What's all this then?
A rather surprising letter came in the post for me today. It was from Lancashire Constabulary and as it started off with a header that said 'Allegation of Criminal Damage 29/04/200' and I wondered what I was being accused of! When I read further, I realised it was actually about the vandalism to my car at the end of April.
Dear Mr Nathaniel [lastname],
I am writing to you to keep you up to date with the progress of our investigation into the above offence.
The offender has now been identified and, after considering their previous history and other relevant factors, a decision has now been taken to record this crime as one that will be 'Taken into consideration (TIC)'.
This means that the offence has been admitted by the person accused but because that person is currently standing trail for another equally serious crime, they have asked for this offence to be 'taken into consideration' when they are sentenced. This means that the judge will pass a sentence for the main offence the person is standing trail for and for offences taken into consideration. This often means an increase in the sentence given.
[stuff about Victim Support]
Yours faithfully
PC [name withheld]
Lancashire Constabulary
Once I'd got over the initial shock of thinking I'd been accused of something, I was then really surprised on several counts. I'd not expected to hear anything further about the incident at all, because when I spoke to the officer whose beat covered the area where it happened, he didn't hold out a great deal of hope of finding the person who'd done it. So to find out that not only have they found the person who did it, but that ze's also standing trial for it (in a roundabout sort of way) and will be punished accordingly is really impressive. Yay for Lancashire Constabulary though, they are obviously damn good at what they do.
It's kind of weird though, thinking that someone is going to be properly sentenced for what they did to my car. I mean, I know it was a crime and not a pleasant experience for me, but apart from being a pain in the arse to fix (and could have been a costly one too), it wasn't a major crime and somehow it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable that someone might go to prison for it. Considering I've worked in various different areas of law enforcement from the police, to the prison service and also in a solicitor's office, you'd think I'd be more accustomed to the idea but I think it's different when you're the actual person being affected/involved. I know it's hir own fault for doing naughty things and getting caught, so why do I feel partially responsible?
Dear Mr Nathaniel [lastname],
I am writing to you to keep you up to date with the progress of our investigation into the above offence.
The offender has now been identified and, after considering their previous history and other relevant factors, a decision has now been taken to record this crime as one that will be 'Taken into consideration (TIC)'.
This means that the offence has been admitted by the person accused but because that person is currently standing trail for another equally serious crime, they have asked for this offence to be 'taken into consideration' when they are sentenced. This means that the judge will pass a sentence for the main offence the person is standing trail for and for offences taken into consideration. This often means an increase in the sentence given.
[stuff about Victim Support]
Yours faithfully
PC [name withheld]
Lancashire Constabulary
Once I'd got over the initial shock of thinking I'd been accused of something, I was then really surprised on several counts. I'd not expected to hear anything further about the incident at all, because when I spoke to the officer whose beat covered the area where it happened, he didn't hold out a great deal of hope of finding the person who'd done it. So to find out that not only have they found the person who did it, but that ze's also standing trial for it (in a roundabout sort of way) and will be punished accordingly is really impressive. Yay for Lancashire Constabulary though, they are obviously damn good at what they do.
It's kind of weird though, thinking that someone is going to be properly sentenced for what they did to my car. I mean, I know it was a crime and not a pleasant experience for me, but apart from being a pain in the arse to fix (and could have been a costly one too), it wasn't a major crime and somehow it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable that someone might go to prison for it. Considering I've worked in various different areas of law enforcement from the police, to the prison service and also in a solicitor's office, you'd think I'd be more accustomed to the idea but I think it's different when you're the actual person being affected/involved. I know it's hir own fault for doing naughty things and getting caught, so why do I feel partially responsible?