DD12 was out for a walk last summer and witnessed a crime, not mass murder but scary enough that the victim’s legal team did originally try to go for attempted murder, this has now been dropped to common assault.
Obviously it was quite traumatising for DD at the time but she had video’d part and explained the situation, crime well when the police came round to take some details and we were told that she might be called to give evidence.
I’d actually forgot all about it until I got a phone call last week to say that the hearing was today and if the perpetrator pleaded NG it would be going to trial and DD would definitely have to go to court, which is exactly what’s happened and a court date has now been set.
I have absolutely no experience in this and until I got the email today from the the whiteness protection team presumed that this would either all blow over and even if DD was called giving evidence would be voluntary and not mandatory but it seems not.
They have said because of her age there are procedures they can put in place, screens have been mentioned and live video links but they haven’t given me any reassurance to my biggest worry (even though I’ve mentioned it about 4 times to different people) that where we live is not where we are from and her accent is very distinctive and would stick out like a sore thumb.
(Think northern Irish accent in Birmingham type of contrast)
DD doesn’t know either the victim or person that committed the crime so I’m not worried about her being recognised so to speak but I do have concern that it would make it easier if someone wanted to find her.
I think now that I feel the decision to allow my daughter to be a witness has been taken out of my hands, that a court date has now been sent that no one is really taking my concerns even though they are probably based on watching far too many BBC crime dramas seriously is making me feel a bit sick.
Is anyone able to reassure, give advice or have found theirselves of loved ones in a similar situation?