Named In Court

[nailit]

Over 18 months ago my son was arrested for criminal damage to someones car while intoxicated. He was charged and fined at magistrates court. However, before been arrested the man whose car had been damaged attempted to assault him with a pool cue (think I would have done the same if it was my car been damaged). My sons mate got in the way to protect him and ended up in hospital with head injuries and the man with the cue got arrested himself. He's pleading not guilty and after 18 months of delays is now due to be heard in court tomorrow. My sons mate, who got injured, is giving evidence. I'm going with him for support (it WAS my son he was protecting).
However my concern is that this man has a long history of convictions for violence and Im concerned that if my sons full name is given in court he will seek to find him.
1) Will my sons name be given in court?
2) Also a bit confused as to why my son has not been called to give evidence as he was the intended target for this mans attack?

What my son did to this mans car was wrong, I know that so please no disparaging remarks.

[nailit]

Forgot to add, its in Crown Court.
Thanks

[murraymints]

I think it is inevitable that your son's name will be given ..you need to speak to a court official about your concerns regarding revenge attacks ..I know your surname is quite unusual so it will make it easier to trace...perhaps a note handed to the friend's solicitor concerning your worrries..he will know how to keep personal info from public domain if possile...good luck x

[nailit]

Thanks Murry. Its not hard to track down someone here in Stoke with a surname like ours :-(
Just typing my name in google will give you my street on the first result of the first page. Sometimes I hate the internet....

[nailit]

^^^murrymints goes a googling, lol ^^^

[murraymints]

indeed..I'd write that note tonight and hand it to solicitor first opportunity ..

[nailit]

Not to sure of the protocol here as this concerns the prosecution not the defence....had plenty of experience as the defendant but not the prosecution.
Will my sons mate get a chance to speak to the prosecution beforehand like defendants do with their defence lawyers?
I am seriously concerned now that this trial has arrived after all this time, that if my sons name (and possibly address) is given in court that this man will seek revenge, espesially if he is found guilty.
If NJ or EDDIE....or any other legal eagle ...is about, I would appriciate your additional imput (to murrys) before tomorrow.
Thanks again.

[nailit]

This man has a looooong history of violence.

[DTCwordfan]

minty's advice is spot on, nothing more I can add....except good luck, nailit, and fingers crossed.

[EDDIE51]

I don't know but I do not think the address is given out.
Then as you say just the name may be enough.
Get yourself to court early and talk to the duty solicitor.

[nailit]

Thank you DTC, as I said, I dont know the protocol for the prosecution and still flumoxed as to why my son hasnt been called as a witness.

[nailit]

Thanks EDDIE. Do they have a duty solicitor in crown court? Thought that was just magistrates?

[EDDIE51]

Didn't realise it was Crown, then talk to the Clerk of the Court.

[Davemano]

Is the case actually be going to take place tomorrow. I seems strange that your son is not being called by either of the parties. Did he make a statement, and if so all names and addresses will be in the possession of the prosecution already.

[nailit]

Thanks for reply davemano.
Yes the case is going to be heard tomorrow. Its been ajourned again and again but found out tonight its definitly on for tomorrow.
Everybody at the time (inc my son) made statements....there were quiet a few of them, prosecution and witness.
My son was charged with criminal damage to the car and dealt with at magistrates court. His mate spent a few nights in hospital and the guy who assaulted him was charged with assault (dont even know if its ABH or GBH) some time later. Over the months I have half expected my son to be called as a witness (as the intended victim) but heard nothing.
It all seems very strange to me.

[Peter Pedant]

Have a word with the clerk of the xourt
but you may well find that the public justice bit interferes

The papers themselves say that they five the surnames and addresses of the accused for example to avoid the wrong person being targeted. um yeah

for my own conviction - five copies of the local paper turned up on the director's desk the next day. I clearly had frenz at work
c'est ;a vie

[Svejk]

I expect the guy could have found out your son's name before now if he was interested.
Is it possible that the prosecution aren't calling your son as a witness because the defendant has agreed to plead guilty.

[Peter Pedant]

so OK its tomorrow
what happened ?

[New Judge]

I doubt they are back yet Peter. M'Learned Friends in the Crown Court keep rather agreeable hours, don'tchaknow!

[nailit]

Thanks for replies.
My sons full name WAS read out in court today :-(
Ah well. Trial continues tomorrow.

[Peter Pedant]

actually it is not an issue Nailit

my neighbour was unmasked as a CI - confidential informant
during a trial where the defendant demanded to be confronted with his accused

she testified with a paper bag over her head
OK behind a screen

and she was identified by a member in the gallery from her voice alone


so not reading his full name was always a bit of a non starter .....