------------------------------------- Imagine if you will for a moment, your life is just now starting. Out of school, you are working an overnight job to save enough money so you can go on a road trip with your cousin. Life is wonderful and you couldn't ask for anything to be better. Then one day...that all changes. Your life comes crashing down on you, your freedom stripped from you and your future becomes bleak. This is Simon's story...written by Simon ------------------------------------- My nightmare began May 16th 2006. I was arrested and falsely accused of rape and assault on 3 young girls. I was in total shock how these lies could be said about me. I was taken to Hull Prison on remand where I spent 3 and a half months locked up. It was the most traumatizing time of my life. It was bad enough being locked up but being locked up for something I haven't done was terrifying. 2 of the girls dropped the charges sayin they were all lies, but 1 girl carried on with the lies. A medical was done and nothing was found so charges were changed to attempted rape. I spent months in and out of court trying to get bail, or the case dropped. On August 31st I got granted bail. It was the most relieving feeling ever. I got to see all my family again especially my siblings. My nightmare wasn’t yet over, the trial was November 15th and 16th at York Crown Court. It was then adjourned to a later date so I went back to the bail address. On April 30th another trial date went ahead. It lasted over 3 days. I was found guilty on all charges by 12 individuals who don’t even know me! I wasn’t given a fair trial, it was handled sloppily and the evidence we had wasn’t used. My sister was treated unfairly when she took the stand. I have put in for an appeal and just recently heard we have grounds for one which gives me a glimmer of hope because hope is all I have right now. This whole thing has had a very bad effect on me. I’ve never been a depressed person before until now. I have lost complete trust in the law system. I haven’t found anyone at all who will listen to me except my family. I do have good support from my family and neighbours and from the PAFAA site. I am currently in prison and I have 12 month left, it is so unfair, I shouldn’t be here, I am INNOCENT and it will be proven. I will never give up. Thank you for reading xx Simon

Fact #1 The appointed solicitor assigned to Simon's case had no experience in sexual offense cases. This was his first trial in this area. Fact #2 Simon's side had loads of evidence, more than enough to prove his innocence. Next to none of it was used at trial. Fact #3 With this type of case a child psychologist should have been present at trial. There wasn't. Fact #4 During the trial, Simon's solicitor promised to 'grill' the young girl, he didn't. Fact #5 The young girl's story continued to change during pre-trial interviews. Each time adding a new situation along with the previous. Why not mention all supposed encounters at one time? Fact #6 The young girls mother, has previously accused innocent men of rape herself. (None convicted) Why was none of this brought up? Fact #7 Several neighbors of Simon and his family know of his innocence and believe him. All can and would attest to him being not guilty. Why were none summoned to court as witnesses? Fact #8 Why were the only witnesses called by the defense members of Simon's family? Why weren't there any unbiased witnesses from the neighborhood who knew both Simon and his accuser. Witnesses who had nothing to gain and nothing to lose, who were less likely than a family member to lie in his defense. Fact #9 The jury was literally 'forced' to come to a decision, as called by the judge. Why was a 'hung jury' not allowed? Why were some of the jury members walking out in tears after the verdict? Fact #10 Too much time is put between arrest and trials. Simon was arrested May 2006 and didn't go to trial until the end of April, beginning of May 2007. All this waiting does is allows the opposition time to 'prep and condition' their client into what to say and what not to say.

The judiciary system is made to break people down and prison ruins lives; not only of those who are locked inside them, but also their loved ones who are often made to feel like there is nothing they can do…
www.insidedoubt.co.uk