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General => The Shed => Topic started by: Margaret on November 21, 2005, 21:15:33

Title: Justice for Mark
Post by: Margaret on November 21, 2005, 21:15:33
Hi all.I now can update you on the end result of the saga with my nephew who was attacked by a bully at school ,the result of which was a broken arm.

For a long time the yob was pleading it was accidental,but after much dedicated work on behalf of the police,he finally changed his plea to guilty.Things seemed to happen very quickly after that and last week the case came to court.Thankfully it meant that Mark did not have to attend.He was convicted of GBH and given a years probation.Not a punishment,but at least he now has a criminal record.His parents were fined £130 costs which were awarded to my sister,and £20 court costs.The money my sister recieved has been used to replace the school uniform that had to be cut off Mark when they treated him in hospital.

Having suffered months of pain and discomfort he has now had the pin removed and it is almost back to normal after physiotherapy.The yob is still at school but keeps well out of Mark's way!Shame it had to come to him being hurt before something was done.Thankfully it was no worse,some cases are truly awful.Bullying is a dreadful thing,i was bullied at school,and we are talking 40 years ago,so it seems nothing has changed.

Thanks to all of you for your interest in what happened.
Title: Re: Justice for Mark
Post by: Lily on November 21, 2005, 21:26:00
I wish Mark well and hope that you and your family can now move on and get back to some normality in life.

Best Wishes

Lily
Title: Re: Justice for Mark
Post by: Carol on November 21, 2005, 21:28:01
Thanks for telling us Margaret.  I have been wondering if the case ever came to court.  Probation eh?  easy option I suppose but then he does have a criminal record.  Hope Mark recovers from all this needless stress he was put through.  Surely he can try and put it all behind him now and get back to enjoying whatever he does.

Title: Re: Justice for Mark
Post by: redimp on November 21, 2005, 22:03:41
Mark should now either pursue compensation from the bully (if he or his family have means) or if that is not likely to pay he should seek compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.  He suffered an injury and is due some recompense that and the pain he suffered through no fault of his own - will come in useful if going to college eventually as well.
Title: Re: Justice for Mark
Post by: Mrs Ava on November 21, 2005, 22:41:44
Thank you for updating us Margaret, and I am pleased for you, Mark and your family that there has been justice.  I detest bullies, and kids can be so very cruel!  Did Mark ever get to do the work experience he missed because of his injuries?
Title: Re: Justice for Mark
Post by: Tulipa on November 22, 2005, 07:47:01
Margaret I am really pleased for Mark, so often bulllies get away with it, it is good to know the lad now has a criminal record for what he did.  There is so much bullying goes on these days.  I saw someone very upset in school yesterday, thankfully the teacher was dealing with it and giving the miscreants a good telling off as he had walked in on it. 

I think there should be some sort of nationally agreed sanctions for certain actions so all schools treat bullies the same.  The Government stipulate the National Curriculum and all sorts of other things in school these days, could there not be a set system of penalties in schools for different types of bullying?
Title: Re: Justice for Mark
Post by: Mimi on November 22, 2005, 07:54:48
Thanks for the update Margaret.  So often bullying goes unnoticed and some schools do nothing about it.  I am so glad this had some conclusion for your nephew and your family.  Hope that it doesn't have long lasting effects on Mark.  Bones can heal but emotional wounds take time, poor lad.
Title: Re: Justice for Mark
Post by: aquilegia on November 22, 2005, 09:10:32
That is good news Margaret - justice at last.

I'm glad Mark's physio is working too.
Title: Re: Justice for Mark
Post by: Margaret on November 23, 2005, 11:42:24
Thankyou,folks.It was a juvenile court,and he went overboard on the apologies,that is probably why he got let off so lightly.Annoying but it has certainly stopped him in his tracks.

Mark did do the work experience and loved it.He has been enquiring at a college and is now working hard to get the grades needed to get on to a graphic design course,so fingers crossed.

He WILL get Criminal Injuries Compensation,the police helped them fill in the form,but it apparently can take quite a while.
Title: Re: Justice for Mark
Post by: RSJK on November 23, 2005, 19:11:03
Glad things have been sorted Margaret, I wish you and your family all the best.
Title: Re: Justice for Mark
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on November 23, 2005, 22:10:41
I'm currently in the last stages of a claim with CICA over an incident where a classroom door was kicked into my head. It takes time but it's worth it.
Title: Re: Justice for Mark
Post by: lorna on November 24, 2005, 18:44:01
Would like to wish Mark all the very best for the future.
Title: Re: Justice for Mark
Post by: Plocket on November 24, 2005, 19:17:12
What a strong and brave boy Mark must be. I was bullied at school and it's a terrible thing to endure, or even watch being endured. Thank goodness one of the many has been bought to justice.
Title: Re: Justice for Mark
Post by: adam04 on November 24, 2005, 19:21:02
thats good M.

its sad to hear things like this, but at the same time i have to say bullying isnt as common as most papers will make up. i know in my school, i dont see it. and as a prefect were the ones who ahve to look out for it, but it doesnt seem to happen very much. its just the confined cases like your nephew, but the point in the whole thing is wayyyy beyond me!!
Title: Re: Justice for Mark
Post by: ellkebe on November 25, 2005, 20:38:14
Great news Margaret - and to echo Plocket, Mark is a kid to be proud of.  It takes real character to see something like this through as a child.  I'm sure you've all heaped loads of praise on him, but add some from us too  :)