I'm a regular poster but have name-changed. Sorry its long but it is important to me and I am very worried.
I had a visit from the Police today. They are returning tomorrow to interview me under caution as I have allegedly threatened a child while out shopping. I'm told that they are coming to my home as there is only her word against mine and if they had more I would be arrested and in the station. Needless to say I am very upset and I didn't threaten the child at all.
This is what happened.
My DC, who is at senior school, had been hit by a child in the year above. DC has been bullied a lot at school and there have been ongoing problems at school. DC and I complained to the school, the other child admitted hitting mine and was punished with a detention. Mine was punished with a lesser detention (no problem there on my part, it was deserved) for swinging out at the child in anger at being name-called although not making contact.
A week later my child and I were at the local shop. The other child was there and mine pointed her out (whispering). I said loudly that there was no problem, it was all in hand and that the Headteacher was aware and would deal with it and told my child to ignore the other one. I don't remember if I also said that it would be a police matter too if necessary but I think I might have done. It all happened about 3 weeks ago or more and so many things have gone on since that I honestly can't recall. All I know is that I certainly didn't threaten the child in any other way.
We left the shop and as we did the other child got into a waiting car. I was facing the child as she did as I was untying my dog from outside the shop so naturally I saw her a little in front of me. My only "crime" was to look in front as my dog can be a bit of a so and so with loud strangers and it was in the evening so I feared that pub-goers might be around and was trying to be alert to this.
As we walked up the road the car carrying the child came past, VERY slowly. The child had the window down and shouted to us "What are you effing staring at? I'll have you tomorrow". My child shouted back (I forget what, something like get lost) and I quickly jumped on this and said that it wasn't acceptable and to ignore the threat.
So, Police told me today that the child has alledged that I threatened her in the shop. My first reaction was - get the CCTV from the shop! they said they had but it was still her word against mine. I asked what I was supposed to have said but they won't tell me until tomorrow.
I know all I can really do is wait til tomorrow, tell the truth and hope that I will be viewed as honest but I feel so vulnerable. I suppose I am hoping that someone can come along who knows about this kind of thing and who can reassure me that as the cautiion is only at home I am not really suspected of acting in a threatening way and that the police are only following it up because they have to follow up all reports like this.
Can anyone advise please?