Can you withdraw a police statement?

[courtquery]

I’m due in court soon and feel sick over it. Basically can’t face being cross examined and quizzed and even going into the court. I’ve been having panic attacks and had to go on medication
it’s way too outing but I’m one of a long list and not a main victim so it shouldn’t affect any court decision

Well done. An hour in the witness box is a lot. I hope you feel ok after it all - look after yourself!

So do I. It will be hard, but it is how we try as a country to get to justice.

Oh, well done.

I am, it wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I thought
even the police commented how lovely the judge was. Unfortunately there are more victims now coming forward on top of the ones he has been found guilty for so it’s in double figures

Well done OP. Its the collective strength of you and the other victims that have contributed to the verdict. I hope it gives you some degree of closure too. Be kind to yourself this evening 😊

Good to hear op. Hopefully someone going through similar will see your remark that is wasn’t as bad as you feared.

im a witness in a case currently though i expect it to be settled before court as the evidence is so damming!

Well done OP. It's daunting, but not only did you get justice for yourself, but you did a service to society too.

But you have so helped this case. Hope you are OK?

It was in this case too but still… wouldn’t plead guilty

for anyone in future. I got to court and was let through a metal detector and searched with a wand. Don’t take perfume as they had to keep hold of it (glass bottle!)
i was taken up to witness services by one of the security staff, then given a copy of my statement to read and introduced to witness services

the prosecution barrister came to see me and the other witnesses and talked through his defence, showed us a model of the court and explained who was sitting where. We could ask for water and hot drinks and there were toilets, if we wanted to go outside we went with security through a separate door

we could leave for lunch again through the separate door

I was met by the judge outside the courtroom (witness staff walked me down) who had a chat with me and then I was taken in through the judges door to a cleared courtroom and sat behind screens in the witness box (jury, judge and barristers could see me, gallery and the defendant couldn’t)

gave my evidence after the oath, cross examined and then taken back out the witness box after the court was cleared again and was allowed to go home

Thank you for sharing your experience. Whilst we all hope not to need it, I'm sure it will help someone else who has to be a witness.

Well done @courtquery I am glad you went through with it and it wasn't as bad as you thought it would be.
Also thank you for walking us through what happened on the day , I am sure it will help others.

Well done for going through with what must have been scary and daunting. Sounds like you did a v good thing for society.

So proud of you @courtquery

I hope you can use this experience to remind yourself just how strong you are and that no one gets to take away your power or shine.

By speaking up you have helped put this horrid man behind bars and you’ve encouraged other victims to speak up.

Your best revenge is a life well lived. Go out there and do what you want to do and be happy. This awful thing that has happened to you doesn’t get to consume your life and shadow everything in it.

💐