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Original poster

Just been accused of being a person of interest in a malicious communications offence that happened years ago

330 replies

justbeenaccused · 30/09/2023 12:39

I received a letter from the police summoning me to the station of a voluntary interview. I am a person of interest in a malicious comms case that occured in 2019.

Does this mean I am a suspect, or a witness etc.?
How can I find out who reported me ?

OP posts:
Inkpotlover · 30/09/2023 13:07

readbooksdrinktea · 30/09/2023 13:03

Usually means that they don't have enough to charge, or openly say 'suspect', doesn't it? (I'm probably watching too many crime docs!)

It's not great, in any case, and it's not a witness by my understanding. Then they would have said that, I would think,

Show quote history

Yes, it means they suspect OP of a crime but are still gathering evidence. But they clearly feel they have enough to present to her (I'm assuming OP is a woman) in an interview.

BaronessEllarawrosaurus · 30/09/2023 13:07

Met police! No chance would I go in voluntarily.

MrsMoastyToasty · 30/09/2023 13:08

Ring the non emergency number and speak to someone rather than turning up in person at the station.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Crime
Inkpotlover · 30/09/2023 13:09

Just saw your message about your cousin. I bet it is to do with that. Which means it's even more important you get legal advice so your solicitor can advise you on how much to say.

Spookymormonhelldream · 30/09/2023 13:12

Get legal advice. Do not go - let them come and arrest you. The onus is on them to find evidence and question you. Do not say a word that you haven’t run past a good solicitor first.

KandieKaine · 30/09/2023 13:12

They like people to attend voluntarily as they cannot then be accused of unlawful arrest . Don't go . Get legal advice . Then if they come and arrest you are prepared. Don't let them in your house without a warrant.

KandieKaine · 30/09/2023 13:12

RudsyFarmer · 30/09/2023 12:52

Do not turn up without legal representation. Do not admit to anything. Do not accept a caution. Make them prove it. Personally I would No Comment, No Comment. No Comment.

Edited

THIS

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 30/09/2023 13:13

RudsyFarmer · 30/09/2023 12:58

For those criticising for not remembering their whole posting history from four years ago. You can honestly remember everything you posted online in 2019? You understand that all it takes is for one person to decide they don’t like something you said online and declare it to be hateful for some police forces in this country to be interested? Like you don’t have to do much at all.

I had someone screenshot a tweet and delete one word then re-post to imply I'd said the opposite of what I'd said. Then there was the poster who accused me of being a Russian bot. Two reasons I'm not on Twitter/X any more except for uncontroversial things. If you're a prolific poster (and I was) who the heck's going to recall something from 4 years ago?

Wearegoingtoneedabiggerboat · 30/09/2023 13:15

I wouldn’t be able to remember everything I had posted in 2019, but what I would know is that there is nothing I have ever posted that would warrant police interest.

RudsyFarmer · 30/09/2023 13:16

Inkpotlover · 30/09/2023 13:07

Yes, it means they suspect OP of a crime but are still gathering evidence. But they clearly feel they have enough to present to her (I'm assuming OP is a woman) in an interview.

Show quote history

Gathering evidence to use against you. Honestly know this. They are gathering evidence to help build a case against you. Give them nothing.

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 30/09/2023 13:18

Wearegoingtoneedabiggerboat · 30/09/2023 13:15

I wouldn’t be able to remember everything I had posted in 2019, but what I would know is that there is nothing I have ever posted that would warrant police interest.

If you can't remember then there's NO way you can be sure of that. If a woman can be arrested for taking a photo of a sticker then unless you confine yourself to sweet kitty pics there'll be something.

beatrix1234 · 30/09/2023 13:19

justbeenaccused · 30/09/2023 12:49

How do u know I am not a witness in this case? I don't post controversial things on SM...

Show quote history

"malicious communication" sounds like harassment or threats, not necessarily social media related. Have you engaged in that a few years ago OP?

Daftasabroom · 30/09/2023 13:20

Read @MrsDanversGlidesAgain post. That's effectively what the police did when I gave a statement under arrest. If I'd had a lawyer present they never would have tried it on. I was 17 and had never any involvement with the police and haven't since.

Ridemeginger · 30/09/2023 13:20

justbeenaccused · 30/09/2023 12:49

How do u know I am not a witness in this case? I don't post controversial things on SM...

Show quote history

Could you have shared someone else's post?

Hanlonsamazer · 30/09/2023 13:21

Tilllly · 30/09/2023 12:48

Just tell the truth then

If it was on SM, they will have screen shots

The onus is on them to prove your guilt, not on you to prove innocence

Take legal advice on what you say at interview, not advice from MN.

I would also not be taking my phone with me to this appointment.

FictionalCharacter · 30/09/2023 13:21

justbeenaccused · 30/09/2023 12:52

if u don't turn up, they just arrest u

Show quote history

No, not necessarily. They need to have grounds to arrest you. At this stage they’re probably fishing.

itwasdifferentinthe90s · 30/09/2023 13:22

@Tilllly why are you giving such terrible advice ?

Locutus2000 · 30/09/2023 13:22

Voluntary interviews are not really voluntary - it means you have a chance to come in at your own convenience instead of being arrested. You will be cautioned and the conversation will be recorded as evidence.

It certainly looks better further down the line to have not forced the police to arrest you and they prefer it for resource reasons.

This guide is decent.

Behind Closed Doors of a Voluntary Police Interview | Defence Lawyers

Stuart Miller Solicitors' experienced defence team can guide you through the process of voluntary interview and help protect your legal rights

https://www.stuartmillersolicitors.co.uk/voluntary-police-interview-what-happens/

NotMyDayJob · 30/09/2023 13:23

Coincidentally I was a victim of malicious communication in 2019 and I can remember exactly what the person in question said to me. Unfortunately the CPS declined to prosecute even though the police had all the emails and WhatsApp messages because they were from a family member it was deemed not in the public interest because presumably they wouldn't bother doing it to anyone else and it didn't matter because I was family.

I will be honest, that was met police and they were fantastic. Anyway, my point is it's not necessarily social media it can be private messages but if what you are saying is true that's a different matter. You need legal advice OP especially if you need to counter it with your own claim of being the victim of criminal behaviour

FictionalCharacter · 30/09/2023 13:23

RudsyFarmer · 30/09/2023 13:16

Gathering evidence to use against you. Honestly know this. They are gathering evidence to help build a case against you. Give them nothing.

Show quote history

Exactly. Fishing. Hoping she’ll admit something that they don’t already know.

Ascendant15 · 30/09/2023 13:23

Inkpotlover · 30/09/2023 12:48

Person of interest means you are suspected of being involved in a crime, not a witness to one. You haven't been arrested yet and you are being asked to voluntarily attend the interview, so it may be a fishing expedition on the part of the police. Get some legal advice before you go.

This^

Those saying that it doesn't mean you are a suspect are being slightly optimistic- or don't know what it means! A person of interest is generally a step up from "witness" - either suspected to be a potential offender or linked to the offence. It rarely means that you're a witness.

Daftasabroom · 30/09/2023 13:24

Quite, even if you tell the truth, without representation you are at risk of that truth being twisted until they have a case.

beatrix1234 · 30/09/2023 13:24

justbeenaccused · 30/09/2023 13:02

This is only being brought up now bc I accused my cousin of sexual abuse against me and his family have been telling mine that they will report me for something to get back at me as revenge. Shall I tell the police this ?

Show quote history

very possibly. Bring all evidence of that with you. Tell that to the police but consult your lawyer before.