Very big problem! +rep

[ToxicPaddy]

Hi
Please bear with me when I'm writing this, I don't know how to explain it properly :)

You might remember me posting a while ago about me and 2 friends getting mugged. Well, tomorrow the police want us to go to a 'safehouse' and give a statement. 1st friend goes at 9.30am, I go at 1pm and other friend goes at 3pm.

It is video evidence that we have to give, and they said that if it goes to court for a second time, then the video will be played and our faces shown in court. My mum and nan have been going on all day about 'dont make the statement because he will see you and people will be after you'. But the police said if we do not make a statment, they get to keep our phones because theres no evidence to go against him.

The only reason we are doing it is to get our phones back. But what can we do? I don't want the first friend to go and do it, and then I refuse to, because thats unfair on my friend. My nan spoke to a Liaison officer and he seemed very abrupt, saying "oh, so do you want these people to roam the streets and do it again, is that what you want?!", asking questions which clearly didn't need answering.

Please help me on this, I really don't know what to do :( +Rep for help.

[Corporal]

Witness protection stops things like this.
Have you explainned this to the police?
also has it gone to court already?

[Titch]

My brother had to do this with the rail police when he was mugged at the station, he went and did it, and it went to court and the evidence was shown but the video was not shown in front of witness as at the time he was under 18, so the video was just shown to judge.

You should be find, your better off helping get them of streets!

and i am not just saying it cus i live in kent and dnt wanna get mugged lol.

[Wahey]

Yeah, just do it, they probs won't touch you

[ToxicPaddy]

Thank you for your suggestions, I completely agree with you all but I wish mum would listen.

[Lost]

IF THAT WAS ME IT WOULD BE WITNESS PROTECTION!!

[ToxicPaddy]

I'm going to ask about the witness protection tomorrow, I know what it is but what does it exactly do?

[J0SH]

I had to give video evidence in court, it's fine if they see your face, as your under 18 you can't go in the dock anyway, and if they are released after a prison fee police I'm sure can give you safe house etc if you fear for your safety.

[Catzsy]

Faced with video evidence it is likely that they will plead guilty anyway - they usually wait until the hearing though so it means that they are at liberty
for longer in case they have to serve a prison sentance.

I can understand what your Mum is saying but also say to her there is no guarantee that they won't come back if you don't do the video as then they will see you as a real soft touch. Best to give evidence and get them off the streets I feel.

[Stephen!]

It's just a few people. It's not like they are members of a mob.

[ToxicPaddy]

It's just a few people. It's not like they are members of a mob.

They can get other people pretty easily. +rep for all help

[N!ck]

Witness protection is a bit extreme. It involves your family moving away and living under a new, false name and identity.

[J0SH]

I was so pissed off when I gave evidence, we went to court, I spoke to the barister for about an hour, watched both videos that was about an hour too then it goes to retrial! The jury were so thick, the guy who even got stabbed said the guy did it (it was in my kitchen) yet they couldn't come to a decision, so I've gotta go back on June 1st :P Imagine if this guy goes guilty, I guess I'll need to move away lol :P

[Bun]

just do it. they aren't going to come after you, 'cos they know you'll just go to the police again.

[Ostinato]

Obviously I can understand your mum and nans apprehension and they obviously just want you to be safe.

But at the end of they day, they boys should be punished for what they did to you. Surely if they are then they will be less inclined to come batter you or that anyway because they know you have no hesitation to go to the police about it and get it dealt with anyway.

I would defo do it. Get back what is yours and get those sods punished.

[Nixt]

When you are asked to attend court you can speak to your solicitor / barrister and explain you do not want to be seen. When I did work experience at the Crown Court an older woman did not want to see the man who raped her so a screen was erected so only the Judge and Jury could see her. Similarly, when I was sat in on a case where a minor was giving evidence via video link and they were allocated a certain court where the television screens were not visible to the defendant. This is a reasonable request to make and I am pretty sure they will do their best for you. Of course the defendant(s) can still hear you.

I would go for it, at the end of the day it is the intimidation you speak of that they rely on to get away with things like this. If you stand your ground and go for it then they may well think twice about doing it again. They're bullies, and bullies don't like people who stand up to them.

[ToxicPaddy]

Well I've done it. I went to the safehouse thing, they explained everything and they said video evidence would be better because then I don't have to go to court in person, they just play the video. It was surprisingly easier than I thought it would be. Thanks for all your help :) +rep all

[Mint]

It's just a few people. It's not like they are members of a mob.
Just because they wasn't with a mob at the time doesn't mean they aren't in 1?

just do it. they aren't going to come after you, 'cos they know you'll just go to the police again.
Not if he's dead.