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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that the justice system is a f***ing joke!!!

26 replies

damselindistress · 17/02/2009 12:13

I am a regular name changer on MN some of you may know me under his name too.

I don't know if anyone remembers back in September I posted about my mum being sexually assaulted? I can't find the thread but I'll fill you inon the basics.

In September my mum was out with a few friends in town, she was drugged and dragged through an aley to a car park where she was luckily seen on CCTV being sexually assaulted when the police got there she was semi concious and the guy was lying on top of her trying to pull his jeans down so thankfully he didn't actually manage to rape her and the police got him there and then.

Well obviously that was 5 months ago, he pleaded guilty to being with her and dragging her causing inuries but not guilty to sexually assaulting her apparently she consented even though police say she definately did not and this was proven by CCTV he also pleaded not guilty to robbery when he was found with her phone, fags and purse in his pocket, this was in January.

He was sentenced this morning, we were told a few days ago that he was looking at between 2-5 years because he pleaded not guilty which was defo a lie.

But this morning he was sentenced to 2 months community service and probation. So as you can guess my mum is in bits I am pissed off and I' sorry I know there is worse going on but the justice system is totally messed up if that is what you get for this type of crime!!!

Sorry just had to vent!!!

OP posts:
HecateQueenOfGhosts · 17/02/2009 12:17

If he'd escaped in his car after assaulting her, gone 40 in a 30, he'd have got 2 years

I don't understand how society is supposed to function if we do not deter and punish those who commit crimes.

twinmam · 17/02/2009 12:19

This is horrendous. I'm so sorry for you and your mum

mayorquimby · 17/02/2009 12:20

unreal.and i'm normally a fairly pragmatic defender of the courts who came in to this thread honestly expecting some sort of daily-mail esque scare mongering.
i was prepared to wax lyrical about over-crowding and other constraints on the court.

absolutely none of what i expected to say is relevant to your story. this is truely shocking and can not in any way be defended.the judge should be ashamed.

was he found guilty of all carges?or did he have any success in his not guilty pleas?

onagar · 17/02/2009 12:21

No room in the prisons so they let them off. I call 'community service' letting them off because it's only like having a part time job and lots of people have to work full time when they didn't commit a crime.

Try assaulting a politician or anyone 'important' and I bet it's a different story.

I'd leave this country if I could since I believe it's gone too far to make it work right again.

KingCanuteIAm · 17/02/2009 12:25

That is unbelievable

I am angry on behalf of you both especially as I have just spent several minutes trying to think of something to suggest or a way to help but can come up with nothing!

HecateQueenOfGhosts · 17/02/2009 12:26

That is what they say, isn't it? "No room in prison"

Well, if you have so many criminals that the prisons can't hold them, they get away with it, no punishment - they know that as well as the rest of us!

Build another prison or 2. Or is that too simple?

Original poster
damselindistress · 17/02/2009 12:26

My mum was actually alright until now as she still has no recollection what so ever of the incident to this day all she remembers is going out then waking up in hospital even after having to sit and watch the CCTV footage and sit in court next to him whils he was pleading not guilty to the bloody charges, never brought anything back but now this has really shocked her because he will be around walking in amongst us she said she would'nt even know what he looks like again.

Just feels like a smack in the face for him to be let out we did'nt go to the sentencing today as it's 5 hours away and we were reassured that he would get a couple of years, just as well as I think I'd have been in the dcks for contempt if I had of heard that.

I'm not sure what he ended up being charged with and what he was'nt in teh end TBH I only know what my mum told me earlier from the support officers I'm sre we'll hear more by te end of teh day.

OP posts:
solidgoldbullet4myvalentine · 17/02/2009 12:26

This is dreadful. I found this lot who it might be worth you getting in touch with: though they are mainly for women who have fought back against abusive partners, it looks like they may have some information and resources for cases like your mother's: I am not sure about it but I think there are ways you can appeal against a light sentence or get your MP involved or something.

Original poster
damselindistress · 17/02/2009 12:29

Kingcanute - I don't really think there is anything that can be done, I suggested to my mum when she calms down a bit that she should maybe go to the papers with it and shame the judg etc by telling her story and how she feels let down and terrified of walking past thsi man in the streets yet if she were to hurt him in retaliation then she would have got a far longer sentence.

OP posts:
TotalChaos · 17/02/2009 12:30

shocking. very sorry to hear your mum went through such a horrible experience.

walkinthewoods · 17/02/2009 12:34

I know the justice system stinks, but not as bad as this!!!!!!!!!! I am APPALLED! I would press for an appeal to vary the sentence. It is obviously well off the mark. I am honestly aghast.

KingCanuteIAm · 17/02/2009 12:34

I was thinking about papers/mps etc. It is a terrible story and I am sure it will get some sympathy. I don't know what exactly could happen from it but if solidgold's link is any help an appeal could be good.

