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Original poster

Son remanded into custody

104 replies

Samdwoman · 27/04/2020 19:48

DS (19) was remanded into custody today after court appearance until May 25th. I can’t find anything out. He used his 5 minute phonecall to ring me but was just in a state crying. I don’t know who his solicitor is or whether he will get a psychiatric assessment when he arrives at prison or anything. He’s previously attempted suicide and was detained under mental health act.

I know what he did was awful but he’s my son, he’s very immature for his age and he’s terrified. Any idea what will happen now?? How do I find out who his solicitor is?

OP posts:
StylishMummy · 27/04/2020 19:49

Do you know where he's been remanded to? Each prison will have its own intake process and all prisoners 'should' be questioned about their physical and mental health and any medications.

JacobReesMogadishu · 27/04/2020 19:50

Ring the police station?

JKScot4 · 27/04/2020 19:51

He will have been appointed a solicitor, who will probay be in touch.
Did you not attend court?
Why do you think he needs a psychiatric assessment?
What is he charged with? your post is vague.

Original poster
Samdwoman · 27/04/2020 19:54

He’s 19, the police station won’t tell me anything due to data protection act. I was nominated as his point of contact but even then they won’t tell me anything. The court hearing was via video link due to covid 19 and they said I could not be present.

OP posts:
slipperywhensparticus · 27/04/2020 19:54

Depends

Walkingtohealth · 27/04/2020 19:55

Hand hold here. It's my nightmare about my immature autistic son that he might make mistakes that result in this.

Can you ring the station where he, was taken and find out who his, solicitor is?

Hopefully if he is seen to be immature then they will ensure he has a suitable adult with him. I've done that in the past for young adults (not recently though)

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 27/04/2020 19:55

What did he do?

Presumably he had a solicitor at court who should continue to oversee the situation.

Were you not allowed to attend court because of lockdown?

JKScot4 · 27/04/2020 19:56

Do you know what he’s charged with? If so what else do you need to know?
He’s an adult and sadly he’s got himself in this situation.

Walkingtohealth · 27/04/2020 19:56

Cross posted.... okay data protection is going to make it difficult and you might just have to wait for contact from his solicitor.

TokyoSushi · 27/04/2020 19:58

Have you put up a few posts over the last couple of days OP? Obviously what your son has done is completely wrong but I'm sorry that you're understandably so distressed.

I hope you can find something out soon.

ChipotleBlessing · 27/04/2020 19:58

@JKScot4 Well presumably she’d like to know things like whether the prison are aware of his vulnerable mental health. Because he’s her son. I am amazed you can’t work this out.

Bluntness100 · 27/04/2020 19:59

Op, he can give permission for the police to talk to you. He has clearly told them not to.

Due to the seriousness of his offence, I think this was to be an expected outcome.

I think you need to wait until he decides to tell you what’s occurring.

Original poster
Samdwoman · 27/04/2020 20:01

It’s practical stuff I need to know ... like his flat, obviously he won’t be paying the rent, will they be contacted and told the situation?

I don’t know, I just feel so helpless. He was meant to be going for autism assessment but decided not to go through with it. I just want to see him but can’t because of this bloody virus.

OP posts:
Original poster
Samdwoman · 27/04/2020 20:03

He’s told me briefly what’s happening but he’s so immature I’m not sure he really understands himself.

OP posts:
JKScot4 · 27/04/2020 20:04

Do you have keys to his flat? Could you go round and sort some things out?
A solicitor won’t do any of these things.

JKScot4 · 27/04/2020 20:05

This reply has been deleted

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Original poster
Samdwoman · 27/04/2020 20:06

I only found out at 6am this morning! He was only arrested yesterday

OP posts:
Lostmyunicorn · 27/04/2020 20:07

The court should be able to tell you which prison they normally remand to, but they won’t tell you whether that is where he has actually gone. If he is known to MH services then there should be some liaison between MH services and the prison although that can be variable. He should be assessed on entry to prison and that should include MH screening. If he has given consent to his solicitor to be in contact with you then they will be soon I’m sure, but if he hasn’t consented then they won’t contact you or be able to tell you anything if you manage to contact them. The court should be able to tell you who represented him.

Lostmyunicorn · 27/04/2020 20:09

Also he would normally be allowed phone contact with someone tonight, but with the current conditions as a result of the virus that may be different.

OddBoots · 27/04/2020 20:14

Sorry to hear about your situation, it's so hard for family.

The phone line will be closed now but if you contact PACT they may be able to advise or help you.

Original poster
Samdwoman · 27/04/2020 20:15

He did ring me tonight but he was just crying and wasn’t making much sense. He told me where he’s going and when ... but couldn’t remember who his solicitor was. He wants me to have contact with solicitor but can’t remember his name. He is known to MH services

OP posts:
mynameisigglepiggle · 27/04/2020 20:15

Op this website might help answer some questions

www.prisonersfamilies.org/about-us/

Most courts send to 1 or 2 local prisons. He might be allowed a call tonight or tomorrow and usually he would be allowed a visit.

If you can find out which prison he is in then most have a visitors centre you could contact.

The court should be able to tell you who his solicitor was but as he is 19 they might be restricted in what they can tell you

Scbchl · 27/04/2020 20:17

I doubt his solicitor will be able to tell you anything due to data protection either unfortunately. Depending on what he has done it might appear in the paper or a local o line article which will often say who his solicitor was, or he might be lucky that due to it being via a link journalists wont get a hold if the story.

The other option is sto call local criminal defebxe lawyers, but again they might not be able to discuss anything with you.

He will be taken to prison today and on arriving they are taken for an assessment with the prison doctor, she/he will ask him all about his mental and physical health requirements and prescribe any medication required. He will hopefully be allowed to call you tomorrow. I'm sorry you are going through this.

mayhemensues · 27/04/2020 20:18

Is he renting with a private landlord or social landlord? It can be possible to claim housing benefit in these situations for a limited term- I'm not sure how long any sentence may likely be? Sorry you are going through this x

Lostmyunicorn · 27/04/2020 20:19

I would suggest that tomorrow you make contact with his MH s/w or whoever supports him and explain the situation to them and ask if they can find a way to make contact the prison MH team. That’s probably the fastest way to get some info if you don’t have the solicitor’s details. You could still ask the court tomorrow for the details of the solicitor and try to make contact with them too.