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

Obviously not trying to pigeon hole your feelings but Sundays can be a horrible day. Especially after the weather we have had. Too much time to think.
Try and reset yourself this morning and take one busy day at a time. You are doing so well be kinder to yourself. Maybe try to plan a break for yourself on the long days you are in your own company like a walk and a coffee shop visit or whatever you like doing.
My mental health mantra is
Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all.
I came to that in my thirties after hating myself from the age of 11 and feeling like a total fraud in life all in my own mind.💐

You've had nothing but fear cursing throught you for so long now. And whilst that is awful. It's also what keeps you going,because the fight or flight keeps your whole person running from "that tiger". Now that isn't there you'll be stuck between what ifs.what next. And what am I or can I do this.
But that's ok. Allow yourself to feel vulnerable in a different way now.
Because now your left with you. And rhe you that's poorly.
And that needs adequate support,love and care. From yourself and others.

Your also faced with an illness that seeks you out when you're vulnerable. It's main aim sadly is to sabotage you.
Mental illnesses seeks safe place for the sufferer to crawl into at the start. But this quickly turns into destroying said person when it takes hold. Be aware of what's happening. Don't beat yourself or the illnes up. That won't help. Just be really compassionate and work out how to take care of you now.

Take each day as it comes.
DO NOT GIVE UP ON YOUR COURSE.
do you know how often when someone manages to access help, that they feel soooo much safer when the person "gets it" that could be you one day. Someone who actually knows to the very core of this stuff.
And ok what if it goes nowhere and you decide to work in a library. Ok. Still can use it. In a shop. In a crematorium. You name it our minds/ phycology and this degree is used and helpful everywhere.
Or even jist do it so you can be proud of you, for studying this. How brilliant is that.
It's also vital right now you have purpose and routine. This will massively help that.

Try to take one day. One moment. You need to heal right now. And do it in bit by bit
You need to get your own safe thoughts and calmness and routine back, now this weight has been lifted.
It might also feel scary because where are all these people thst were so bothered about your behaviour and where you were during the court proceedings?
So you need to re find your people. Support. Kindness. People to check in on you for you.
Do you have thst.
Are there any local charities. Mental health groups. Even emailing or phoning a phonelines for a talk or signposting.
Could there be a local mental health cafe. Somewhwre for comrades chat.Soup kitchens.
Is there access to support via work?
Keep going to work.
Taking meds.

Get yourself out like you usually do..the longer you don't the more your head will persuade ypu of these beleif loops your currently in.

When you wake up. Jist lie and think whst you want or are to do today. Just today. No fear of further than that. What could today consist of: tv.
A book.
What would you like to cook(posh up your meals if you can. Make everything just more faaaancy to make yourself smile.
Do you want to paint
Plant some bulbs.
Do you need groceries or shopping.
Just little daily mmmmm what can I do today to make it scrummy. Or at the very least managed.

Add your meds into a daily routine so it's not a feared effort or extra. So it could be loo,teeth meds. Or up legs out of bed take meds and brush hair. Add it with something so it becomes just so normal your head doesn't fight it if you have a vulnerable day.

Oh and we are all here. I don't need to write a novel all the time 😆 .
You've done all this. You've fought so f hard. Don't you dare give up now. You can keep going. I know it's hard.
Don't doubt yourself. Look at the months you've just done. For that alone you need to be proud and believe in yourself.
People need someone just like you in their future. You need you in your future.
Be your own shining light.x

That's amazing. Well done you for getting back up and fighting to get yourself back again. That's so blooming brave. It must have been a scary,shaky time.

Hi eveyone how are you all? I’m back looking for some advice if you trusted lot can help. I have to go to a hearing on the 4th April to pay back what I took. This is what my solicitor is asking for. My question I am not on my partners mortgage, but I contribute to this bill wise. I have no assets, no car, savings, anything. Can they make my partner sell his house to pay this?

Details of any bank or building society accounts and or savings held by your or jointly and the balance on the date of our meeting.
Details of any stocks shares or bonds held by you or jointly.
Details of any premium bonds, shares or unit trust that is held in your sole name or jointly
Details of any other assets that you hold.
Details of any vehicles that you own
Details of any articles of value
Details of any property that you own either in your sole name or jointly either in the UK or Overseas and or any property that you have a beneficial interest in and or contribute towards.

Please help xx

is the house in his name or joint?

@Shadesofscarlett his name on the mortgage only xx

Partner.. not husband?

I can't see how they could force the sale of someone elses house if you're not on the deeds, you don't pay the mortgage (contributing to the bills is not the same as legally being responsible for servicing a mortgage)...

If you were married, then yes (potentially, IANAL).

The last question asks about any property that you contribute to so you need to declare your partner’s property. But I can’t see on what grounds they can force him to sell it.

Agree with PPs that I can't see how they could force him to sell his home.

Just in case you start getting responses to your earlier issue, I would suggest you start a new thread. I'd love to think people will read all your thread.... but unfortunately I've been on MN to long.

I'm no expert but would be confident they can't take anything that isn't in your name. They are just working our how much you personally can afford to pay back.

I'm sure your partner's property and assets are safe. And if you say your rent or bills etc are xx they will have to take that into consideration.

Good luck!

Why do they need to take you to court to pay it back? If you’re truly remorseful why don’t you offer to pay it back voluntarily- even if you have to borrow money from a bank or your partner, and then you work hard to pay them back. Surely that’s the morally right thing to do…?

@CatalinaLoo It's to provide protection to the person/company OP stole from and is no reflection on OP's willingness (which she's clearly stated previously) to repay it. The court will establish what OP can reasonably afford to repay and the frequency and the judge will make a liability order reflecting this.

No, they cannot. You are not married and you do not jointly own the house.

Do you have any joint bank accounts, joint savings accounts or joint assets?

If not, you just provide the information requested that is in your sole name only. You do not need to provide any details of his financial assets.

Second, there’s something called the beneficial interest, or beneficial ownership. This is about the people who have the right to live in or enjoy the property or the money if it’s sold. Legal owners and beneficial owners might not be the same people. It doesn't sound like you have a beneficial interest in the property. As for making contributions too, does what you give your DP just cover 50% of bills? Contributing too would I think mean paying part of mortgage, rent might be construed as a contribution, I don't know, but if you're only paying 50% bills I don't think it would be. If you are paying just 50% bills I'd make that clear.
lawhive.co.uk/knowledge-hub/property/beneficial-interest-in-property-guide/

If you’re not on the deeds for the property then you’re not a joint owner.

For clarity it may be worth stating that you don’t have any ownership of your partners house but you do contribute towards the running costs.

Hi, I’ve been reading this thread as I’m too about to go through this process. I’m a mother of two really young children and have been charged with fraud by false representation. I’ve made my own post about it but I just wanted to ask how you found the process and any tips on how to handle this?

im so happy to see you got the best outcome possible! And please don’t let mum guilt consume you, I know how it feels to do silly things when your mental state is bad but you’re still an amazing mum and still an amazing person. Don’t let it define you! And good luck with everything to come x

@Ladieunlucky I've just read several of your threads after reading @Lonerangerr 's thread.

how are you doing now?

you got the best outcome possible. Try to make the most of it!! I know it's a lot of money to pay back, but it's doable & you have you get freedom.

be positive for you & your DD
XX