2024 – richardhwrote

So what now? From report to court – part ten

After the verdict and sentencing, it took a while for the dust to settle. The last four years of my life had been consumed by the investigation and trial dates.…

Richard Hall June 21, 2024

abuse Clown Prosecution Service CPS

From report to court, part nine – I have a probation worker

In the last email I hope to ever receive from the CPS, they told me what I already knew about Tim’s sentencing, and that The Restorative Justice Team would be…

Richard Hall June 14, 2024

abuse Clown Prosecution Service court

From report to court, part eight – Being on the stand

I didn’t want Jon to be in court with me. As much as knowing he was there would be a comfort, it would also make me conscious of what I…

Richard Hall June 7, 2024

abuse Clown Prosecution Service court

From report to court, part seven – Days in court

The defence barrister, Ms Nadia Chbat, managed to obstruct the rescheduling of the trial for another two months. It wasn’t until the Judge summoned her back to court where she…

Richard Hall May 31, 2024

abuse Clown Prosecution Service court

From report to court, part six – Court Dates one, two, and three

DC Ross completed the case file, and towards the end of 2021 my chosen-country’s borders opened after lockdowns. Getting home was disorienting. My husband had to move apartments while I…

Richard Hall May 24, 2024

abuse from Report to Court police

From report to court, part five – Two become three

By the time England was in the Christmas lockdown of 2020, Alfie was ready to his interview. He made the same choice as me and went on his own, but…

Richard Hall May 17, 2024

abuse from Report to Court police

From report to court, part four – Not alone anymore

DC Ross came back into the interview room with a handful of paperwork. I still hadn’t had it confirmed that the person I was talking about and the article I’d…

Richard Hall May 10, 2024

abuse from Report to Court police

From report to court, part three – Video Recorded Interview

I only had to wait two days for my interview, and in some ways I was glad it wasn’t longer. Not because I was going to get cold feet, they…

Richard Hall May 3, 2024

abuse from Report to Court police

From report to court, part two – Meeting CID

I hadn’t thought I’d sleep, but I woke from a dreamless blackness. I looked at the clock, 06:42. Tonight there’d be police here. The woman who took my call said…

Richard Hall April 26, 2024

abuse from Report to Court police

From report to court, part one – Calling the police

My breath was warm on my hands as I cradled my face. I lifted my head and looked at my phone beside me on the sofa. When I’d sent Alfie…

Richard Hall April 19, 2024

author stories

The Secrets Tree. A short story.

I want to take a break from the serious side of life for a moment, and so I present, The Secrets Tree. The idea for this story came to me…

Richard Hall April 12, 2024

abuse campaigner police

Places of support

On a chilly autumn night in 2020, at around 3 a.m., I walked home talking to my phone. I’d taken to recording my thoughts and feelings. I wasn’t in the…

Richard Hall April 5, 2024

abuse Clown Prosecution Service court

The Sentencing – Consequences of my abusers actions

I closed my book with fifty pages to go. I was reading Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah, and I didn’t want the ending to be clouded by the feelings that…

Richard Hall March 29, 2024

background checks campaigner

How did a paedophile slip through the net to become a local councillor?

I’ve lost count of the amount of DBS checks I’ve had. DBS stands for Disclosure and Barring Service, and it replaced CRB checks, which was Criminal Records Bureau. I had…

Richard Hall March 25, 2024

campaigner

Lazy local journalists

I’d been writing about my past and discussing my history with my sister when I found the article detailing Tim’s conviction. My Siter became the first person to challenge the…

Richard Hall March 19, 2024