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Original poster

How can I find out what happened in court? (Trigger re indecent images)

156 replies

Sistery · 13/07/2020 16:37

Changed my name as this is totally outing if any of the few people I’ve told read it. I’ve talked about this on here before though and been on here for years and years.

My brother is in court in Scotland today charged with crimes related to child sexual abuse images. Arrested last July, pleading guilty, don’t know what the specific charges are but get the hint it’s as bad as it can possibly be. The only family that know are supporting him and refuse to tell me anything about it.

Unless it hits the local press (not sure if it will due to Coronavirus) how can I find out what the outcome was today? I’m hundreds of miles away. When I asked a similar question about what turned out to be a pre hearing appearance a lot of people on here said I needed to mind my own business etc. I appreciate some people think that but I just need to know Sad. This is my little brother whom I loved and thought was a good person and friend. I can never see him again but I need to know the details for my own understanding and closure. And - frankly - so I can defend my decision against the family members intent on minimising this who will try to manipulate him back into my life in the future. They don’t even know I know the hearing is today.

OP posts:
Snowytreecricket · 13/07/2020 19:42

Have you tried ringing the procurator fiscals office? I know they were able to inform me about the outcome of a court case. Although I’m unsure if that was just because I was a witness.

Also it might be worth checking when the local papers are published. For example if anyone appearing today would not be reported upon until Wednesday when the local paper was actually published.

MrsPerfect12 · 13/07/2020 19:42

Have you had a look in uk-dateabase.net
They have a Facebook page too.
I'd want to know. Good luck

Emeraldshamrock · 13/07/2020 19:44

@Onedistraughtdm Flowers You're very brave it must have been heartbreaking and the others on the thread going through it.

TempestHayes · 13/07/2020 19:48

It's shocking that family members can be kept completely in the dark about crimes a near-relative has committed and even whether or not they've been imprisoned. That feels like a loophole that needs closing. Forcing people to rely on word of mouth or the lies of their supporters is how people end up suffering at their hands.

I hope you find out, OP.

SinkGirl · 13/07/2020 19:48

I understand the need for privacy for victims. However, if someone is convicted for downloading or sharing images it would not be possible to identify the victims from that information. I am just stunned there is so much difficulty around obtaining even basic information when there’s such a clear public interest in this being public knowledge.

Nicknacky · 13/07/2020 19:50

Those ukdatabase websites get their info from the media and social media, they are not official websites affiliated to the justice system.

FairfaxAikman · 13/07/2020 19:55

Child sexual offences are usually not allowed to be reported on in England and Wales to protect victims, rather than offenders.

I don't know about England, but in Scotland you can report on the case but not identify any person under 18. You also have to be careful not to provide information that could identify the child - such as their school or say they are related to the accused.

I'd assume it's the same in England but as a convention many don't report on it.

berryhead2013 · 13/07/2020 19:55

I'm in Scotland and know a court clerk what court is it

AgentProvocateur · 13/07/2020 19:55

I don’t know if it was your previous thread that I posted on, but there’s a really weird rag that’s printed and sold in newsagents in the Glasgow area called The Digger. You can pay and access back copies online. It has a weekly roundup of court appearances and sentences.

Ledehe · 13/07/2020 19:58

Someone else has suggested this but I would contact The Digger or have contact Child Protectors Scotland who are a pretty active hunter group. You should be able to contact both of them on Facebook.

Nicknacky · 13/07/2020 20:00

Op, you seem sensible. Do NOT contact a paedophile hunter group. You don’t want them involved.

FairfaxAikman · 13/07/2020 20:03

If he plead guilty today then it's likely that the sheriff ordered reports.

These take around 28 days.

The narration (account of what happened) may have been heard today or the sheriff may have opted to wait to the sentencing. If the latter then the local paper may wait till sentencing to report or not as then they'll know if it's newsworthy or not

lowlandLucky · 13/07/2020 20:25

Sometimes it is better not knowing

Ledehe · 13/07/2020 20:28

@berryhead2013

I'm in Scotland and know a court clerk what court is it
This is illegal and your friend should lose their job and be prosecuted if they disclose information to you like this
Ledehe · 13/07/2020 20:34

@Nicknacky

Op, you seem sensible. Do NOT contact a paedophile hunter group. You don’t want them involved.
They post a lot about sentencing that has gone on in Glasgow Sheriff Court. You could probably just have a look on their page to see if anything is mentioned.

Also if you contact The Digger it would be the same risk of the details being in the public domain.
It very well may be eventually anyway.

Onedistraughtdm · 13/07/2020 20:38

Nobody knows I allow myself his birthday every year to grieve. He died that day...
Would have been easier...
As a family we received no support.
I hope you seek some op...

lockdownparty · 13/07/2020 20:47

Once he's convicted it will become a matter of public record.
Which court was it op?

orangesandapplesandpearsohmy · 13/07/2020 20:59

Is that what it’s called, ‘indecent images’? Perhaps if we called it what it is - video and photos of children being tortured and raped by adults - men would stop and think twice before going to look at children being sexually abused out of ‘curiosity’ or whatever bullshit I’m-not-a-paedo excuses they give for downloading and enjoying images of children suffering.

Emeraldshamrock · 13/07/2020 21:04

@Onedistraughtdm It's heartbreaking.

BananaPop2020 · 13/07/2020 21:10

I cannot believe someone is advocating contacting a Paedophile Hunter Group in relation to this. There is absolutely no way that will improve the situation.

Nicknacky · 13/07/2020 21:12

BananaPop2020 I know. They are dangerous at the best of time without providing them with extra ammunition.

YoBeaches · 13/07/2020 21:13

The charges and the sentence will be available online after he has been sentenced. (As opposed to just convicted- if convicted he may be held on remand till sentencing) So it depends on what type of hearing he had today.

You will be able to find out.

BananaPop2020 · 13/07/2020 21:15

NickNacky, honestly, just when you think you have heard it all....someone thinks empowering a vigilante gang with that sort of info is a reasonable solution 😐

Tiredmumssquad · 13/07/2020 21:27

Sometimes there is local pages on fb for stuff like this .. usually put pictures up and a summary of crimes and stuff so might be worth just typing his name into Facebook and clicking posts to see if anything comes up

Bluntness100 · 13/07/2020 21:29

My daughter is a trainee lawyer, not criminal but commercial and not in Scotland but she says for her to find cases it’s basically a subscription service companies have to access court records.

As such I think a local solicitor will be able to do it for you if you go to one. She says it’s not usually transcripts they access but summaries of the case.

So if you can’t find it free this would likely be an option for you.

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