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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Being a witness

42 replies

SofaKingFedUp · 12/02/2019 12:15

This probably doesn't belong here, sorry but I just want to know if anyone has any information?

I'm due in court today as a witness. One of my neighbours threatened me and my mum and so he was arrested. We have be called as witnesses (didn't actually think it would go this far as he's threatened us before and nothing was done, he has mental health issues)
In the original letter we were told we had to be there at 9:45am and wait around basically. But we called up because I cant find a babysitter on that day and were told that we didn't need to go at 9:45, but they would call us when needed. I was wondering if anyone knows if we will be given a few hours notice to get there? As it's after 12 and still nothing. We called up to ask if they knew a time but were told the papers were in court already so wouldn't be able to give a rough time.
Now I'm panicking, what if someone forgot to write in the notes that they were to call us? Will it be a case of they ring and say you need to get here asap?
My daughter usually has a swimming lesson today at 2, and she really enjoys it do I just take her if they haven't called by then?

OP posts:

Iruka · 12/02/2019 12:18

I wouldn't go out swimming. Is there a case officer you can call? There should be witness support at the court too who can help

LostInShoebiz · 12/02/2019 12:18

Do you want this trial to fail and him to get off Scot free? Surely she can miss a week of swimming in the interests of justice being administered?

LostInShoebiz · 12/02/2019 12:19

And of course thousands of pounds of public money not being spunked up the wall...

GruciusMalfoy · 12/02/2019 12:23

Your daughter will have to miss a swimming lesson. Is there literally no one you can ask? Who is going to mind your child if they call you in?

GreenTulips · 12/02/2019 12:26

Why can’t you have baby when Mum is a witness then swap? You can’t hear the others evidence.

Madness - he’ll be let off if you don’t go

Original poster

SofaKingFedUp · 12/02/2019 12:28

@LostInShoebiz the lesson is only 30 mins long and surely they have to give some sort of notice, I could be from the swimming centre to the court in 45 mins. I am back at work and Today and Thursday are the only days I get to take my daughter out. I didn't ask to be a witness, the police took a statement because I was there at the time and didn't even tell us that he was going to court. We only found out through a letter that had been delivered saying he had pleaded not guilty.

There is no one. I am a single mum my LO'S dad lives abroad, my mum is my only babysitter my stepdad is at work until 5 and wouldn't take the day off.

Ok just I feel bad already being back at work and I enjoy taking her swimming, plus I hate being stuck in the house

OP posts:

Original poster

SofaKingFedUp · 12/02/2019 12:28

@GreenTulips that's what is going to happen but we both need to be at the court at the same time just not in the room at the same time

OP posts:

Lexilooo · 12/02/2019 12:29

Are you sure you have understood properly? It seems unusual that they would phone you to go in. Are you sure they didn't mean you can sit in a waiting area until needed?

PinkHeart5914 · 12/02/2019 12:30

Presumably you reported this crime? That took up very valuable police time and now it’s in court and you want to go to a swimming lesson as it’s inconvenient?

If as a witness you just don’t bother to turn up becuase you are swimming, the defendant will most likely get away with it yet your still moan next time it happens no doubt....

No you can’t go swimming, this weeks swimming lesson will have to be missed.

Coronapop · 12/02/2019 12:30

Knowing the inefficiencies of the CPS/courts in your position I would either go to the court or phone and ask to speak to someone about whether the case is listed for today.

Toddlerteaplease · 12/02/2019 12:31

Seriously? Your daughters swimming lesson comes before getting justice for your mum?

Holidayshopping · 12/02/2019 12:31

I would probably be waiting at the court rooms now tbh. I’d worry they would forget. Can you ring them?

Thehop · 12/02/2019 12:33

There’s been a misunderstanding

They want you there at start of day and you are “called” from a waiting area.

Original poster

SofaKingFedUp · 12/02/2019 12:34

Also i just wanted to know if they will give notice.
I suffer from anxiety and PND which I'm gettin therapy for and so I'm on a mess the last few days as I really hate the idea of going to court. I don't know why

OP posts:

Seniorschoolmum · 12/02/2019 12:34

Op, typically, there is a waiting area where you, your mum and your lo can sit. When you are called, leave lo with your mum. When you have finished return to the waiting area and take your lo while you mum is in the witness box.

Magistrates can take a very dim view of witnesses not turning up. It can be held as contempt so probably not a good idea.

Original poster

SofaKingFedUp · 12/02/2019 12:36

@Toddlerteaplease I'm not saying that at all, I was asking that if they haven't called, can I still take her as the lesson is only 30 mins and near to the court anyway. I hate sitting around and it's making me more anxious.

They definitley told us we don't need to go there @Thehop they said they will call us to go because me daughter gets irritable and bored easy.
We have phoned but told we just have to wait for a phonecall

OP posts:

LilaJude · 12/02/2019 12:37

Has someone from the Court specifically said you don’t need to be there yet? Because it’s unusual for a witness to be phoned and told to come in. Usually you have to wait at the Court and then you are ‘called’ from the witness room to give your evidence.

Did someone specifically say it was ok for you not to be there? If so, I still wouldn’t go swimming just in case you need to be ready to go in.

Original poster

SofaKingFedUp · 12/02/2019 12:37

@Seniorschoolmum I understand, i definitley wouldn't not show up. I just don't know if they give you an hours notice or something?

OP posts:

LilaJude · 12/02/2019 12:38

Sorry, cross post!

Original poster

SofaKingFedUp · 12/02/2019 12:39

@LilaJude yes even called again about 2 mins ago just to confirm because a PP has made me panic incase I got it wrong. They've now said we might not even need to be there if he changes his plea today

OP posts:

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 12/02/2019 12:40

Sounds very unusual. Maybe call the court and see if they have a witness care department who can clarify what’s going on?

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 12/02/2019 12:41

Cross posted.

Plenty of Defendants don’t bother pleading guilty until the day of trial because they wait to see if the witnesses turn up. I really don’t understand what’s happening in this case. Yanbu to follow the instructions you’ve been given though.

Original poster

SofaKingFedUp · 12/02/2019 12:44

@PinkHeart5914 no, I was here when it happened, the police asked me to confirm and I gave the little information that I knew as it happened pretty much outside. But also this guy knew I was in the house so used my name in the threat.
I did not waste time. And no I won't moan if it happens again and no I'm not saying this is an inconvenience, I was asking if they haven't called by say 1:30, would I still be able to take her swimming as it's only 30 mins lessob and not far from the court.
I don't like to get involved because of things like this and I didn't realise I would have been called as a witness for the little information I gave, just because I was here aT the house.
Sorry if it came across as wasting time or calling it an inconvenience, because I wasn't at all. I just don't know how this works as never been through this before

OP posts:

Iruka · 12/02/2019 12:48

Plenty of people change their plea on the day. I have to to court a lot for my job and the amount of time I have wasted sitting around just to be sent home again is ridiculous.

If the case is due for the afternoon they should make a decision about your testimony early afternoon

GruciusMalfoy · 12/02/2019 12:50

I've been a witness in an assault case before OP. You can hope he changes his plea at the last minute (this happened in the case I saw). But it would be mad to try and get a child out of a swimming lesson and to a court in that time should you be called up. You'd also increase your stress levels in the rush. It's one week, and the case takes priority.

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