domestic

[reception]

My son met a polish girl and fell in love with her he moved her in his flat as she had no where to live, she arrived in UK witha job or money, as a family we all helped her obtain a home address so that she could get a job and a bank account, they were happy together until she cheated on him with her boss. he found out and asked her to leave by now 3 months in to the realtionship she had saved enough money to find somewhere to live - tneverthe less as a mother I found her a rented flat to stay in and gave her about �200 pounds. my son's heart was broken but he tried to carry on she was his first girfriend, couple weeks down the line she went to the police and claimed he slapped her and abused her on her mobile phone. he ws arressted and released on bail pending investigation. he did not hit her but swore on her phone. police want to see him to tell him what he is being charged with. can you help me please. I am worried sick. she took everything away from him ....what will happen he was arrested for ABH and harressement. he did not do any of this, he is only 24 and a graduate who got mixed up with some polish gril looking for some money.

[Stu Dent]

Then he should plead not guilty. The crown will have to prove their case and from what you say, there is little evidence to support the allegation of assault. By it's definition, harassment suggests repeated behaviour. One phone call does not constitute harassment. Swearing on the telephone does constitute an offence but I'd be surprised if that isolated incident would interest the CPS since, it does not appear to be in the public interest to pursue a prosecution.

Then again, you're a mother. And mother's have a tendency to steadfastly support their boys. Are you sure you have all the facts?

The Polish girl may not be a particularly nice person but she has done nothing wrong legally. The police must have some evidence that your son assaulted this girl and that the phone calls (after the separation) have been offensive and repeatedly so. Otherwise there is no point submitting a report to the CPS that is doomed to fail. Because without evidence it certainly is.

[Stu Dent]

He should plead not guilty - if of course it ever gets near a court. Like i said, if the evidence is there he'll be charged and a report will be submitted to the CPS. But the police will only charge your son if there is a reasonable chance of a successful prosecution. Likewise the CPS will only proceed towards Court if they too are satisfied there is sufficient evidence to secure a conviction.

The status of the parties' (Polish immigrant money grabber v. jilted graduate) will have no relevance on how the police or CPS proceed. The sufficency and admissibility of evidence will be central to how this allegation develops.