Prison?

Justdoit18

Hi everyone,

After a tearful second interview with the OR that went through my finances with a fine tooth comb, I've had notice of a BRO. The OR totted everything up and decided I should have realised in 2017 that my situation wasn't sustainable and that getting consolidation loans and continuing to use credit cards was reckless. This is despite not getting new credit for about 13 months before BR, and not using credit cards for 8 months. Anyway, I can't argue with her. On paper I should have realised. I just didn't.

Now, I'm panicking about what the BRO will be. I don't care about the length of time. I care whether I'm going to prison. The OR was very nice, she said I'd done the hard bit and she said it would be at the lower end of the restrictions level. But to be honest, it feels like they're very nice over the phone, but when things get official it's a different story (for instance the initial OR encouraged me to make a case that I needed to keep our old banger of a car, and then out of the blue I got a letter saying she was seizing it immediately).

So, what am I looking at here. Is there any chance I'll have to go to court? Is there any chance I'll be given a custodial sentence? I'm sick with worry and have three small children.

TIA xx

Minkym00

Please try and stay calm. This is a civil matter not a criminal matter, you won't be going to prison.


The only way you would get a court summons is if you don't opt to accept a BRU undertaking which is admitting your misconduct and agreeing to the period of restriction. In those circumstances they would apply for a BRO which is court ordered and restrictions would remain in place for an extra year.


But you won't let it get that far.

foxy-stoat

Justdoit18 wrote: »

So, what am I looking at here. Is there any chance I'll have to go to court? Is there any chance I'll be given a custodial sentence? I'm sick with worry and have three small children.

None at all - if you knowingly committed fraud on a bigger scale then possibly ( I mean 100's of thousands ), you have just been a bit financially reckless.

Chill

TheGardener

Justdoit18 wrote: »

…. The OR was very nice, she said I'd done the hard bit ...

^^^this

Now the OR wouldn't say that if she was planning on sending you to jail would she.

Don't worry - as others have said this is not a prison matter. Focus now on your fresh start and control of your financial future. Budget and plan and live within your means.