childs interview at police station

[nailit]

Asking this on behalf of a friend.
My friends have recieved a letter asking them to attend an interview, with their 15yr old son, at a local police station on Monday. Apparently his name was given to the police by someone who 'recognised' him as someone who was throwing stones at cars. He vehemently denies that he has ever done such a thing. The letter recieved has stated that if his parents fail to attend the interview that action will be taken (his parents are most definitley attending to sort it out) The letter states that other agencies may be present at the interview but doesnt state who. The whole tone of the letter is that he is already guilty and slightly threatening. He has never been in any trouble before and is very upset over it.
my questions are,
1/ what should he expect at the interview?
2/ are the police likley to try to get him to accept a caution even though he's adamant that he's done no wrong?
3/what will the police do if he continues to deny any involvment?
4/who are these 'other' agencies?
5/would it be wise to attend the interview without a solicitor as he hasnt officialy been charged with anything?

Many thanks for any replies.

[EDDIE51]

Yes, as Tonywiltshire has said there are Police station duty solicitors they are free if you are on a low income. Insist on the duty solicitor being present before you say anything . Phone the police now and and tell them you require the duty solicitor to be present so they can arrange it.
The duty solicitors are not connected with the police they are there to put your side , you will need to see the solicitor before talking to the police , this is normally done by the solicitor talking to you at the police station before the police have their say, the solicitor will stay with you for the interview.

[cathfromsaron]

i would listen and stay calm. if he wasn't the one they want and the allegations, therefore, are malicious and the police need to know that from calm, concerned parents.

[tonywiltshire]

Yes, if he is not arrested he is free to leave at any time he wishes, even if he is arrested and bailed he may not be charged. If the matter does go to court it will be for the court to decide upon the evidence given who is telling the truth.

[nailit]

Thank you very much to all who replied here. All posts have been passed on to the lads parents who are very grateful to you all, as is the lad himself . This afternoon they have rang up a local solicitors (out of hours number) and have arranged a solicitor to meet them at the station.
Thanks again guys, very much appriciated.

[sinderella]

Hi Nailit
They never had a solicitor but wished they had.its not going to be a nice experience.very best of luck to them

[exdc]

Hi nailit

Basically, if a witness states they saw (A) throw a stone which damaged a car and (A) denies doing so then there is a dispute in identification and the investigation must seek to test the credibility of the witness by various methods provided in law whether consenual or non-consenual. Therefore, your friends son is likely to be asked and presented on an ID procedure (nothing to worry about, 99% of police forces use video imaging etc).

[MartinBev58]

The child must not admit guilt if it is he did not throw any stones at the cars.
I had a friend at school and he was accused of doing the same thing and 6 people said they saw him including 2 police officers.
Lucky for him at the time he had a stamp in his passport saying he was in Germany. He was visiting friends and 2 of them were police officers in the German Police.
To top the lot at the time of the offence he was on a tour of a German Police station which had been arranged by his friends and he was on camara.
The case never went to court but I am not sure what would have happened with strong evidence both ways.

Martin

[nailit]

sinderella, The lads parents are a bit relieved now that they've managed to get a solicitor to attend with them.
exdc, the idea of an I.D procedure is a bit worrying as whoever reported him already knows him anyway (he gave his name to the police in the first place)
MartinBev, thats one hell of an alibi, lol.
I will let you all know whats happened later on when they get back from the station tonight.
Thanks guys.

[Johnblor]

Hi Martin / Nailit

I think Martin's alibi is the best one.
I had a relative who was interviewed by the police many years ago in relation to a murder.
His alibi was he was on camara in Edinburgh at 2.45 that day and the murder happened between 2 and 4pm in London.
He did have the same type of car and the same colour as the murderer escaped in and my relative's permanent address was in Bedford about 50 miles north of London.
To add to the suspicion of the police he purchased 2 new tyres for the car in Edinburgh partly because they were cheaper and he had an hour to spare to get them changed.
This proves camara's can be good for people wrongly accused of offences as well as for catching criminals.
Of course DNA evidence may have helped my relative today.

John