The press are now attacking the prosecutors for going ahead with the Caroline flack a

sexmag

https://m.independent.ie/incoming/my-heart-is-broken-caroline-flacks-boyfriend-in-emotional-tribute-as-prosecutors-slammed-for-pursuing-assault-case-38960675.html

First of the mark what has happened is a tragedy, I know and I think everyone can agree the British tabloids again have blood on their hands for their treatment of this woman over her personal and legal troubles.

That being said,why on earth are the prosecutors being attacked for doing their job and trying a person who commiter a crime,evidence and photos have been leaked online on the aftermath of the alleged assault with a weapon on her ex and it looks fairly gruesome. They are within their right and the public interest to being a case for alleged domestic violence.

Is this just a tactic of the tabloids to take the heat off themselves?

woohoo!!!

So they're saying that the authorities should not seek to prosecute an alleged case of domestic abuse? They don't care either way so all I'd advise is not to click on their articles and to unfollow folk banging on about it.

DeanAustin

If she did it and there is also a suggestion of previous instances of domestic abuse, they were right to pursue her. I don't want to speak ill of the dead but if she was guilty, she was scum. Domestic abuse against men, for some reason, seems to be treated fairly dismissively by most people.

I said this on another thread and I'll say it here. We can't just stand back and blame the tabloid media. Yes, they are amoral vultures who will write anything to sell a paper but there are a lot of people who rush to buy that sort of voyeurism. Also, the role of social media cannot be overstated. People thinking they can write whatever they like because they are behind a keyboard. Some of the stuff you see posted must be very hurtful for the recipient who, no matter how famous, is still a person.

If we really want to understand the resaons behind Flack's death, a lot of people need to acknowledge the role we played rather than standing around blaming each other.

Whatever I think of Flack, it's terribly sad that a talented 40 year old took her own life. That should never happen.

c montgomery

She's responsible for the charge.

The press are responsible for the constant pressure and scrutiny she was under which ultimately led to her demise.
They have some cheek, luckily their days are numbered. If more people stopped buying red top the less influence they would have.

pure.conya

what kind of world are most of you living in at all? this is literally the first time I've ever heard a single thing about her

Tork

c montgomery wrote: »

She's responsible for the charge.

The press are responsible for the constant pressure and scrutiny she was under which ultimately led to her demise.
They have some cheek, luckily their days are numbered. If more people stopped buying red top the less influence they would have.

I think the vacuum left by the traditional tabloids will be filled by social media. There seems to be a huge need for trashy celebrities and their stories.

Everyone is looking around for a scapegoat in this tragic story. The two main bogeyman are now Lewis Burton for calling 999 after she cracked his head open with a lamp and the meanie authorises who insisted on pressing charges. Both are uncomfortable asides when they try to paint a portrait of poor, troubled Caroline.

FishOnABike

sexmag wrote: »

Is this just a tactic of the tabloids to take the heat off themselves?

There's certainly a lack of self awareness on the part of the press and significant amount of narcistic self interest in deflecting criticism and any blame from their selves.

The cult of celebrity has a high price, Caroline Flack isn't the first and won't be it's last victim. The media (TV and print) needs to look hard in the mirror at how it encourages, builds up and knocks down vulnerable people.

Criticising the prosecution service for doing their job is nothing short of deflecting the blame.

Idbatterim

FishOnABike wrote: »

There's certainly a lack of self awareness on the part of the press and significant amount of narcistic self interest in deflecting criticism and any blame from their selves.

The cult of celebrity has a high price, Caroline Flack isn't the first and won't be it's last victim. The media (TV and print) needs to look hard in the mirror at how it encourages, builds up and knocks down vulnerable people.

Criticising the prosecution service for doing their job is nothing short of deflecting the blame.

This is awful , but if you have no morals, Like the red tops. isn’t this scenario a win / win in terms of clicks and hard copy sales?!

Outlaw Pete

Caroline's mother has said the following in an interview and released with it an instagram post Caroline had apparently written at the end of January but was advised not to post:

"Carrie sent me this message at the end of January but was told not to post it by advisers but she so wanted to have her little voice heard.

"So many untruths were out there but this is how she felt and my family and I would like people to read her own words. Carrie was surrounded by love and friends but this was just too much for her.

