This is getting too dramatic now!
Just me again!
Summary of speaking up!
Told 3 friends around 4 years ago now - the moment chose me!
17th Oct 2004 made 15 page statement to police.
23rd January 2006- court case finally starts. Myself and another complainant have a combined case. Sitting in the witness house, wondering why nothing is happening. At this point I know that the defense are trying to split the two cases up. Shock news reaches me - the Judge has not only refused to split the two cases, he is going to allow evidence from a third complainant to be read out in court. The defence Barrister asks the Judge to put the charges to the perv again, and he pleads guilty. A total shock to the system - I spent the rest of the week just trying to get my head around it, and finally start to believe that it is nearly over! The ******* has been denying everything until now.
17th Feb - go to court expecting to see the perv receive his sentence. More drama as his barrister states that the perv wishes to withdraw his guilty plea. The judge asks the barristers if they are available in 2 weeks time to discuss this request in court. The pervs barrister is not available (I think he just dumped a lost cause). The statements are still the same, and he did plead guilty to what is stated in them - what's he doing ....playing games again?
3rd March today - arrive at court, 10:00am, with two of the friends that provided supportive statements for me. The case is delayed, because the previous days hearings had lasted longer than expected. When I arrived at court, I fully expected that the result would be a date for the trial.
As the day progresses, and other cases are completed (Friday is sentencing day), I begin to think that we will run out of time, and the case will be deffered until another date. I also begin to think that with all of these delays, there is going to be a trial in the summer. Court is meant to finish at 4 in the afternoon - that time has been reached. The third friend that provided a supportive statement for me has finished work for the day and also arrives in court. I then find out that the judge will continue until 17:30 in an attempt to clear the backlog.
17:15, just as I am completely ruling out any progress today, the pervs name is called! He enters the stand.. it's in court room 1 this time, and it's much better, as the stand is surrounded by small railings - looks like he is fenced in (a good omen - I hardly dare to think so).
The pervs new Barrister speaks some twaddle about how he was confused when he pleaded guilty - this was allegedly because the judge was going to allow the third complainants statement to be used. The Barrister looked embarrassed because she new she was talking crap.
The Judge said that there was nothing unusual about allowing additional evidence to be admitted at a late stage... he then rejected the requested plea change. The guilty plea stands!
I cannot take this in! Events have never gone as expected in court, but this is the real thing now.
The judge has deffered sentencing until a later date, because he didn't want to rush it today. He didn't look too happy with the way the perv has messed things about, so that must be good news when it comes to sentencing.
It looks like I only need to attend court one more time now, to see the sentence delivered!
It was good that my three main supporters were there with me.
My head is just empty now, but I know that the good feeling will arrive shortly! I am having a very nice bottle of wine tonight - purely for pleasure.... a toast to you all!!!!
Best wishes...Rik
Summary of speaking up!
Told 3 friends around 4 years ago now - the moment chose me!
17th Oct 2004 made 15 page statement to police.
23rd January 2006- court case finally starts. Myself and another complainant have a combined case. Sitting in the witness house, wondering why nothing is happening. At this point I know that the defense are trying to split the two cases up. Shock news reaches me - the Judge has not only refused to split the two cases, he is going to allow evidence from a third complainant to be read out in court. The defence Barrister asks the Judge to put the charges to the perv again, and he pleads guilty. A total shock to the system - I spent the rest of the week just trying to get my head around it, and finally start to believe that it is nearly over! The ******* has been denying everything until now.
17th Feb - go to court expecting to see the perv receive his sentence. More drama as his barrister states that the perv wishes to withdraw his guilty plea. The judge asks the barristers if they are available in 2 weeks time to discuss this request in court. The pervs barrister is not available (I think he just dumped a lost cause). The statements are still the same, and he did plead guilty to what is stated in them - what's he doing ....playing games again?
3rd March today - arrive at court, 10:00am, with two of the friends that provided supportive statements for me. The case is delayed, because the previous days hearings had lasted longer than expected. When I arrived at court, I fully expected that the result would be a date for the trial.
As the day progresses, and other cases are completed (Friday is sentencing day), I begin to think that we will run out of time, and the case will be deffered until another date. I also begin to think that with all of these delays, there is going to be a trial in the summer. Court is meant to finish at 4 in the afternoon - that time has been reached. The third friend that provided a supportive statement for me has finished work for the day and also arrives in court. I then find out that the judge will continue until 17:30 in an attempt to clear the backlog.
17:15, just as I am completely ruling out any progress today, the pervs name is called! He enters the stand.. it's in court room 1 this time, and it's much better, as the stand is surrounded by small railings - looks like he is fenced in (a good omen - I hardly dare to think so).
The pervs new Barrister speaks some twaddle about how he was confused when he pleaded guilty - this was allegedly because the judge was going to allow the third complainants statement to be used. The Barrister looked embarrassed because she new she was talking crap.
The Judge said that there was nothing unusual about allowing additional evidence to be admitted at a late stage... he then rejected the requested plea change. The guilty plea stands!
I cannot take this in! Events have never gone as expected in court, but this is the real thing now.
The judge has deffered sentencing until a later date, because he didn't want to rush it today. He didn't look too happy with the way the perv has messed things about, so that must be good news when it comes to sentencing.
It looks like I only need to attend court one more time now, to see the sentence delivered!
It was good that my three main supporters were there with me.
My head is just empty now, but I know that the good feeling will arrive shortly! I am having a very nice bottle of wine tonight - purely for pleasure.... a toast to you all!!!!
Best wishes...Rik
That makes me happy to read. THANKS for sharing.