circumstances and don't plan to ask.

Sorry to hear that this happened to you and your family.

[ToraToraTora]

I don't know why my prevous answer was removed ratter but I did respond and it was not rude or angry. I must admit to being a little confused by the censorship as I don't think it was offensive in any way. I just wanted you to know that I did respond to your point it's just that the editor clearly didn't want my response included in this thread.

[RATTER15]

DaisyNonna, I said "Nothing too serious", meaning he is unlikely to go to prison, please don't read anything else into it.

[DJHawkes]

"Dot, are they suppose[d] to carry the car keys on them at all times? "

mine are always in my handbag out of plain sight. I would imagine in future they will be keeping their car keys quite close.

[Georgebest72013]

Iwould have thought fine and maybe community serevice and points on his licence a worst for a first offence

[EDDIE51]

Georgebest he is only 16 no licence yet