15year old son charged with robbery

feelingmyage

paulofessex wrote: »

My thought is that the OP has found herself in a situation that is confusing has thrown her totally, perhaps didn't quite understand everything what was said (no offence op) possibly first time in the custody area of a police station etc etc.

My feeling is that if it does go to Youth Court the cps will be looking at the OP's son as being a witness against his mates

No offence taken - I am a Finanical Analyst ( not really relevant) so not thick - and understood everything they said - implied it was not necessary to have a solicitor as a caution was the likely outcome - all changed today. Thanks for your support

elvis86

thorsoak wrote: »

I did make that point in my post - I said "and that your son is sufficiently shell-shocked not to allow himself to get involved like this again - what must the poor 12-year old feel like, I wonder - your son will be feeling much the same as he did"

The feelings of the victim and the perpetrator won't be the same at all, and its insulting of you to suggest they would be! The OP's son will most likely be upset he's been caught and is in trouble, and selfishly worried about the consequences for himself. The difference is, the situation is of his own making, the victim never asked for any of this!

I was intimidated by a big group of lads when I was about 12, and I would hardly leave the house again for 2 years!

paulofessex

As it is going the Youth Court, then yes you are doing the correct thing to engage a solicitor. You may find the solicitor will request copies of the custody records and taped interviews just to establish if all procedures were adhered too and if there could have been a diferent outcome should your son have had relevant legal advice.

I agree with Socker-Knitter in post #18 in relation to likely sentence.

Please let us know how it goes

cheepskate_2

On a side note, I would be more concerned about what type of people he is hanging about with. I would bet this will not be the first "incident" that has happened while he has been with these boys. The old saying like attracts like.

The severity of "being there " has to be hammered home to him, as when he becomes an adult and a robbery/ beating happens by his friends and he is stood watching he will be dealt with by the courts as well

bestpud

Oh dear! I hope he has dropped these friends, especially as at least a couple were already known to the police?

Tell me to mind my own but have you grounded him and/or taken steps to distance him from this gang?

I'm guessing they have done this more than once and he has possibly been with them before too, or at least knew they do this sort of thing. That hasn't deterred him from hanging about with them so maybe his attention needs diverting elsewhere?

Is he into sport? Or does he have any hobbies? Anything really that doesn't involve loitering with a gang of older lads out to cause mischief.

I know we have to think of the victim too (my son has been at the receiving end of thugs like this and it's awful) but I can see how worrying this must be for you as well. Fingers crossed the fear he feels right now has a lasting impact.

Not easy being a parent is it!

feelingmyage

Hi All - back after a sleepless night.
yes I have grounded him - to be honest the other 4 were not his friends. I had not even ever heard their names come up in conversation before - they from the same school and - albeit they are in older years . He will def not be associating with them again - he is the most placid boy you could meet , A grades predicted for his GCSE's - I am trying to steer him into more sport at school.
Thanks for all you r comments - appreciated

nearlyrich

When you hear about persistance offenders getting away with vicious attacks it seems a bit OTT to prosecute the OP's son, not that I condone what he has done but I think a caution and a few sanctions from OP would have been a more appropriate way to deal with this. I know they have conciliation sessions where offender and victim come face to face and it might have been appropriate for the victim to get a sincere appology from the lad.

I am all for nipping this kind of behaviour in the bud but 15 year olds don't always think through the consequences of their actions, that's why they still need to be subject to parental control and advice.

paulofessex

nearlyrich wrote: »

When you hear about persistance offenders getting away with vicious attacks it seems a bit OTT to prosecute the OP's son, not that I condone what he has done but I think a caution and a few sanctions from OP would have been a more appropriate way to deal with this. I know they have conciliation sessions where offender and victim come face to face and it might have been appropriate for the victim to get a sincere appology from the lad.

I am all for nipping this kind of behaviour in the bud but 15 year olds don't always think through the consequences of their actions, that's why they still need to be subject to parental control and advice.

Quite right, it may be that the court will request a pre-sentence report from the Youth Offending Team (known as YOT's) which will hopefully indicate to the court the op's son was more of a follower rather than a leader.

A point for all parents to remember to advise their children of....Magistrates' courts also deal with offenders under 18 years old if they are in custody with an adult charged with the same crime. Of course Magistrates Court is not as relaxed as the Youth Court.

Found this link for the OP and son regarding Courtroom advice, although your local YOT will have further info

Courtroom Advice

feelingmyage

Thanks for this information. I have made an appointment to see a solicitor later - will keep you informed . She did advise to always take up offer of a solicitor at a police station.( may help someone )

talulahbeige_2

feelingmyage wrote: »

Yes of course we are worried about his future record - so is he and woudl turn back the clock if he could.

There are lots of things I would turn the clock back for but unfortunatley I can't.
You learn from your mistakes, hopefully he has learnt his lesson and will think of the consequences before he acts again