Found out through local news

[bn02]

Had a similar thread this week when I was trying to find out a court date.

My partner and I both had to press charges against my ex for criminal damage, harassment etc - he's made our life difficult for months.

I've rang up several times this week to try and find out when he's appearing in court as we're still really on edge and want to be kept in the loop. We were told they can't tell us for data protection.

I then had a message off the officer dealing with it saying he'd been in court the day before, didn't know the outcome but would let me know that night - didn't hear anything.

And then we've woke up this morning to see the first thing pop up on Facebook being the news article about him being in court and how he's denied certain charges etc. We still haven't heard anything.

AIBU to feel angry that we've had to hear on Facebook after trying to chase it multiple times? Should we not be kept in the loop especially when it's someone who's a threat to us?

Sorry to hear this.
You should have been allocated a victim support worker. The officer in case is not responsible for updating you on the crime once it's gone to court, that is victim support or the courts themselves.
I would suggest googling your force's victim support and giving them a call.
As it was domestic related I'm very surprised you haven't heard anything from them yet.

Yanbu. This is poor practice.

I'm surprised that you weren't called to give evidence against this person. If the trial has gone ahead then you aren't being called as witnesses.

It wouldn't be Victim Support who would contact you but your local Witness Care Unit with an officer attached to your case.

You have every right to know about when someone is appearing in court as it's a matter of public record. There are very few instances where it's not a public trial (youth, certain gang crimes) etc. When I was in an accident, I asked if I could go to the trial (on a separate matter related indirectly to my case). I was told I couldn't as it would be a closed court and they couldn't tell me because of the then DPA. I work in the courts so told them this was nonsense. Sometimes people just tell you whatever they can to make their lives easier.

It’s fairly common I’m afraid and I really don’t know why. I found out my abusive ex was released from prison via FB. I didn’t receive a call from my investigating officer until 2 days after. Abusive ex was living 4 roads away from me

If you're in the U.K. YOU didn't "press charges" either the CPS or PF did, they're not obligated to tell you anything about the case.

Sorry you're going through this but it's the same for everyone.

If it was his first appearance then you won't need to attend, as he is denying charges you may be called in the future.

The OIC may not have gone to court for a first instance hearing.....he/she has a mountain of cases to work through and is likely onto the next.