Any legal experts in the house?

[FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast]

hi it is about my son who is 19.

About 6 weeks ago he was arrested in South Wales for fare jumping and then hitting a railway employee.
If you want to tell me what a shit parent I must be, please hold off, because I already know that.
That night I spoke to the arresting officer, confirmed that I was on my way to get him, and that he could use my address, although he doesn't live with me.
After that we heard nothing.
I went to see my son in London a couple of weeks ago, and he asked if any post for him had arrived, and that if it did, I was to open it.
Well it arrived this morning, summoning him to appear on the 14th of August. The letter was postmarked the 16th.
What situation does this leave him in?
I cannot phone him , as he doesn't have a phone, normally he phones me, or in an emergency I can phone his "boss" who would give him a message
STupid stupid me has lost my phone. I have to go to London to put this in his hand.

I have tried to phone a friendly solicitor that we know (don't ask why) but his number goes straight to answer. He is probably in court.

Can anyone tell me what legal position this leaves my son in?

Thank you yes I did, in a park on the South Bank. He did not seem to grasp the gravity of what I was showing him.
However he was supposed to come where I am staying last night and didn't show up which isn't like him.
I have to leave London in a few hours so am just waiting for him to phone me. Not thinking about police cells or hospitals no not at all.

..as I was advised that the best thing he could do would be to present himself at Newport Magistrates court, with the paperwork, I offered to buy him a National Express ticket to get there on Monday. But he said 'man don't travel national express'.

oh and I bought him and his friend dinner in a top greasy spoon at the Elephant.

You can't do more, OP...

Thank you Dolores..x

I just hope he shows up today. It is really not like him to not show, but then there is a warrant out for his arrest, so who knows...

Have booked the Megabus that leaves Victoria at 5pm therefore buying a few more hours. Now just drinking coffee and enjoying having a London flat to chill in on a Sunday, even if it is full of paintpots, and trying not to worry. too much. It is still early.

He is going all around London a little folding bike with a homemade trailer box saying 'peace and love' on it...
you do worry.

God what a worry for you. You've done your bit

He is going all around London a little folding bike with a homemade trailer box saying 'peace and love' on it...
If I see him, I'll tell him to ring his mum

" If I see him, I'll tell him to ring his mum " thanks Dolores I think I love you

and thank you for the flowers, jam, x

FourFriedChicken Just want to wish you luck with your son's situation. You've done so much to help him find his way out of this mess; it's so tough when they're growing up & begin making their own way in the world; I'm sure your love will shine through to him.
💐

Does he have health problems FriedChickens? I wonder if it would be worth you speaking to one of the homeless charities, they'll have experience of situations like this. If nothing more they can be a friendly listening ear for you.

When he does eventually turn up for court, be prepared that they may remand him in custody due to his lack of address. If he's not staying with you then don't let him use your address again, it's not fair to put you through this distress.

I don't think you're a bad mum at all. It's a horrid situation for you.

centrepoint.org.uk/youth-homelessness/get-help-now/

Give Centrepoint a call tomorrow. They'll do what they can to help.

thanks Bombardier, he has been thro' St Mungo's already and lived in a homeless shelter then got a place at the YMCA in Romford. But he hated it, and lost the place.
You are right, they would remand him in custody.
As for health problems, well there is a weed addiction thing going on yes.

hooray he phoned me and is going to meet me in an hour at Newington Green.

Thanks for the update OP. Hope all works out okay

Good luck, OP, to you and your son - hope you manage to get it all sorted tomorrow: your lad is fortunate to have such a capable, loving mum

Great!

thank you everyone.
We met at 'Newie G' as he calls it, and spent some time together in the park. Persuaded him to take the paperwork, with the friendly solicitor's number written on it, which he secreted within his bike. Bought him some food.
Then I had to go, so I got on the 73 and he raced it to Kings Cross..:) then we said goodbye (sideways hug, people), as I had to take the tube to Victoria and get the megabus.
He refused to let me book a ticket to Newport but wanted the money. So I said no..:(

Newie G... I'm going to use that now so that I sound really up to date. (It might balance out the optics, since I look like a small-town librarian. And not one of those fashionable, edgy small-town librarians, either.)

You're my role model for not giving him the money for the fare to Newport. That must have been hard. I love the idea of him racing the bus to KX. That's a boy that loves his mum, no matter how off-piste he may be at the moment.

Are you serious?

‘Man don’t travel National express’.

No, but stupid, irresponsible BOY wanted by the police tucking well does if he wants any help to avoid a prison sentence.

You wasted all that time and money and he’s an ungrateful, selfish twat. I suggest you stop traipsing around the country sorting life out for ‘man’ because he doesn’t seem to be bothered.

it had crossed my mind Annie..:)

You are a good mother.

If he doesn’t turn up he can present to any Police Officer and they’ll arrest him and either rebail or keep him in custody and transfer over to Newport. Good luck not sure there is anything you haven’t already done for him left to do. You’ve more than done your bit.

He should turn up at court asap at 9. With his letter proving he didn't have enough notice. The duty solicitor will advise him. He can show court the letter and have the matter dealt with. Its very unlikely that he will go to prison for this. He can call the police who can confirm that a warrant has been issued but if be hands himself into the police he risks a night in the cells befire being brought to court the next morning. I deal with this stuff daily.