How does your mum feel about trying to do something about it?

BennyAndSwoon · 17/02/2009 12:34

That just seems so wrong.

Do let us know what the police tell her.

Like MayorQ I am usually more supportive of the justice system (not that I think it is perfect) but this seems to beggar belief

for your mum

PeachyHasABrokenKeyboardSorry · 17/02/2009 12:41

What hecate said (except about speeding but ds3 almost mowed down alst week so Am about speeding atm)

Original poster
damselindistress · 17/02/2009 12:42

I think she is all for going to press or summit obviously once she gets over the shock of it all if it helps one more peron even if it makes them more aware of the dangers rather than how crap the justice sytem is then I think we'd both be happy. Especially considering teh bar she was drugged in has a track record of it although it is a good pub people just ned t be more aware of what they do with their drinks.

OP posts:
poshwellies · 17/02/2009 12:46

Has she had any contact with Victim Support?

They were helpful and very comforting when I needed them.

I'm sorry your mother went through such a traumatic experience and came away from the court feeling completely let down by the justice system.

here

minouminou · 17/02/2009 14:46

Wow. I was expecting to be reading about the Portuguese truck driver getting 3 years for killing the Statham family, but this is awful.
In some ways it'd be better if he was acquitted, then you could blame it on the rape/sex assault court lottery, but to be found guilty, which he has been, and then to get this non-sentence.............wow.
Is he now on the sex offender register, do you know?
I think newspapers and MP, too.
Hope you get some kind of closure on this.

sb6699 · 17/02/2009 15:00

OMG Your poor mum.

I would be tempted to go to the press with this as well.

Read recently about the rapists who's sentences were extended as they were felt to be too lenient. Hopefully whoever makes these decisions will realise that the sentence given in this case is completely ridiculous as well.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 17/02/2009 15:25

Oh your poor Mum I can't imagine how awful you must all be feeling.

I think you should certainly go to your MP - awareness that such light sentences are being given out for such a crime needs to be raised.

Stretch · 17/02/2009 16:34

But they put pensioners in jail for not paying council tax?? Beggars belief!

Really sorry for your poor mum.

ChampagneDahling · 17/02/2009 16:51

Sounds terrible and I'm really sorry for your mum.

What charges was he actually sentenced for? Its not clear from your post. Was it common assault or indecent assault or actually robbery? Sorry to be picky, but it makes a big difference.

Re the sentence he can't just have been sentenced to a 2 months community order - you probably need to check that out - it is usually at least 12 months with conditions.

Also was he sentenced in a magistrates court or crown court?

Just to be ultra nosey - what part of the country are you in? That could make a difference too - although it shouldn't....

Original poster
damselindistress · 17/02/2009 21:38

Thanks for all your replies everyone

I've been with my mum all day and have found out a bit more about things but as of yet some things are still unclear, I will explain what I know...

He was charged with Indecent Assault of a High grade bordering sexual , robbery and assault due to injries sustained.

He was given 2 years probation not 2 months and 2 months community service.

We live in the Highlands, the court case was taken to the High Court in Edinburgh so shows how 'serious' it was taken.

We just can't make any sense of things, it turns out he has a girlfriend who is standing by him 100%, she is 6/7 months pregnant so... he basically played the sob story he is having his first child who would have been concieved (1 or 2 months before he done this) and he wants to stay in this country because he loves it so much and is very grateful to be able to bring a child up here, he had a flight booked to go back to Poland the day after he did this too so how the hell does that work? but it worked I guess.

Correctme if I'm wrong but I have no idea how someone could want to stand by a man who was actually seen doing that to someone, and I know she's pg but surely that'd make it worse.

OP posts:
6inchnipples · 17/02/2009 22:20

Oh dear this is awful.

I'm so sorry to hear about this having happened to your mum.

The justice system stinks, personal experience i have had too makes me feel this way.

I also live in the highlands and to be honest used to feel this was a 'safe' place to live (having moved from Glasgow).

I read a notice at the weekend too at my local riding school saying that a guy had approached a women in a petrol station offering services as a painter, she declined but he gave her a card. she got in her car and he in his with another man, when the women drove off they followed and it soon became clear to her she had been drugged. Apparently there is a drug much stronger than drug used in 'date rape' that can be on a card or an item near you etc (well scary) This women apparently pulled into a drive way and tooted her horn and the men drove off. Makes you think eh? Bloody awful you don't feel safe going anywhere these days.

Hope your mum recovers from this the best she can.

mamadiva · 17/02/2009 22:28

6 inch - We moved here from Glasgow too so were shocked when this happened but I guess it's just everywhere now.

That story sounds awful very scary stuff.

mamadiva · 17/02/2009 22:28

shite have just outed myself

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