cresta57

Today has marked the end of the most upsetting un-nerving and downright frightening experience of my adult life. My faith in the justice system here lies in tatters and I for one can't wait to leave the town I've called home for 35 yrs.
Two years ago whilst babysitting for a family friend our daughter who had just turned 15 was seriously sexually assaulted by our friends new husband. She was out at work and he'd returned home early, I'll spare the graphic details suffice to say they fell short in the judges words of "actual penetration."
She had to fight her way out of the house and in the process physically bit lumps out of his leg and arm, he was arrested and denied any wrong doing claiming she had assaulted him. Despite overwhelming evidence including forensics he continued to stall the trial for as long as he could. Six weeks ago judgement day arrived and to his visible shock every witness turned up at court, he waited until proceedings had begun and changed his plea to guilty, thankfully saving us and our daughter from having to go through giving evidence. [the reality was to avoid a custodial sentence]
Today was his sentencing and as he'd delayed the trial for 2 years the case was considered an "old one" his barrister pleaded he was a good lad (he's 34) and had been no trouble since. In fact he's been harassing his now ex-wife for the entire time trying to get her to retract her statement. He's been charged but not with witness intimidation. The charge is harassment and as such could not be mentioned today [who's blunder was that?]
In summing up the judge decided that as a result of the assault he had lost his marriage, his job, his marital home, his car, he'd had nightmares about gaol and had to suffer the "stigma" of signing the sex offenders register for the next 5 yrs. The geriatric old fart then decided that was punishment enough and let him go. At that point we were verbally attacked by his family in the gallery and had to be escorted from the building by armed police while they threatened to kill us and petrol bomb our house all this in front of the entire court.
He is at this moment sitting in my local 100 yards from my front door telling all who will listen that he's going to get "even" I feel like shooting the tosser but that would make me no better than him. The police are powerless until he acts so until we leave town it's never going to be over for us. I'm more than aware that equally as heinous crimes are committed the world over and the assault was only a small factor in our plans to emigrate but now I just want to get my family as far away from here as possible. I can't protect them here and the justice system in my opinion had more sympathy for his subsequent hardship than for the trauma my daughter still suffers.
Sean
P.S. Just re-read this and spell checked it and feel loads better for the rant, it's probably saved me going to gaol myself.

tom's mum

Dear Sean and Debbie,

I was appalled but not shocked at what you have had to go through. The situation in the UK is definately getting worse with the criminals winning all the time. Did he get his name put on the sex offenders register? or has he got away with that too? Your daughter must have been badly traumatised and he is sitting pretty. It sucks.

Have you got your visa's? Look forward to your new life and although it will be hard to do, put the past behind you. You all deserve to have a fab new life away from SCUM like him.

Helen

paulf

Right, get on to your solicitor and get a restraining order which will have an exclusion zone so he can't sit in the local, also ask about a civil action against the paedophile, it maybe you can still get some compensation from the Barstard.

Poppy

What can I say, I am outraged and only hope that the b****** scum gets his come uppance. I can only imagine what you have all been going through and really do feel for you.

Once departed, you could always call a man with cash!!!

I hope that you do get away and wish you and your family lots of luck and happiness now and for the future.

Wishing you the best of everything

Poppy.

hevs

Sean and Debbie
My heart goes out to you and your daughter. Having a daughter of my own i can only just begin to imagine what you must have been through
I wish you all lots of hope and happiness in your new lives.
Heather

earlswood

I'm so sorry Sean and Debbie,

I just hope you soon start your new life and can put it all behind you especially your poor daughter, my Becky is 14 and I just can't imagine what you have gone through. I fully agree with Paul I couldn't bear the thought of him 100yds away!!!!

Be safe

Earlswood

ellen1

hi

so sorry to hear the injustice you have suffered.
your daughter has been through a terrible time (as yourselves have too) too many monsters get away with this sort of thing, the only thing that you may take some solice in is the fact he is on the sex offenders register and it will impact on future jobs and relationships, and when ever there is an offence committed within the area he lives, he will undoubtedly be called in for questioning, his neighbours will always have concerns and if he moves and people find out he will be labled. i know its not much comfort but with out sounding patronising my gran always used to say "god dosn't pay his debts with money"

my thoughts are with you all, and all the best for your future life in oz, where you'll never have to see his sick, smug face again


regards
ellen

TimEh?

I have a 15-year-old daughter. I grieve for you. The justice system everywhere, it seems, is catering more for the offender than for the victim.

suffolkdiva

What can I say?

I'm so so sorry that this happened at all, and feel outraged by what has happened to you all today. Anybody with children cannot fail to be upset.

All the best for the future for you guys, and lets hope you get to start living your new life with a fresh start soon.


Lots of love

joh117

I am really sorry. I gave up on the justice system when my friend was attacked by her ex boyfriend he bit her nose and it was charged with ABH but when it got to court CID turned up and got him off as he is a witness in a murder charge so they did a deal he would be a witness if CID kept him out of jail.

That has happened twice in as many months. The law stinks.

Hope its not long till you start your new life in Oz!

Jo

CROSSY

Tossers like this dont deserve any thing less than being dragged into the street and shot, i have two daughters and can only imagine the trauma caused by this kind of thing. So sorry you have to live through this.

sally1968

I was horrified to read what your daughter and the rest of your family have been put through. As a parent myself i can't begin to imagine how you have got through this awful time.

I just pray that you will all be able to get away soon and start afresh.

Please give all my best to your amazingly brave daughter.

Best wishes Sally and family

dotty

I was terribly sorry to hear your experience. It brought back horrible memories for us. Friend of our kids was a tiny 15 year old girl, she constantly complained of abuse from her mothers boyfriend, sexual and physical abuse. Social workers, school, other parents seemed to get nowhere with this guy. Nobody here ever seems to want to know till its too late.

She died almost two years ago. He battered her to death then threw her overboard while on a sailing trip. I understand they never found her tiny body she would have been taken by sharks here.

He walked free for many many months denying everything. He is now in custody but it may be years before we know his final fate.
Lets hope he spends more time in Jail than the 17 year old here who spent just 18 months in correction for raping a 79 year old woman.

I sincerely hope your daughter can move on, moving away sounds very wise. I just wish our tiny friend could have the same opportunity. Help your girl move on, dont let this monster taint the rest of her life.

terryg

Sean and Debbie

I am amazingly horrified with your story and my thoughts are with you. Personally, I don't think I could handle the situation and I would end up doing something I would regret. Getting away would be the best option for me and I hope it is for you too.

Terry

ace ventura

I feel so sorry for you and your family,hopefully australia will be the fresh start you deserve