Viewing Magistrates Records Online

leccyblue

Hi All,


Sadly, we discovered through reading the paper earlier this week that someone who has been in a relationship with a member of our family has recently pleaded guilty at a magistrates court to a child sex offence - and is due for sentencing at Crown Court at a date to be arranged in the future. This as you can imagine was a big shock; especially for the family member concerned as the accused had kept this from them for the whole time (they don't live together).


We're trying to help the family member find out as much as we can about the case, as the accused is denying it all and is obviously a bit of a fantasist; and I wondered if it was possible to download/read/pay for access to magistrates court records online? I will call the court on Monday when they are open but was hoping to get something before then. I have looked at lawpages.com but this only lists crown court cases.


Would be very appreciative of any help available please :-(

Nicki

The short answer is no. These records aren't publicly available but would not give you any more info than you already have even if they were (ie the date of the hearing and the fact that he entered a guilty plea). The detail of what happened wouldn't have been given in court at this stage anyway even if you had known in advance and been there. Simply the charge would have been read, plea entered and maybe some discussion about bail. The detail of what happened will not come out until the sentencing in the crown court.

leccyblue

Thanks Nicki! Is this always the case? It's just that the local paper gives a summarised version of events - how it happened, what was said by both parties etc.

leccyblue

Would I be allowed to attend county court as a member of the public - when the case involves an underage child? (14)

fabforty

TBH I wouldn't bother with visiting the court and trying to get details. If I was the person in the relationship with him, I would end the relationship and (if she has children), make sure that they are okay and have not been harmed in anyway. The fact that he has been convicted would be enough for me I'm afraid, especially if as you say he is a fantasist and is denying everything.

leccyblue

You're absolutely right fabforty and this is exactly how I feel. However at the moment she doesn't know whether to believe he has done it or not (although she's still taking the correct action) and I feel that having something in black and white may help her come to terms with it. I really don't want to get into the nitty gritty here but I know this person extremely well and feel this is the correct way forward in terms of helping her come to terms with it.

BigAunty

Obviously they have to be convicted first but might be worth a check to identify if there are any historic offences against them of this type.

https://www.gov.uk/find-out-if-a-person-has-a-record-for-child-sexual-offences

fabforty

BigAunty wrote: »

Obviously they have to be convicted first but might be worth a check to identify if there are any historic offences against them of this type.

OP says that they have already pleaded guilty.

Nicki

leccyblue wrote: »

Thanks Nicki! Is this always the case? It's just that the local paper gives a summarised version of events - how it happened, what was said by both parties etc.

Usually the way it works is that the charge is read with basic details of what it entailed. So not just that X was charged with assault for example, but more along the lines of X is charged with assault in that on the 10th day of August 2014, at the Grapes pub, he headbutted Y, causing the following injuries. Then the plea is taken. The more detailed explanation of what happened, and then what mitigation if any there is usually isn't given until the sentencing.

The County Court doesn't hear criminal cases. I think you mean the Crown Court, and yes the sentencing and the arguments will be heard in public, even though the victim is under 18, but you may find the victim's name is not given in open court.

leccyblue

Thanks Nikki. Yes, I got my terminology mixed up, I meant Crown Court. If I am allowed to attend then I will.

I'm just surprised at the level of detail in paper (including the dialogue between the accused and the child) if that wouldn't normally be covered at the plea stage...which is why I wondered if records / transcripts would be available from the magistrates court. It appears that he has been to the magistrates court three times and on one of these occasions it was adjourned at the request of the defence solicitor. The third time he pleaded guilty and was sent for sentencing at crown court (date to be arranged).

Chatalouge

Look on incourtsdaily and look him up. It wont give you exact details of the case but you will know when he's been in court and what for along with what has happened at each hearing and his trial date. You can also attend any court hearing. It appears by being in the paper it is open court so go and you will find out everything.