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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

My brother’s court case in Scotland

96 replies

Saladmakesmesad · 21/04/2020 12:49

Posting for traffic. V difficult situation so please be kind. 😢

My brother has been charged with a very serious crime in Scotland. Arrested in July last year. My family are trying to hush it all up and minimise it. I found out from regularly checking the court rolls that he appeared in court yesterday. As I understand it, this will have been to finalise the charges following the investigation. He will have pleaded guilty and I think there will be another hearing now for sentencing.

My question is - how do I find out what he’s been charged with exactly and what he is sentenced to? Remember that it’s Scotland so different to England (where I am). It hasn’t hit the press as far as I can find out, but might.

Thanks for any help. Sorry if I sound cold, I’m very distressed and trying to get facts so I can move forward.

OP posts:
millymaple · 21/04/2020 14:36

I do not understand some of you. You would want to know too. Stop being so mean.

Winterwoollies · 21/04/2020 14:41

All you have to do is phone the court and ask. It’s all public information. They may be too busy to help you there and then but if it’s a big court, there will be someone who can talk to you. The judicial process is public, they can’t and won’t withhold that information.

Jayfeem · 21/04/2020 14:46

Aside from sitting in the galleries (which given your location I appreciate isn’t doable) you’ll struggle unless it’s picked up by court reporters and the media are interested.

They will not directly release sentencing/conviction info unless they have a very good reason to (e.g. outcome affects other legal proceedings).

Information regarding charges/convictions is considered sensitive private data - which I appreciate is at odds of being able to sit in the gallery and watch/papers reporting on it.

It is unlikely to be successful, but if you feel you have a good reason you could call up and chance it.

FairfaxAikman · 21/04/2020 15:04

Information regarding charges/convictions is considered sensitive private data

It's not. If it was private data journalists wouldn't have access to any of it as data protection laws would come into play.

Jayfeem · 21/04/2020 15:17

Yes I covered that. Media (generally) permitted to access members of the public generally not permitted to access unless can satisfy schedule 2 DPA.

Elieza · 21/04/2020 15:18

Google his name and street.

If he’s been in the papers it could well be there as they can print his address (unbelievable I know, families get attacked through this kind of thing by mobs taking out their hatred of criminals on innocent family members who happen to stay at the same address).

Eg “Mr Joseph Bloggs of 27 Main Street Glasgow was today in court charged with online offences” etc.

Or buy the Digger rag if his crime was committed in or he stays in Glasgow.

I’d keep looking on the court rolls online to see when it appears next and get up there and sit in the public seating area and see what they say/he says. He can’t stop you. He probably won’t notice you’re there. If he does you can tell him you are either there to support him or the truth, you’re there to find out what’s going on as you are worried. You’d need to be there for hours potentially

FairfaxAikman · 21/04/2020 15:25

There's a very sound reasoning behind publishing general addresses (most wouldn't publish the house number) - it's to prevent Mr Joe Bloggs of Main Street being accused of the crimes of Joe Bloggs of High Street. Ie it's to clarify to the public who the accused/guilty party is.

FairfaxAikman · 21/04/2020 15:26

That aside the vast majority of people have their names on the electoral rolls, which are public, so it's not like journalists are publishing private information in that regard.

Sallycinammonbangsthedruminthe · 21/04/2020 15:38

Google ..families outside ...it may help you OP .

Winterwoollies · 21/04/2020 15:45

Listen to @FairfaxAikman OP, they are correct.

It is public information. But you may have to find a friendly clerk to take the time to dig it out for you. Better still, go down there. On very few occasions courts are not held in public, generally when the information in the trial could be sensitive to national security.

imamum21 · 21/04/2020 15:50

you can call the court to ask, i did when my brother in law's brother was up in court, all you need is to call the court he attended and give his name and date of birth. he held up a shop at knife point and also stabbed someone (long complicated story, we just wanted to check he was going to be locked up for a while)

im in scotland if it helps

Hunnybears · 21/04/2020 15:51

Could you not phone the court etc and ask what it was for and explain that if for example it was involving children then you’d need to know to protect your child. So it would be in your interest to know this, for safety issues.

If it was taking drugs for example well then that won’t affect you.

notapizzaeater · 21/04/2020 15:56

I'd try the court first tbh. Presume you've googled his name etc ? Have you checked the local newspapers Facebook page ?

Original poster
Saladmakesmesad · 21/04/2020 16:16

I’ve googled. I should phone the court I’m just scared for some reason! 😪

OP posts:
Elieza · 21/04/2020 16:38

It might not be as bad as you think.
Make that call. Flowers

Bringringbring12 · 21/04/2020 16:41

Very serious
Charged and you have a date
Research local papers

Original poster
Saladmakesmesad · 21/04/2020 16:53

@imamum21 Thank you for sharing, that’s really helpful.

OP posts:
Original poster
Saladmakesmesad · 21/04/2020 21:34

I’m going to be brave and call the court tomorrow.

OP posts:
SharpieInThe · 21/04/2020 21:41

Are you able to have someone with you, Salad?

We found out a relative was a sex offender like this and it caused DH to go into shock. I know covid will make it a bugger to have someone there if you live alone, but have a trusted friend agree to phone and check in on you in the afternoon?

Hope you're okay and you get answers.

Original poster
Saladmakesmesad · 21/04/2020 22:01

Thank you @SharpieInThe - that’s so thoughtful of you. I live with a husband and kids so they’ll be around if I need hugs. I did go into shock when I first found out. Horrendous news - hit my life like a bomb going off. I never appreciated before how crime affects families of the perpetrator too.

OP posts:
GottenGottenGotten · 22/04/2020 07:29

Remember, when you phone, the person you speak to will probably have dealt with similar queries regularly. They are unlikely to care why you are asking, and as soon as they put the phone down, will be going back to doing whatever else is on their to do list that day. By the time they go home, they will have forgotten you even phoned.

Be kind to yourself today.

WilburIsSomePig · 22/04/2020 07:36

@charlestonchaplin

She knows enough. It is clear she knows enough to make any decisions about whether to withdraw from a relationship with her brother. She just wants to know all the gory details.

You are so out of order with this comment. You literally have no idea exactly what the OP knows or the details around what her brother appears to have done. She's obviously distressed and you decide to stick the boot in. Nice.

SavageBeauty73 · 22/04/2020 07:42

No advice but sending hugs. Hope you get answers 💐

KatherineJaneway · 22/04/2020 13:06

@Saladmakesmesad

Good luck with the call Flowers

Original poster
Saladmakesmesad · 22/04/2020 13:13

Thank you! I can’t get anyone on the phone... after plucking up the courage! I’ve tried pressing different options. Social distancing stuff maybe? I’m going to try again this afternoon.

Thanks to those who also called out the unpleasant poster. Luckily I’ve been around mumsnet long enough to be able to take and appreciate the help, wisdom and kindness and ignore the people who always pop up with nastiness. The phrase ‘gory details’ says way more about them than me. And by their bizarre logic, families shouldn’t ever want to know the results of court cases, inquests, post mortems etc.

OP posts: