If you haven't done so already, find the Lucy Faithfull website and call their helpline. They're very understanding and reassuring, and you'll feel a lot less alone. If you have a partner or other family member going through this, get them to use it too, for exactly the same reasons.

Back in the day they told me (correctly) that for a first offence I had about zero chance of going to prison. Prisons have only got more overcrowded since then.

As others have said, media coverage is something of a lucky dip. *But*, these days the local rags only seem to publish if the story has something extra - a local councillor, a repeat offender, or whatever. Small-time, unremarkable downloaders aren't interesting enough anymore. There was a journalist in court for my sentencing and I *still* didn't appear in the media, because he was there to cover another story.

You're going through the worst stage of the process now, and it does get better. Don't torture yourself with what-ifs, stay realistic.

Best luck.

One key thing I would advise, is not to over think the situation. It is scary, and it is unpredictable.
Follow what you have been told to do, take the time to reflect on what changes need to be made in your life. Pursue something new to keep yourself distracted and something else to focus on, especially when there are times you feel stressed over something you can not control at particular times.
I think it is unfair you are being suspended from work until there has been an out come, Police should definitely not have told them but then that would depend on what work you do.
Try your best and keep it together, not only for yourself but for your child also, the last thing you want is for your child to see how much all this is affecting you. 

When it comes to the media, its a bit of a pot luck. They are either there, or they are not. If they are, you can avoid getting pictures taken by remaining inside the courts for 30 - 60 mins. I doubt they will hang around outside to long, but this is never guaranteed.
Given the evidence so far, along with other similar cases (including my own) the chances of getting a custodial sentence are slim. They could very well only give you a Police Caution which would avoid the courts all together, but I believe you would be expected to be given a SHPO and to sign the register for 2 years. If it does end up going to court, first you will be brought to Magistrates to make your plea. Then it will likely get pushed to Crown, either for sentencing or for trial depending how you plea.

Only other thing I can suggest is to keep doing your own research, having a very good understanding of the Smith ruling (providing your solicitors actually understand it also) should help make a SHPO proportionate.

Hi Castiel,

Thank you for sharing your story so far. I hope you don’t mind me piggy backing off your post as I’m in a similar situation. I’m scared and confused and it’s been really hard.

For background my Knock was in November, arrested interviewed, I was bailed for lack of evidence pending investigation of devices. 1 device came back with evidence of IIOC, I returned for bail interview where images found were discussed. I’ve now been rebailed again for the 3rd time waiting on the rest of the devices. I just don’t know what to expect. I have a child I can’t live at home I was suspended from work because the police told them. I can only have supervised contact. I’m so alone and scared. I have a solicitor but don’t feel very informed. Everything for more information is another costly meeting.
Have No category A images hardly any B and some C and something called publishing an Obscene article because of inappropriate conversations.

If anyone can assure me on what to expect and any advice for dealing with all of this. I’m praying for minimal punishment. I just don’t want custodial and want to keep all this strictly need to know but you’ve all freaked me out that it’s going to end up in the media. Do local media attend all hearings and publish what they learn.
Trying to understand the Criminal justice system has been hard having never been arrested before.

Any key things anyone thinks I should know or to understand id be very grateful.

Thank you.

Mine have always been plain clothes. They have always been nice and friendly. It really depends. One time they didnt come round for two years. Then they came round towards the end of last year and now they just turned up again. Thats less than 6 months apart. Kind of a joke really. They also stuck a USB into my laptop and PC and used software to scan my system. Thats never been done before so must be a new thing. But yeah they went on there way that was that. No doubt ill see them in a few months time. Ive not got long to go now till its over though. 

They will look through your gallery, videos, pictures saved (likely not all of them but just a glance)
Text messages, whatsapp messages, check to see what other apps you have (snapchat for example which you should avoid if given a SHPO)
Depending how good the PPU is with tech, might check more settings parts of your phone, data usage for example, accounts logged into the phone
Will check your internet browsing history, ask which browsers you use as some apps do not save history (duckduckgo)

It really all comes down to the PPU and if they actually know what they are doing, which is rare.
I would recommend before you are given any SHPO or get told to sign the SOR, back up all your important stuff, factory reset the phone and use the bare minimum, make sure all accounts for apps (if they require a name) are in your real name as some PPU can be uptight depending on how a SHPO is worded.
Any name that is not your name make a list and give it when you sign the SOR, if given a SHPO it MAY include a phrase "not to use aliases online" which might cause some issue if not using real name but again, it depends on how uptight the PPU are.
My first PPU had a list of names I used online and he had no problem with me using them, because I had already given them. my second PPU was ok with them at first, but after applying to discharge my SHPO he became adamant to restrict me further to try and set me up to fail forcing me to change my names on google, restricting me from using playstion as I could not change my name on there.

The official guidance says plain clothes officers in an unmarked car. What they look for is up to them, but I'd guess images, videos, chat messages and also browsing history if you don't have monitoring software on a device.

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If you are to punish a man retributively you must injure him. If you are to reform him you must improve him. And men are not improved by injuries. (George Bernard Shaw)

Thank you folks 

With regards to them coming to check my phone etc, what kind of things do they look for? Also will it be plain clothes police? And how often do they visit?

:/ 

You could also try the list of Ban the Box employers, as a few of those are clear that they don't ask at all.

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If you are to punish a man retributively you must injure him. If you are to reform him you must improve him. And men are not improved by injuries. (George Bernard Shaw)

Smaller employers tend to be a better bet than larger ones, because they do not have an HR department. We have seen a lot of examples of people who get through the interview, only to be blocked by HR.

Having a conviction does make looking for work much much harder, limiting what you can apply for but not impossible. My previous work coach at the job center would tell me many stories, he spoke of one individual with an indefinite SOPO / SOR. 20 years in to his conviction he was able to remain in work, I do not recall fully if he mentioned he had the same job for that length of time or if it was a job he got more recently. But he was able to get the SOPO discharged and I believe he is taking steps to get taken off the SOR. And his employer has been a massive support.

It is not uncommon that most employers will (and do) wash hands of those with any kind of conviction. Sometimes it is required depending on the conviction and job role. But on rare occasions there are employers out there who will see past the conviction and only focus on your skills / experience if you can legally work there. (Does not breach the SHPO / SOR)
Remember, despite what police, probation may tell you. If you are not asked about convictions (verbally or in application forms), if the job does not require a DBS check, you do not have to disclose convictions even if unspent.

However, being open and honest might have some benefits as well. It really all comes down to the employer and how understanding they are and willingness to give people chance.

One thing I have been told to consider given my time off work is self employment, I have considered it but I do not feel I have enough experience or skills to go down this path. But perhaps in time, maybe you could?

Im the same, i have no idea what im going to do for work once i have a conviction 

Regards
Kraken

Thank you for the replies folks

For those of you that did lose your jobs,what did you do? I've never not worked and the thought scares me. Did you manage to find work? Is there any roles to specifically look at?

This next bit seems so daunting and bleak :/ 

How do you cope?

Luckily I managed to get my indefinite Sopo removed 9 years ago next week. Before then they did all they could to trip me up, including costing me a different job and I believe trying to arrest me for something (I don't know what) made up an hour or so after my Sopo was removed by the judge.

They didn't as I was on my way to the airport. But I don't think they ever really want rehabilitation, just to keep you in a box.

in my case (a while ago too) on my first home visit (few days after the sentence), they said to me that I didn't need to tell my employer. I never felt more relieved. Also, they never checked my devices

It was quite a while ago for me, but when I was convicted the police told me I had to tell my employers or they would (even though the job I was in the product/service could only be given to adults and the company could only employ adults).

I was lucky nothing ever got promoted but I would have lost my job. I just told the police that I had informed my employers and hoped they would be too lazy to check. Luckily for me they were too lazy to check.

Images are (nowadays) quite often released of offenders, and to my knowledge the release of such images isn't limited only to sentences of 12 months or more.

There is some guidance available to police officers via the college of policing website around the release of custody images, officer BWVC, etc: https://www.college.police.uk/app/engagement-and-communication/media-relations

Generally, my feeling would be that if the media report on a case, they are likely to make a request to the Police for release of the custody image at least - should there be no media interest in the case, the police wouldn't be likely to "self-publish" - although with the prevalence of police forces having "social media teams" and running their own form of media nowadays, I wouldn't rule this out completely.

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All views, opinions & contributions are my own and do not represent the views of Unlock unless specifically stated.

Ive just read that they can but its usualy reserved for murder, 12months or more custodial sentence or or public intrest safety/investigation. 

Also looked on the local police FB and they seem to have only shown the above. 
This gives me a little hope in that respect now, just for the media if they are to post anything.

Regards 

Kraken

Unless you are given a custodial sentence, I do not think Police are allowed to release mug shots.

Except for when someone is known and wanted for questioning.

To be honest i didnt even think about police giving out the mugshot,
I thought they got them from when the police had posted the pic.

Regards
Kraken

Hi

Re pictures quite often the obvious place but sometimes forgotten is the Court House and the Police (note they have given mug shots to the press).

Whenever I went to the Court House I got there early and tried to see if I could spot a photo guy. I did and so approached from behind them therefore keeping my back to them. On leaving I did not rush out of the Court House but went for a cuppa. Then when leaving I again looked remembering if there is not a big case they don't hang about for long.

Other small but important point, I went dressed in a suit and carried a case. this gave the impression I was not a shy offender. 

My photo has never appeared in the papers or media as the above worked and the Police did not provide a picture.

Re work, I think your offence is "images" but whatever it is you have a hard decision.
In my case I didn't tell anyone until I went for sentencing and so managed to work for an extra 2 years.  Even to this date I only tell those that are required to know. However for work and having over 2000 applications unsuccessfully all I can say is be honest and selfish to yourself.

By this I mean do what you feel is right by you as long as you do not hurt anyone else as your life and future prospects has changed and you must adjust.

Good luck with your decision knowing that "the hardest decision is generally the right decision".

Society suggests I must let go of all my expectations but I disagree, as whilst I have a voice, I have hope.

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope is for tomorrow else what is left if you remove a mans hope.
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This forum supports these words, thank you Unlock and your contributors.