Fury as goth attack allegation dropped
THE goth assaulted at The Met at the last gothic weekend has hit out at police and the Crown Prosecution Service for not telling her the case had been dropped.
The woman, who we decided not to identify at the time, alleged a man in his 50s or 60s shoved his hand up her skirt and grabbed her crotch as she was talking with friends.
The woman, from the north east, said: "After hearing nothing from the police I e-mailed them asking for information.
"A nice policeman called me from Whitby asking if I had changed my address.
"I said I hadn't and he told me that on 17 January the CPS had decided not to pursue the matter due to lack of evidence.
"I've heard nothing from the CPS and the policeman was annoyed as he said I should have been the first person they contacted.
"I don't even know if the other girl who was a victim has heard anything – they should have contacted me.
"The main thing is awareness of this has been highlighted.
"I will be complaining to the CPS but at least the word is out that we won't stand for that kind of thing at Whitby."
A local goth Caroline Carlin (40) said she was also assaulted.
The mum-of-one from Hinderwell said a man tried to grab her private parts but couldn't reach because she was wearing stilettos.
"The police have been really good since, they kept in touch with me and they told me it was dropped.
"I think it is a real shame now that non-goths won't be able to go the events.
"It's really interesting meeting people from all over.
"I've met Americans and my Austrian friends will be joining me this time.
"It's a shame now that non-goths won't be able to mix with us at The Met as they liked to pop in for a drink and a chat but now if they want to, they'll need to buy a ticket.
"It's great at The Met – a really good atmosphere.
"At the end of the day I was not hurt or injured.
"But I'm disappointed the CPS has decided to drop it and I think it's terrible that the other woman wasn't informed.
A spokeswoman from the CPS said: "This case was looked at in some detail and it was found there was not enough evidence to charge the alleged defendant.
"In these cases it is the responsibility of the police to inform the claimants of the decision, not the CPS.
"These decisions are not taken lightly."
Whitby Inspector Dave Barf said: "The issue of whether or not to pursue a prosecution rests with the CPS.
"Personally I will be disappointed if it's the case that we've not kept an individual updated as to the progress of their case as I feel that this is most important.
"I'll be looking to see if that's the situation in this case."
_________________
”Puritanism: The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy." ~H. L. Mencken
@themorrigan1972
Subject: Fury as goth attack allegation dropped 
Sun Apr 26, 2009 3:56 pm
