Domestic

Yorkie1

I have been wondering how you have been getting on and am sorry to hear your latest update. The officer shouldn't have left it this late to get a statement, particularly in a DV case which should get priority. Grr.

The officer is incorrect about it being just your word against his. There is corroboration in that you have sustained injuries which are consistent with your account. The medical evidence backs you up.

You're right that it won't be pleasant giving evidence but I am almost certain that you will feel stronger for doing it instead of being unable to do it. You will have stood up to him in court, which changes the dynamic. You've been to the court building twice now, which also may help you in that it's a bit more familiar next time round.

Don't dismiss the screens out of hand if the video link isn't granted. The screens will mean that he is not eyeballing you in court and trying to put you off. Don't worry at all about being emotional in court - you will be allowed time to compose yourself and the magistrates will understand.

Keep strong; how long is it adjourned for?

UserName01_2

Yorkie1 wrote: »

I have been wondering how you have been getting on and am sorry to hear your latest update. The officer shouldn't have left it this late to get a statement, particularly in a DV case which should get priority. Grr.

The officer is incorrect about it being just your word against his. There is corroboration in that you have sustained injuries which are consistent with your account. The medical evidence backs you up.

You're right that it won't be pleasant giving evidence but I am almost certain that you will feel stronger for doing it instead of being unable to do it. You will have stood up to him in court, which changes the dynamic. You've been to the court building twice now, which also may help you in that it's a bit more familiar next time round.

Don't dismiss the screens out of hand if the video link isn't granted. The screens will mean that he is not eyeballing you in court and trying to put you off. Don't worry at all about being emotional in court - you will be allowed time to compose yourself and the magistrates will understand.

Keep strong; how long is it adjourned for?

The officer hasn't kept me up to date with anything since he got arrested as I have mentioned in my previous posts. It has only been the last couple of days where she has contacted me several times and warned me that is it likely to be adjourned, obviously because her paperwork is not up to date. I am wondering why she had left it until yesterday to leave a statement form at the eye infirmary for the doctor to write up and fax over. She has had more than enough time to do this so it all should have been prepared for court.

The new date has not been scheduled so unsure how long it has been put back. I did have someone who could have came to court with me today for moral support but as the new date has not been given I don't know if I will have someone to come with me as it depends on the day and time.

I imagine my ex is still on bail with conditions until the next date is set for court.

Mrs.W_2

wannabe_sybil wrote: »

DUTR - sorry, completely off topic, but why to you put so many :o:o:o in your posts?
..

It's a habit he's developed. He hopes the 's will soften his words.




eta: I know habit icons when I see them.

Yorkie1

I can't remember if you've been contacted at any time by a person from the Witness Care Unit (this is not the Witness Service, but someone employed by either the police or CPS to liaise with you)?

If you haven't it might be worth googling the CPS in your Area and sending them an email saying you are the complainant in a domestic violence case and have not had contact from the WCU - and would like someone to contact you. They should be updating you with progress as well as the officer in the case, particularly given the type of case which it is.

wannabe_sybil

Also Women's Aid are experienced at helping women through court cases involving violence from partners or former partners. They may be able to give an extra level of support. Apart from this instance, perhaps counselling from a different source will help you feel better in yourself, more able to deal with bullying and intimidation, give you some tools or techniques.

Thinking of you a lot, hoping all goes well.

UserName01_2

Yorkie1 wrote: »

I can't remember if you've been contacted at any time by a person from the Witness Care Unit (this is not the Witness Service, but someone employed by either the police or CPS to liaise with you)?

If you haven't it might be worth googling the CPS in your Area and sending them an email saying you are the complainant in a domestic violence case and have not had contact from the WCU - and would like someone to contact you. They should be updating you with progress as well as the officer in the case, particularly given the type of case which it is.

I did receive a phone call from someone at the Police Station who asked if I wanted to speak to their WCU but as I has an appointment the following day wth Victim Support I decided to leave it. I then found VS wasn't the help I was looking for so I got in touch with Witness Service at the court the case will be held at. I have had my pre trial but the lady who showed me around didn't explain to me anything about special measures even though she knew how nervous I was, she just said I had nothng to worry about (telling me what I wanted to hear when I know it is not a pleasant experience since I was fighting back tears at the pre trial).

I have the new court date and it has been put back almost 3 months from the original court date! On the letter, it states my ex pleaded not guilty [ on date the original court date was ] so although it was adjourned the day before the court case I think he must have still had to attend court himself unless it was a typo and they meant he pleaded guilty in Oct/November when he was first at court.

UserName01_2

I thought I would pop back and update this thread as I am not sure I have done the right thing so would love others opinions to help ease my mind.

The court case was supposed to be the 3rd week in January but the day before the court case I was warned by the Police Officer in charge of the case that is likely to be adjourned. I believe the reason for this is because she did not request a statement from the eye infirmary until the day before the court case so I had no evidence on my side to help with a prosecution. As stated in my last update, the case was adjourned until another 3 months.

I had to go back to the eye infirmary 3 weeks ago to see a consultant who confirmed the blurred vision is permanent. I have three options; contact lens in one eye, glasses or a major operation for a cornea transplant which I have been told is risky (could leave me blind). The consultant also took a photo of my eye so you could see the scar covering my cornea. The consultant said he would be very happy to make a statement to help with the case and supply photographic evidence on request.

After my appointment 3 weeks ago, I phoned the police and told the call handler that I would like the case updated and a new statement requested from the consultant with updated medical reports and photographic evidence. I was told she would email the officer in charge and she would get back to me. I waited exactly two weeks and heard nothing so I phoned again, to be told the officer returns on duty 01st (which was one week ago today) and she would send an email to get her to phone me. I waited until 06th (two days ago) and decided to send a complaint email.

I am very disappointed with the way the case has been handled and feel I am being messed about. When I reported the case, I waited around 4 and a half hours for a police officer to visit me. I couldn't wait any longer so took myself to the eye infirmary and they walked in 5 minutes later. They said they didn't have enough time to take a statment as they could be somewhere else. Fair enough I thought, even though I had waited four and a half hours for them to come out and take brief notes.

Since the case was passed over to another station and officer I have not had any updates and she never returns my calls when I try to update the case. She never informed me of the arrest, charge or bail conditons (I was told I would be informed of his arrest day or night so I know I would be safe). I only found out when I had an officer visiting me for a different incident (around a week after) and I asked him if he could update me so he radioed through.

She phoned to tell me she would come to my home so I could sign the form to apply for special measures. I waited home all evening and no visit or even a phone call. Three weeks later I decided to phone and ask for an update to be told 'I didn't need to visit you for a signature in the end', well surely a phone call would be nice to let me know?

She then waits until a day before the court case to request a statement from the eye infirmary which I believe is the reason for the adjournment (or why else would she warn me it will be adjourned?). Now I've waited 3 weeks for her to return my call to get the case updated with a more detailed statement and photo evidence. Surely 3 weeks is more than enough to wait for her to return my call.

I sent a complaint email to the inspector two days ago then yesterday I missed 2 calls within 2 minutes of each other. I suspect it was either the Police returning my call or someone phoning regarding my complaint email.

I do feel bad about sending the email and think this might effect the case since she will be the one attending court but I also feel that the officer in charge is not doing her job properly. I imagine she will now know about the email and may be a funny with me when I do eventually get to speak to her. Have I done the right thing?

Yorkie1

I have been wondering how things were going with you and I'm so sorry to hear how things continue to drag on in a completely unacceptable way re. the court proceedings. I think you have done exactly the right thing in sending a complaint email about how you have been treated - the police and prosecution have duties about keeping victims / witnesses informed about their case, and they have not done so.

I am also so sorry to hear the news from the consultant. Good luck with whatever treatment you undergo. Stay strong. x

Funky_Bold_Ribena

You should have done that ages ago.

UserName01_2

Yorkie1 wrote: »

I have been wondering how things were going with you and I'm so sorry to hear how things continue to drag on in a completely unacceptable way re. the court proceedings. I think you have done exactly the right thing in sending a complaint email about how you have been treated - the police and prosecution have duties about keeping victims / witnesses informed about their case, and they have not done so.

I am also so sorry to hear the news from the consultant. Good luck with whatever treatment you undergo. Stay strong. x

Thank you, It really helps.

I spoke with my GP a few days ago for the first time since this incident happened 4 months ago and I broke down, I told him how I feel about the whole thing and the police not returning my calls. He advised me to send a letter by registered post but I felt it was better to send an email via the website. Now I am wondering if I should have waited until after the court case as it really isn't going to help when the officer I reported is the one who is dealing with the case and will be in court.

I am terrified of going to court and in tears just thinking about it so very disappointed this is still dragging on when it should have been over with 6 weeks ago. The way I have been treated since reporting this incident is really not helping me so felt it was best to speak out and hopefully get the case passed over to another officer rather than risk relying on the officer to request a new statement and photo from the eye infirmary.