The Police and the (not) Mentally Ill

[sloopdog]

Hi, would appreciate your comments on the following. I was recently arrested and charged with a Section 5 Public Order offence. While I will not pretend what I am happy about that, it is not the charge that concerns me, but the conduct of the police in this matter.

The charge is over a dispute with a neighbour, so I was home asleep when the police arrived. Woken I answered the door I was immediately asked by a police person if I was on medication? Before I could answer I was asked if I had taken my medication? I said I don’t know what they were taking about, because I have never had such a thing as medication. I put the comments out of my mind, what with getting arrested and other distractions

A week later I appeared in Magistrates Court to plea not guilty to the charge mentioned above. For the first time I had a glimpse of the police report regarding the case and to my amazement I read that according to the arresting officer I was drunk, and displaying signs of mental illness! I will admit that I had had a few glasses of wine, after all I was at home in bed. But mental illness? I have never had any mental health issues in my life!

I brushed it of again until it occurred to me that in a magistrates court such a defamatory statement is bound to prejudice my case with the judges; because it is entirely a my word against the complainants scenario.

I have recently moved here and was not known by the police at this address. Even if I had recently become mentally ill without realising it, how on earth could the police have known in advance (remember the medication greeting mentioned above) of my supposed condition?

I was perplexed - who would not be? Then I realised that my charge sheet relates to an entirely different but valid address near where I live, not mine! Is this not strange? Comments will be appreciated.

[jackthehat]

Are you claiming that the Police came to the wrong address and nicked you instead of someone else?

And that this 'someone else' has mental health issues?

[sloopdog]

I am exploring the possibility.

[jackthehat]

I am exploring the possibility that this is a wind-up,as your identity would have been suitably confirmed before you set foot in a Magistrates Court...

[DTCwordfan]

Get a good lawyer and your doctor's testimony.

[sandyRoe]

You say you've been charged over a dispute with a neighbour. Maybe they told the police you were mentally ill and on medication?
You need to see a solicitor.

[sloopdog]

Thank you for your comments everybody.

Regarding "your identity would have been suitably confirmed before you set foot in a Magistrates Court" - yes of course it was. Its the "charge sheet" that has the wrong address on it.

[cookian94]

I don't think we are getting the whole story here!

[factor-fiction]

Did the charge sheet mention your name?
Is your solicitor aware of the error on the charge sheet?

[sloopdog]

The charge sheet has my name and date of birth on it.

Regarding the error with the address, (I am poor and) it appears that legal aid is hard to obtain for Section 5 Public Order offences. At this point I have no solicitor and that is why I am seeking any advice I can get here. Cheers