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Friend who sexually assaulted me twice went no comment to every question in first interview

4 replies

Hillside1234 · 05/12/2018 16:34

I'm currently dealing with a police matter, where a good friend sexually assaulted me 5 and 4 years ago (and god knows how many times in-between).

The first was my 18th birthday, where I went to bed early, sober and he must have thought I was drunk. He groped my boob and when I turned over to get away he used a scary amount of force to pull me over and go again. He was my best friends boyfriend at the time and she was sat just feet away as this happened. I confronted him and he admitted it. When I told my parents they got him and his parents to come over and threatened with police but I wouldn't do that and completely forgave him as it seemed so out of character.

Fast forward to 3 months ago and I got a message from my best friend, his now long time ex, who told me that one night out we'd had, where he'd been buying me drinks all night, apologising for what he'd done a year previous, shed turned around in the car to see his hands down my pants. Being a lightweight I was almost unconscious (shamefully, but still only 18). He begged her to keep it quiet, and she did, until 4 years later.

I'm now pressing charges. It's been a horrible road to go down but we've waited months for anything to materialise and he literally said no comment to every question during 45 minutes of questioning. I'm gutted, astounded and so so angry.

When he found out he messaged me begging not to go through with it. Not a single apology. I'm just so so angry.

Can anyone talk me through what happens now or have any idea what he will be charged with. The police haven't been all that helpful.we also have multiple messages as evidence of him admitting to both times, and apologising for the first time. We also have photos of him at the first event (since he refused to comment on whether he was present).

Any help would be very much h appreciated. Thsnks.

OP posts:
Omzlas · 05/12/2018 17:06

OP, I have no advice to offer, I'm sorry. I can offer a huge hug and a Brew

Much love Flowers

Wellmeetontheledge · 05/12/2018 17:09

‘No comment’ is sometimes what a person is advised to say when their solicitor knows they are probably guilty and needs to look into matters more thoroughly. I think, generally, that if a person is innocent they are advised to answer questions. I wouldn’t worry about it.

Finfintytint · 05/12/2018 17:13

No comment responses can work in your favour. He has chosen not to excuse, explain defend his actions, etc.

Alternatively they are used because there is very little evidence that the police have - prove it copper.

The fact you have a witness, messages and images is positive.

legalbeagle197 · 05/12/2018 18:32

There are two main reasons that a solicitor will advise no comment - either the evidence is scant or the answers won't help. Sounds like the latter applies in your case. Unless he is eligible for a caution (rare but not impossible in a sexual offence) there is no real benefit to the client. Credit (discount against sentence) applies from the first appearance in court.

From here, the police will gather any remaining evidence and take it to the Crown Prosecution Service who will assess whether they have a realistic prospect of conviction. If they decide they do, they will charge him. You'll have a better idea then of timeframe etc as he will be asked for a plea - the solicitors will have seen the evidence by then, they will only have had an outline so far. Hopefully he will plead guilty but if not they will need you to give evidence.

Happy to give you more info if that happens but hopefully they will provide [accurate] info via the witness care team.

So sorry this happened to you x

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