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Original poster

Police asking for an apology from ds

261 replies

Driventodistraction0 · 03/07/2023 14:24

DS (17) got into a scuffle at the weekend with a friend. Each hit each other once, no physical harm done. It was a stupid argument over a girl and we’ve said how disappointed we are and emphasised what harm for both of them it could have led to. He is feeling really bad about it, he has been really struggling with his mental health anyway. He has apologised to the friend and friend has accepted. The police rang last night and said they wanted to speak to DS (they were at the scene when it happened). The police have said that he will not be cautioned but that they want him to sign an apology. They said this apology would be seen on future enhanced CRB checks. He wants to train as a teacher so I’m gutted this is the case. We’re all for the police coming to talk to him but this is the first time he has ever been in any trouble ever. I’ve tried to Google how long this would stay on a crb but can’t find anything.

OP posts:
LauraNicolaides · 03/07/2023 15:18

lifeturnsonadime · 03/07/2023 14:50

On an enhanced DBS, required for teaching posts, all conviction and none conviction information will show.

It will prejudice your DS's sons chances in education if he signs it.

I am not clear what they will do if he refuses?

If he doesn't sign it then the police could pass the file to the CPS for prosecution. That's the fall-back position. The police would much rather save themselves a lot of hassle by using community resolution or cautions to "solve" crime.

The chances of the police passing it on to the CPS, the CPS prosecuting it and the court convicting all depend on the evidence. Proper legal advice needed on that. But quite possibly very low.

matthancocksboxers · 03/07/2023 15:45

Are they asking both boys to sign an apology as you said they both hit each other once, or just DS as I presume he hit first otherwise? Either way, I agree with others. Get legal advice and don't let him sign anything.

Felix125 · 03/07/2023 16:03

You need to find out what it is for. Is it an assault or a public order offence?

If its an assault and both do not wish to pursue the matter - it will be NFA'd as neither support a prosecution. If its a public order incident then there may be other evidence which supports this offence - other witness statements, CCTV etc.

As others have said - seek advice. But its probably either sign the apology or receive a PND ticket or summons to court.

Fupoffyagrasshole · 03/07/2023 16:27

god no dont sign anything without proper advice

Oblomov23 · 03/07/2023 17:27

I'd sign nothing. Get some advice.

greyhairnomore · 03/07/2023 17:54

Sign nothing and refuse a caution.

Lucyintheskywithadiamond · 03/07/2023 18:24

LakeTiticaca · 03/07/2023 14:42

Has his friend also been asked to make an apology?
Have the police nothing better to attend to than 2 lads having a minor fall out?

I would not say 2 young men fighting in the street is minor, the police should have been called to handle it.

I would seek legal advice first but I would also saying assault does warrant a sanction.

Vitriolinsanity · 03/07/2023 18:40

It will prejudice your DS's sons chances in education if he signs it.

He shouldn't sign it without legal advice, but it's wrong to say it would preclude a role in education.

He will have an awkward discussion with HR and the HT, but if schools rejected every teacher without giving consideration we'd be in an even bigger recruiting pickle than we are in.

Prescottdanni123 · 03/07/2023 18:40

@Lucyintheskywithadiamond

If it really was just a case of each hitting the other once, it is hardly a vicious brawl is it? Meanwhile, someone reported a robbery involving an assault that was happening at that very moment to a policeman sat in a car just around the corner and the policeman refused to go and deal with it. And yet they have time to fanny about with this?

GoodChat · 03/07/2023 18:42

Tell him not to sign it. He's not getting cautioned so there's no reason for him to sign anything.

maddiemookins16mum · 03/07/2023 18:49

It does frustrate me that some people are downplaying this as two lads just having a little tiff, even the Op describes it as a scuffle (yet the Police were involved). Boys will be boys eh.

Lucyintheskywithadiamond · 03/07/2023 18:56

Prescottdanni123 · 03/07/2023 18:40

@Lucyintheskywithadiamond

If it really was just a case of each hitting the other once, it is hardly a vicious brawl is it? Meanwhile, someone reported a robbery involving an assault that was happening at that very moment to a policeman sat in a car just around the corner and the policeman refused to go and deal with it. And yet they have time to fanny about with this?

I don’t know what you are referring to regarding a robbery around the corner the fight so I cannot comment and I don’t really care.

My point is fighting in the street and assault is worthy of a police sanction. If I got smacked in the face by a 17 year old I would expect consequences regardless of their career ambitions.

Ywudu · 03/07/2023 18:57

Agree with previous poster, if the police are dealing with it as assault then refuse and your son and the other boy withdraw any complaints. If its public order, then get some advice.

AromanticSpices · 03/07/2023 19:02

Not trying to be dramatic, but I have encountered an awful case where a man was paralysed from one punch. Do please make sure your son and his friends understand that this can happen, even if not intended.

Ponderingwindow · 03/07/2023 19:05

Hire a solicitor. Not to shield your son from the consequences of his actions, but to make sure that he makes no missteps in navigating the legal system.

Caravanvirgin · 03/07/2023 19:08

Don’t sign it. Get legal advice. Don’t let your son talk to the police without a solicitor with him.

When I was training the teacher we had one lecture by the union who repeatedly said don’t accept a caution. This is very similar.

Prescottdanni123 · 03/07/2023 19:10

@Lucyintheskywithadiamond

It was a disagreement between two teenagers who have since apologised to each other.

The story about the shop robbery was on the news this morning.

daytriptovulcan · 03/07/2023 19:15

Consider getting legal advce on this, before you proceed.

Mumsnut · 03/07/2023 19:15

OP, I would post I. legal if I were you

Thelittleweasel · 03/07/2023 19:37

@Driventodistraction0

Please take advice. I would guess that if "you" resist resolution the police may proceed to further measures such as a caution which will certainly show on a DBS check. The sad thing is that a "minor" slip such as this can have such serious consequences.

NerrSnerr · 03/07/2023 19:43

He needs to find out what may happen if he doesn't sign it (if he's old enough to be going around getting into fights he's old enough to ask them himself).

These 'scuffles' need to be dealt with or they'll turn into arsehole men who go around getting into fights when things don't quite go their way.

Hoppingmad231 · 03/07/2023 19:46

My 21st I got arrested for fighting with a friend spent night in a cell and got a fine, never shown up on any off my cbr checks.

Booktok · 03/07/2023 19:47

Yep please make sure your son knows people have died from a single punch

Gytgyt · 03/07/2023 19:49

Eckyftang · 03/07/2023 14:56

If its equivalent to a caution. It becomes "spent" after 10 years and will not show up on enhanced background checks.

Nothing is ever "spent" on a CRB I remember hearing this tale in college. A CRB is like your medical documents nothing is ever wiped off. If an organisation requested a enhanced CRB check everything would show up. Seek legal advise I think it sounds harsh to be honest.

CalistoNoSolo · 03/07/2023 20:02

How were the police even involved in this minor teenage 'scuffle'? It's either far worse than you're portraying, or the police are massively overstepping. Tbh, with how the UK police are currently performing, I wouldn't trust a thing they say so yes, get some legal advice and tell your son to sign nothing until you have.