Will I Go To Prison :(

[dolphinsmiles]

I was arrested on thursday night and charged with common assault, GBH and criminal damage.

This is what happened ...

I bought a puppy after losing my puppy, as a new friend for our little dog, and straight away our dog did not like the puppy, as i was worried about the puppy getting hurt i took the puppy back and said how sorry i was and asked for my £500 back.

They argued a bit but eventually gave me my money back, but when i counted it at home it was £80 short.

I went back and asked for the rest of my money they refused.

I told them i would not leave until i got my money back. The guy was a policeman and then there was his wife also. I am a woman, and i had my two kids age 12 and 13 with me at the time.

Anyway, we argued a bit and when i told him i would not leave until he refunded me he grabbed me and through me backwards, punching my shoulder.

Then he shut the door. I knocked the door again and he opened it and stood in front of it, the door was slightly open at this point. Again i said i wanted my money back and this time he grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and shook me, i tried to get my balance and in doing so my hand went through one of the small panes of glass in his door, and the door flew open wide.

His wife threw herself on the floor picked up a piece of broken glass and slashed her arm about 4 inches x 1 inch deep in front of us !!

He then grabbed me again and threw me backwards, i told him to call the police and that i would wait outside in my car which i did until police arrived.

I was then arrested - no one would listen to me, apparently the glass from a 6 x 6 inch tiny pane managed to bounce off the wall and cut this womans arm open and he has a slight cat scratch, so they arrested me for gbh, common assault and criminal damage.

I am of course up against a policeman, and i am scared i will go to prison. i told them i want him charged with assault but they wont do it, they say they are investigating.

i was bailed and have to go back to the police station next week.

will i go to prison ? i have not been in trouble before.

i am so scared

bee

[dolphinsmiles]

just to add, they are saying that i tried to gain entry to the property and that he used reasonable force to stop me, and that i punched the glass panel resulting in his cat scratch and her deep laceration - none of which is true but its my word against his and he is a police officer

[anaxcrosswords]

Where is the piece of glass his wife used to cut herself? If you had attacked her with it would have traces of you or your clothing on it. If she used it on herself it would be the other way around. If it can be proven that she tried to falsely incriminate you then their entire case effectively falls apart through lack of credibility. Indeed you'd probably find you could sue her.

[dolphinsmiles]

i dont know, they showed me pictures of the glass on the floor and she is not saying i cut her, she is saying the glass flew 12 feet from the 6 x 6 pane of glass and it cut her arm that badly ! its just not possible as far as i can see. i think she did it to stop her husband losing his job being as he is a policeman. i just want the whole thing to go away, i am in the middle of a divorce, on anti depressents anyway - i am stressed out of my head and worried about going to prison :(

[Orderlimit]

I would suggest a custodial sentence is unlikely in the situation as described dolphinsmiles.

On a side note, did you have a solicitor and are the police going to interview your children?. Did the police give you the reason why you were bailed?

[paddywak]

I'm no expert but I wouldn't worry to much. Even if the case goes to court and the worst occurs and you are found guilty I would be surprised if they handed out a custodial sentence for a first offence especially when people who commit really serious crimes only get a slap on the wrist.

[society]

You should have counted the money then and there in front of them to verify you were getting back the correct amount. For your sake hope you are in luck and there are surveillance cameras installed.

[dolphinsmiles]

i have today called solicitor and will be meeting with them soon, as i am so worried. my children are being interviewed tomorrow in videos, and i did not ask for a solicitor when i had my taped interview as i did nothing wrong in my opinion. they kept my coat as evidence. a doctor told them to bail me as i suffer from sleep apnea and have to be on a machine.

[dolphinsmiles]

i dont care about the money anymore i just want this whole thing to go away, i cant bare to be without my kids

[sara3]

what will your defence be?

pets don't come with a money back guarantee, so you probably shouldn't have even been there. I'm surprised you were given as much back as you *say* you got.

[dolphinsmiles]

on my bail it says pending further investigation

[dolphinsmiles]

ok thanks sara3 so i deserve to go to prison because i was worried about the little puppy getting hurt, thanks so much

[EDDIE51]

Chance of a prison sentence in this case ZERO !
Your children are old enough to be interviewed and to give their side of the story.
As a police man is involved this should be investigated by a different police force, get in touch with a solicitor and tell them you wish to make an official complaint against the officer. But in any case GET A SOLICITER, you can get a free 1/2 hours advice from most solicitors .

[sara3]

do you not want a balanced view? courts present both sides.

perhaps a chat with a solicitor will help you.

[dolphinsmiles]

thanks eddie i have this morning contacted a solicitor they are calling me back in the next hour and hopefully i will be able to see them today.

[Orderlimit]

Ok thanks dolphinsmiles, you definitely need a solicitor here, and ask them to explain the correct procedure for making counter-allegations.

[dolphinsmiles]

hi sara3 yes of course, and when i think back i totally agree with you about the financial side, and the pup, she was a darling little thing, but my dog did not like her and i was worried about her and on reflection i should have left it as it was and not returned, but i did return and now i face going to jail for something i have not done. i just want people to be honest, if they think there is any chance i will go to jail or not, thats all. i did not lay a hand on either of them and neither of them say i did, they just both say i forcibly broke the window and that the glass cut them both, which is not true

[dolphinsmiles]

thanks orderlimit, i have asked three separate police officers, including the detective inspector who has been brought in from a special department due to the involvement of a policeman, i have asked them to bring charges against him but they all say not at this time, they will decide if and when a charge needs to be made against him

[EDDIE51]

dolphinsmiles, good, I am sure the solicitor will be able to reassure you .
let us know how it goes. But, I am serious about reporting the police officer ''he grabbed me again and threw me backwards'' that is assault and needs to be investigated.

[dolphinsmiles]

thanks eddie, will let you know :)

[sebhfhion]

Dolphinsmiles What a horrible thing to happen - please do not worry -Your solicitor will sort it out and I doubt there will be a prison sentence. I'm not here to give you advice on the Law but moral support .I've been there ,arrested for protesting on an animal rights issue. Lies were told by the Police , I was put in a police cell, photos and DNA taken and I really did think I would end up in prison . For weeks I was on Bail and I couldn't sleep for fear of what was going to happen . In the end I was charged with Criminal Damage but on the day of the trial at magistrates court the charges were dropped . I was living on my nerves for months just because someone said they saw me slash someones tyres on their horsebox (yes crime of the century i know). Try and keep calm and do exactly what your Solicitor suggests, even if it goes against what you feel is right, as they have done this loads and loads of times and will do their best for you . Good Luck x