Comments on: Majid Ahmed: When is a Referral Order Spent? Should the Innocent Ever Plead Guilty?

By: Jayne

Jayne — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 18:48:29 +0000

From Birmingham UK. Same thing has happened to my daughter had a order when 14. was advised at the time swhe wouldnt have a criminal record.
Its 2010 now and we have had to have a crb check done for college and guess what its on there……I need to know how to get it removed ive spoken to law firm who we had the advice from and they have advised to write to police. Any suggestions please.

By: Tracey Gregory

Tracey Gregory — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 11:41:52 +0000

i also agree, my son is 15 and was arrested for robbery and attempted robbery when he had no involment what so ever he helped the victims on that night and stayed with them but the police still arrested him and he was made to plead guilty this is disgusting in my eyes but in the YOC the judge said he knew right from wrong he was put in a situation what he thought he was doing right but still ended up with a refferal order this makes me so mad even the youth offeners said that he was wrongly charged and the panel said they would have done the same thing so dont let people think he did the wrong thing because he did not how can we come back from this it makes my blood boil

By: Richard Taylor

Richard Taylor — Tue, 11 May 2010 20:20:08 +0000

Today there are reports of someone not being able to become an accountant having been convicted, by a district judge, of writing an “indecent, obscene or menacing” tweet - a joke.

http://whythatsdelightful.wordpress.com/2010/05/11/prague-1965/

There is a real problem when the courts don’t realise they’re destroying people’s careers or potential careers.

By: punni

punni — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:12:08 +0000

if anyone knows how he was able to get solicitors to fight his case and who they were, i would like that information. my heart goes out to all the underprivileged who try to make an honest buck in their lives.

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:44:54 +0000

Manchester Police are appealing against an Information Commissioner ruling requiring them to delete old records. I think we need to allow people to reform; records of minor offences (and even encounters with the police) ought not be kept indefinitely.

By: Anonymous (Email Sumbitted)

Anonymous (Email Sumbitted) — Wed, 27 May 2009 11:55:00 +0000

I have a similar problem. When my son was 16 I allowed him to go out with his friend on his 18 birthday. They were involved in an argument in a night club with 3 boys, one threw a drink over my son and his friend got very drunk. On leaving the club the three youths followed my son and his friend and a fight started which was captured on CCTV my sons Friend kicked one of the boys a nasty kick, but my son at this point was down the street.

My son was charged with joint enterprise a total fabrication. I have our solicitors letter 2 days before trial stating he should be acquitted. On day of trial solicitor broke his leg. A barrister stepped in representing us and said my son should plead guilty, I was fuming. I was told if I objected and my son was proved guilty he would face 6 months in detention centre.
I was hysterical asked for the trial to be delayed and was told it had to proceed and not to worry he would only receive a referral order and he would have a clean record, once he completed the supervision order. He also had 12 months on the order and a £500 fine.

6 years have passed and we tried to let it pass and move forward. That was until last week when my son had an argument with a traffic warden, whom was trying to book him, when he was parked legally. He made a mistake and swore at the warden and she reported him to the police. The first thing the police officer said was “Oh I see you have a had problems before” my son stated it was 6 years ago and was he was given a referral order.

I have since spoken to the officer who told me, my son will end up in prison with his attitude and if I carry on causing a fuss it will only make things worse.

I am horrified. Has this become a police state.

My son has run a successful business for the past 5 years he pays tax, rates, life insurance, health insurance, van insurance and we made the mistake, his dad and I as he was a minor of letting him accept a guilty plea when he was innocent.
I have since found out the barrister also worked for the crown prosecution service and one member of the panel of magistrates knew my son. We are making criminals out of children and it must be stopped.I have spent 5 days researching other cases.