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Legal matters

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Original poster

will dd3 go to prison?

72 replies

ncfordd3 · 07/02/2017 16:20

hi everyone on the legal matters part of mumsnet, im wondering if anyone could help.

dd had a relationship with a 15 yo boy and the boys mother has gone to the police. i dont want to go into everything but im just wondering if a situation like this would mean prison. can i just say that i didnt know about this relationship. however, this boy was bigger than her!

OP posts:
BillyButtfuck · 07/02/2017 16:48

Where are people getting 14 from? Genuinely curious I thought it was 16 and no legal age restrictions in the UK had different ages based on sex?

will dd3 go to prison?
ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 07/02/2017 16:48

I thought the age of consent was 16 for both

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 07/02/2017 16:49

Is it under 14 for peodophilia?

loobyloo1234 · 07/02/2017 16:49

How long was the relationship OP? How old was she when it started, and how old was he?

Manepartner · 07/02/2017 16:50

I'm sorry but 14 Confused what planet are you on?????

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 07/02/2017 16:50

Anyway, I believe from a policeman friend that consensual sex between people only 3 years apart at those ages wouldn't need any action to be taken.

DearMrDilkington · 07/02/2017 16:52

I doubt she'll be in trouble. I was in a 'relationship' with a 19yr guy when I was 15 and the police weren't interested. Hth.

scaredofthecity · 07/02/2017 16:52

16 is the age of consent but legally you can consent from 14, younger than that and it is assumed they don't have the ability to consent and it is classed as (unlawful) sex with a minor.
(Not sure of exact terms but this is the gist)

allchattedout · 07/02/2017 16:52

Yes, it is a criminal offence under the Sexual Offences Act 2003- either sexual activity with a child or causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. This applies where the adult is 18 or over and the child is under 16.

The offences do carry a potential maximum prison sentence of either 10 or 14 years. In assessing the seriousness of the offence, the following will be taken into account:
the nature of the sexual activity;
the age and degree of vulnerability of the victim;
the age gap between the child and the offender;
any breach of trust in the relationship of the parties; and
any aggravating features, such as, covert use of drugs, use of force, exploitation etc

The CPS will also need to decide whether it is in the public interest to charge your DD. It's impossible to say what would happen here. They might want to make an example of her. I would be surprised however if she were given jail time, even if convicted. More likely to get some form of suspended sentence. The other danger is that if convicted she would need to sign the sex offenders register. However, the police may decide that this is not a criminal matter, especially if the boy is nearly 16 and there is no suggestion of him being coerced etc.

This is obviously a serious matter. If the police indicate that they might be charging her or ask her to accept a caution, you need to seek legal advice from a solicitor. Even accepting a caution would prevent her from working in certain professions in the future. Do not do anything without advice.

Also, have a serious word with her. What is she doing? What made her think having sex with a 15 year old would be a good idea?

Love51 · 07/02/2017 16:53

Wouldn't the boy need to testify to secure a conviction? Unless the mother has evidence! Isn't that why the majority of offences against teenagers get ignored, because the teen wouldn't give evidence?

Cherryskypie · 07/02/2017 16:54

They won't do anything if it was consensual. They wouldn't if she were 15 and he was 18 either.

What the hell is she doing getting involved with a 15 year old?

allchattedout · 07/02/2017 16:55

16 is the age of consent but legally you can consent from 14, younger than that and it is assumed they don't have the ability to consent and it is classed as (unlawful) sex with a minor. (Not sure of exact terms but this is the gist)

No, the Sexual Offences Act 2003 specifies that anyone under the age of 13 cannot consent to sex and therefore any sex with a person under 13 is automatically rape. Sex with a minor under 16 is still illegal, but would not automatically be rape.

There is definitely no difference between boys and girls as far as the law is concerned. Hopefully those who believe that the age is 14 have not been spreading that about to your DC...

atheistmantis · 07/02/2017 16:57

She might well go if they decide to make an example of her given that she's an adult and he is a child under the age of consent. Yes to the sex offenders register as well.

Bluntness100 · 07/02/2017 16:59

Why did the mother go to the police? How old was the boy when it started?

If the boy denies it she should be fine if there is no evidence they actually had sex, there is a fair chance the police will drop it. However no one can guess this for certainty.

Puremince · 07/02/2017 17:00

What is the age difference? If he is almost 16, and she's recently turned 18, there might be little more than 2 years between them. If he's just turned 15 and she's almost 19, there might be almost 4 years between them.

blueskyinmarch · 07/02/2017 17:01

Have they had sex? It will really only be a problem of the boy thinks he was coerced. If he says he consented and doesn't want to discuss it with the police it will probably go nowhere. She won't go to prison.

Original poster
ncfordd3 · 07/02/2017 17:02

the boy is in yr 11 and my dd is in yr 13. i dont know his birthday.

seems like it could go either way :(

i have no idea what she was bloody thinking. its just stupidity.

will she honestly be a registered sex offender? how awful.

OP posts:
PollytheDolly · 07/02/2017 17:02

Yes, as previously asked, why did the mother go to the police?

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 07/02/2017 17:03

Please don't worry. It's so unlikely a schoolgirl would be sent to prison for this.

amusedbush · 07/02/2017 17:04

It seems a bit odd that an 18 year old girl would get involved with a 15 year old boy. Teenage boys always seem far less mature than girls of the same age so the difference between them must be really pronounced, even if it is "only three years".

Not relevant, I know, but it seems very strange. However, it's even stranger that the mother went to the police - does her son have any additional needs, etc that might make him more vulnerable?

allchattedout · 07/02/2017 17:05

will she honestly be a registered sex offender? how awful

No, only if she is convicted. Try not to panic. It depends on what the police think, what the boy says and the circumstances. I would be surprised if the police decided to pursue this, but obviously I cannot categorically say that they won't, because she has committed a crime. Get some legal advice.

loobyloo1234 · 07/02/2017 17:05

OP - very doubtful she will go to prison. Try not to worry. But as I asked above when did the relationship start, how old was he, and how old was she - these things are key here

Pinbasket · 07/02/2017 17:06

Assuming the boy doesn't have special needs with the mental age of a ten year old or something, and that no coercion from the female was involved, I really can't see this going anywhere in terms of court action. I doubt that the boy is traumatised in any way, and they're not that far away from each other age wise, and the female isn't in a position of authority or trust. The Courts would be too full to deal with every such case like this, as it's not a particularly unusual situation with teenagers ! I'd advise the girl not to accept a caution though without seeking legal advice, in the unlikely event that the police do/ can use cautions in these situations, as it could have lots of implications for her.

Aliveinwanderland · 07/02/2017 17:09

Generally they won't prosecute teenagers age 14 and over if they are of similar age and both consenting to the relationship.

However your daughter being 18 does make her an adult. I would think it would be unlikely for the police to do anything but I really feel for you and your daughter, what an awful stress to have.

Miserylovescompany2 · 07/02/2017 17:10

Do either have additional needs? Unless the boy states he was forced or she did something against his will? For example if the boy was drunk and didn't consent...

That said, if the parents wish to take things further. It will be up to the CPS whether or not it ends up in court.

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