My daughter the victim, my son charged with 'assault by battery & beating'

[benjamin4]

My daughter was in hospital overnight after collapsing from alcohol intoxication & MDMA useage. 14 hours after she went into hospital, she came home and my son had a massive argument with her about using drugs. He pushed her onto the sofa and shouted at her. My other son called the police. Result? My son was arrested and charged with the assault. My daughter made a statement which she now wants to retract. My daughter wasn't even in a fit state to make a statement as she was still recovering from the overdosing - but the Police just aren't interested in this! My son is in court in ten days time; he rejected the police's offer of a 'caution' because he believes he has done nothing wrong except try to protect his sister. He can't afford a solicitor so who can we tell that she was still 'coming down' when she made the statement?

[murraymints]

how old daughter?

[benjamin4]

16, and yes, she was interviewed with an appropriate adult in the room - but he didn't realize she had only recently been released from the hospital and was still affected by the aftermath of the MDMA

[murraymints]

a letter of confirmation from a gp that she was in no way fit to give a coherant statement should help her retract it.

[bednobs]

but he did assault her? so he is guilty of assault?

[ummmm]

Pushed onto the sofa....siblings. Gosh, my two batter each other...

[joko]

for the other son to phone the police he must have done more that push her once and shout at her...

perhaps your son needs to learn that pushing people and shouting..presumably in a scary and manic manner...is not the way to 'protect' anyone...

[tillyh345]

Very sad situation. Son is obviously very stressed, feel v sorry for him its not easy around people who are intent on ruining their life and everyone elses by taking drugs!!!! Hop u get it sorted x

[benjamin4]

Thank you Tilly for understanding. My daughter has been spoken to in a soft sensitive manner about the danger of drugs so many times, and although the whole situation was and is awful, I am certain that when she gets offered MDMA again, she will always associate it with her brother pushing her onto the sofa and shouting at her, and if this stops her in her tracks,and makes her think twice then the end result will have been achieved. And yes, my 'shouting' son who undoubtably scared her is absolutely devoted to her. Sometimes the softly softly approach just doesn't work.