What to expect for sentencing at court on Friday?

[Ladieunlucky]

Im being sentenced this Friday at crown court. I was charged for fraud under false representation due to a manic episode where I stole money from employers. I have bi polar disorder and was un medicated at the time. I handed myself in when I realised what I did and I have lost all my friends and reputation, butonly what I deserve. This charge is because I was in a position of trust. I have seen a psychiatrist for pre sentencing report.

I’ve been advised the sentencing guidelines start at 3 years, reduced by a 3rd because of my early guilty plea and co operation. Mitigating factors are I have not offended before, early plea and co operation, previous good character, have a 15 year old who I have joint custody with. And also my mental illness.

I am prepared for a custodial sentence and just wondered what I can expect on the day in court, how long it takes as no there is no trial. And what to pack in my bag to bring to prison?

I understand this may be my fate and what I deserve and have never once said I’m not guilty. Please just kind comments as this time is very difficult x

Good luck x

Good luck OP 💐

Good luck and take care of yourself. My thoughts are with you. 💐

You poor thing! Hope you don't have to go to prison. I don't think you deserve it.

Hi all! Im home but it’s not over yet. This is the update so please give your advice again and thank you for being on this journey with me. If you are all able to I’d like you stay updating you until next time.

Returning to court again for sentencing on 11th November. Its been adjourned. The court agreed to have a probation meeting to help with their sentencing to look at rehabilitation and my back ground for mitigation. The judge did say that don’t take these next 6 weeks as you won’t get immediate custody nor am I saying you will.He did say it was in the bracket of 2 years custodial which can be suspended at that. My old work are wanting compensation as the amount taken can’t be agreed so they take this back from my assets. Feel happy to be home but delafted its not over yet. What do you think? X

Thank you for updating us. I can imagine you'll be feeling overwhelmed today. I am still keeping everything crossed and prayed for you this morning. I will continue to do this and I am still very hopeful of a suspended sentence for you. For now rest and embrace being home for at least the next 6 weeks and possibly more

That sounds hopeful! But what a shame you have such a long wait. Keep us posted, won't you?

Will be thinking of you x

I think it sounds hopeful, it's difficult to tell but the Judge has indicated that he sees the possibility of mitigation. Have you had a meeting with Probation? Is one scheduled?

Hopefully this a good sign, but I do feel for you having to wait even longer for sentencing.

I would take it as a good sign that they want more information and that a suspended sentence is definitely on the table as an option. Try and enjoy the short reprieve. There is nothing you can do at this point to alter the outcome.

So have you offered to pay back what you stole?

Well in many ways great to see you back in the thread but v tough that the uncertainty continues.

Have you thought about asking MN to move this to Legal where many knowledgeable posters will actually have experienced advice to give you?

Eurgh so sorry you have to wait even longer. It's just awful. I know this because I've been in your shoes. My case dragged on for several years.

I was sent to prison earlier this year for something which was very much caused by severe mental health issues. I was sentenced to 2 years but I appealed and was subsequently released after a couple of months pending an appeal hearing which was then delayed by a further month at which point I didn't know if they would return me to prison or not but thankfully they didn't. Have you discussed with your legal defence the possibility of appealing your sentence if it was an immediate custodial one?

I won't go into how prison was for me because at this point it's obviously unsure of how things will turn out for you. I will say it's promising that they want to discuss it further though I wouldn't get your hopes up. I'm sorry if that sounds negative but with these things you just don't know. I was told over and over by absolutely everyone from my own solicitor/his colleagues to social workers to psychiatrists etc that I should never ever have been sent to prison at all.

As for practical advice for dealing with prison life, I could give lots but I've noticed from the accounts of a couple of people who have experience of prison, that some things will be the same but some will be different depending on which prison. The one I went to for example, you weren't allowed to take in any books or paper. Sheets with names and numbers/addresses if you took any were photocopied and the copy given to you instead. You also weren't allowed to take in any of your own toiletries. Also there weren't jobs in education or sports facilities although I would agree with not taking a job in the kitchen or the gardens in winter! The women are nice and do help each other out a lot. It's not like "TV prison" and you might go to a modern one like I did. There's also a possibility of a tag after a certain amount of time.

I'm so sorry you're in this position. I know nothing anybody can say will make it better and you just need to know what's happening. Be strong if you can ❤️

Exactly this. I'm so sorry that you're facing a longer period of uncertainty, try and make the most of the time.

A family member's sentence was adjourned. She was told it was a positive sign (though so hard to have it all drag on further); that her case was being looked at more thoroughly, giving time for her probation officer, her solicitor and the police to work together to see how she could be kept out of prison.

She was given a suspended sentence. Her solicitor was keen she know that a custodial sentence was not out of the question but that the adjournment was a positive step. She had already shown admission of wrong doing & remorse, but continued to engage with services and demonstrate how she would not repeat what she did. This was all offered up in court.

@Edingril yes I have multiple times. Right at the start too

@friskybivalves how would I do this ? Thank you x

@Ladieunlucky I think you report your own thread to MNHQ and ask them to move it. You could also ask them to update the thread title to eg 'Advice please: my sentencing adjourned but custodial still a possibility'.?

@Ladieunlucky thank you for updating. I know this time must be very scary

I think it sounds promising that they are going to talk about your sentence and possibly outcome

The fact you admitted it as once and wasn't on usual medication and first offence will hopefully go in your favour

Why is the company unsure what the amount is - surely they would have records /would know how much was stolen ?

Fingers crossed for you

Hello, you’ve been playing on my mind all day. I’m glad you are home, but sorry you have to deal with the limbo for longer. I have no advice to dispense I am afraid. But I did want to wish you well

I think it's very positive as in my experience (Probation Officer, albeit left 5 years ago), is unlikely from what you've said to assess you as being a risk to the public. They will make a recommendation in the report for how they believe you should be sentenced and that's highly unlikely to be incarceration.

On the whole a Magistrate (assuming you've remained at a Magistrate's Court) will follow the recommendation of the PO.

Useful. Plus we've been told repeatedly that prisons are full. In that case surely they should be prioritising violent criminals who are a risk to others over OP for a custodial sentence?

So glad to see that you are at home, but I am gutted for you that is all taking so long to be settled one way or another. Try and stay strong xx

I hope this will result in more understanding and empathy towards you in November

Sorry to hear it's going to be dragged on but also pleased you are home for now - hopefully it will be decided a custodial sentence is not needed.