Police and CPS | Mumsnet

apples6 · 2022-08-21T15:47:34+00:00

Hoping maybe someone has some knowledge on this. I was assaulted a month ago and almost 2 weeks ago went to the police and did a witness statement and a VPS. I have been told the police will decide if there is enough evidence for it to be passed over to the CPS or if no further action will be taken. I will find out either way. My question is does anyone know how long this takes. I believe it can take months, but I was told there probably isn't enough evidence so wondering if it will be faster. I just want to know as if it isn't going to go to the CPS I can start to move on. Thank you.

Felix125 · 21/08/2022 23:16

Is the identity of the suspect known?
What injuries did you receive?
Did you have the contact details of the officer who you spoke with?

Queenie6655 · 21/08/2022 23:17

Mine took well over. A year sadly

The file was sent then the CPs requested more evidence

Sorry to hear you had to go through all of this
It is very hard indeed

stillvicarinatutu · 21/08/2022 23:27

I'm a police officer op - what we're the circs ?
Any witnesses?
Cctv?
Was it domestic related?

The file itself is pretty easy to submit but a bit of paperwork. The cps often have a back log if it's not happening in "real time" - there is a traffic light system for files . Red - someone is in custody and an answer is needed imminently.
Yellow - wothin so many hours
Green - no rush . No evidence to lose so will sit in a queue for a cos lawyer to mull over .

When they do they'll either say not enough evidence to stand a reasonable chance of prosecution in court .
Or
They might send some further enquiries back to the officer in the case (oic)
Or they'll say charge . Or report on summons .

It depends on what evidence there is to support your case .

stillvicarinatutu · 21/08/2022 23:29

The fact you reported it two weeks after the event - are there any injuries? Photos of so ?
It will be a green case .
Could take a while for a lawyer to review and get back to oic.

Original poster

apples6 · 22/08/2022 09:09

Thank you for all the replies.
Yes he is known to me, ex partner.
I was physically assaulted and received tx st ED, which included stitches. No photos were taken.
I was also raped but did not have a forensic examination, my choice and I realise this was probably a mistake now.
So apart from the physical injury and bruises, which there is now no proof of I have no evidence, only what I said happened.
I do have the contact details of the officer I've been dealing with.
I didn't call the police myself, someone else at the scene did, but they did not witness the assault and they attended but apart from basic details I couldn't speak to them at the time.
I didn't particularly want to take it further but after discussions with friends etc I decided to do a statement and a VPS.
Seems like it's just a case of waiting then.

OP posts:

Original poster

apples6 · 22/08/2022 09:10

Queenie6655 · 21/08/2022 23:17

Mine took well over. A year sadly

The file was sent then the CPs requested more evidence

Sorry to hear you had to go through all of this
It is very hard indeed

I'm sorry to hear this, yes it is incredibly hard and doesn't feel worth it as probably won't be an outcome I would like.
Hope you are doing well now.

OP posts:

Original poster

apples6 · 22/08/2022 09:25

stillvicarinatutu · 21/08/2022 23:27

I'm a police officer op - what we're the circs ?
Any witnesses?
Cctv?
Was it domestic related?

The file itself is pretty easy to submit but a bit of paperwork. The cps often have a back log if it's not happening in "real time" - there is a traffic light system for files . Red - someone is in custody and an answer is needed imminently.
Yellow - wothin so many hours
Green - no rush . No evidence to lose so will sit in a queue for a cos lawyer to mull over .

When they do they'll either say not enough evidence to stand a reasonable chance of prosecution in court .
Or
They might send some further enquiries back to the officer in the case (oic)
Or they'll say charge . Or report on summons .

It depends on what evidence there is to support your case .

Thanks for this.
He will 100% deny it all. And like I said my word against his. The injury I received was from being pushed into a table but could easily have happened from falling. The bruises are gone.
With this in mind do you think it will be straightforward and won't go to the CPS, as really what evidence is there.
Thank you for your input, it's really helpful.

OP posts:

Felix125 · 22/08/2022 10:07

I thought you said you needed stitches for the injury?

If that's the case, we will need a medical statement from the doctor who treat you. The lack of photographic evidence may not be an issue therefore. Did the officer observe any injury when you spoke with them?

Any CCTV if this has happened in a public area or other independent witnesses?

Also the rape aspect will need investigating further - did you provide a statement or video interview for this? Did this offence happen at the time of the assault or was it historic? Has the suspect been arrested for all of this yet?

This will need to go to CPS if its a domestic incident, so this may prolong the decision.

Original poster

apples6 · 22/08/2022 17:17

Felix125 · 22/08/2022 10:07

I thought you said you needed stitches for the injury?

If that's the case, we will need a medical statement from the doctor who treat you. The lack of photographic evidence may not be an issue therefore. Did the officer observe any injury when you spoke with them?

Any CCTV if this has happened in a public area or other independent witnesses?

Also the rape aspect will need investigating further - did you provide a statement or video interview for this? Did this offence happen at the time of the assault or was it historic? Has the suspect been arrested for all of this yet?

This will need to go to CPS if its a domestic incident, so this may prolong the decision.

Thank you.
Yes I did receive stitches, so that will be in the report. The rape happened at the time but will not be in the medical report as I did not report it then. Only last to the police whilst doing my statement.
The police officer at the time knew of the laceration but I went pretty much straight to hospital.
There was no CCTV, it was in his house.
I am not aware of an arrest, I haven't been given much information.
Thanks for your input, it has been helpful.

OP posts:

Felix125 · 22/08/2022 18:43

No problem - happy to help

For the assault, we will need to obtain a medical statement from the doctor who treat you - may take a while. This will show the injury is consistent with your statement and won't be a case of word against word. Did the officer use Body Worn Video at the time - this would also show the injury and the officer can provide a statement to say they observed the injury. Did any house to house get done - neighbours may have heard/saw the disturbance.

For the rape aspect - if you reported it at the time you reported the assault, you would have been outside the forensic window for an examination - possibly for injury body mapping also. You can still get access to support services however. The rape should be crimed and should be being investigated - were you asked to provide a video interview about it (ABE)?

As this is a domestic incident, you are entitled to an enhanced service and should receive regular updates and safeguarding. Find out who the current OIC is and contact them - do you have an event/incident number as this may help trace the OIC?

Once you find this out, they should keep you updated with everything with the incident.

Queenie6655 · 24/08/2022 05:55

OP so sorry you went through this

It is hell

I was told to expect very little

One day got a call from the very kind police officer investigating the case to say my scum bag ex was charged with 5 things
Was so so happy !!!!

He may get off he lies very well
But

He has to stand up in court and answer many questions and hopefully this will keep his other partners safe from now on

Don't lose hope

FrontRowSeat · 24/08/2022 06:59

The officer in charge of the case should have agreed with you how often you would like to be updated with the progress of the investigation. As PP said, you are entitled to an enhanced service. Call 101 and say you’d like an update from officer in charge, or some forces let you complete an online contact form if that’s easier.