"Her friends Molly, Lou, Sam, Liam and Simon need a very special mention and lots of thanks for trying so hard to keep her safe."

"Jody her twin sister was there her whole life for her but this time nothing could take away the hurt of such injustice"

"It was describing how she was feeling and what she had gone through - no more than that. It was not blaming anyone or pointing any fingers.

"We want people to read it and want it to be shared through the EDP who we really trust and always have done."

---

For a lot of people, being arrested for common assault is an extreme way to have some sort of spiritual awakening but for me it's become the normal.

I've been pressing the snooze button on many stresses in my life - for my whole life. I've accepted shame and toxic opinions on my life for over 10 years and yet told myself it's all part of my job. No complaining.

The problem with brushing things under the carpet is .... they are still there and one day someone is going to lift that carpet up and all you are going to feel is shame and embarrassment.

On December the 12th 2019 I was arrested for common assault on my boyfriend... Within 24 hours my whole world and future was swept from under my feet and all the walls that I had taken so long to build around me, collapsed. I am suddenly on a different kind of stage and everyone is watching it happen.

I have always taken responsibility for what happened that night. Even on the night. But the truth is... It was an accident.

I've been having some sort of emotional breakdown for a very long time.

But I am NOT a domestic abuser. We had an argument and an accident happened. An accident. The blood that someone SOLD to a newspaper was MY blood and that was something very sad and very personal.

The reason I am talking today is because my family can't take anymore. I've lost my job. My home. My ability to speak. And the truth has been taken out of my hands and used as entertainment.

I can't spend every day hidden away being told not to say or speak to anyone.

I'm so sorry to my family for what I have brought upon them and for what my friends have had to go through.

I'm not thinking about 'how I'm going to get my career back.' I'm thinking about how I'm going to get mine and my family's life back.

Banana Republic.

The press squirming as usual trying to save themselves, if this had of been a man he'd have been deemed a psycho and loose cannon who was pretending to be nice but he's a woman beater. It's not like it was a slap in the face he got. More men need to come out and stand up to domestic abuse. I know I was in a relationship and it was mental torture that nobody could see that was the worst, luckily I found self worth and got out of there but still have to deal with that person on a weekly basis. At the time I'd no idea how to address " mental abuse". The mortal of the story is it doesn't matter what gender you should be punished for it.

The prosecution are doing their job with the evidence they had, the press are making crap up to sell papers and don't care about the people who suffer because of it. I'm sure the thoughts of prison time destroyed the girl and the press certainly had a hand in it.

I recall a post from Caroline saying she spoke to a supposed "friend" back a few months and was told that she was "draining". With that lack of empathy and support she never really stood a chance to have positive voices to aid get declining mental state.

drunkmonkey

Her boyfriend didn't want it to go ahead, it was a domestic, it wasn't in the public interest, the prosecuteres just wanted a prosecution at all costs they take no responsibility the damage they can do to someone. I'd put the responsibility of her death firmly in the hands of the state she supporterd all her life who turned on her and destroyed her.
This notion that criminal charges are they only way to fix something is barbaric, the first line should be the health services not the gallows.

Banana Republic.

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Her boyfriend didn't want it to go ahead, it was a domestic, it wasn't in the public interest, the prosecuteres just wanted a prosecution at all costs they take no responsibility the damage they can do to someone. I'd put the responsibility of her death firmly in the hands of the state she supporterd all her life who turned on her and destroyed her.
This notion that criminal charges are they only way to fix something is barbaric, the first line should be the health services not the gallows.

Didn't he want to drop the charges cause he seen the effect it was having on her?
Plus I don't call a crack of a Lamp over the head and a head injury just a domestic. We can't excuse it because it's a women hitting a man (in general terms) if it was a domestic her job wouldn't of pulled her out of her job. She must of been facing jail time and add the media to the mix to condemn her to that terrible decision. Nobody wins here nobody.

little bit of help

To be honest that message from her is a complete cop out. I take responsibility but it was an accident? How do you accidently hit someone asleep with a heavy object? Blaming mental health issues and then acting like a victim is not right. The fact that she couldn't accept what she did was wrong is not the media's fault. All this victim blaming is just weird. Yeah if someone battered me while I was asleep sure as hell I'm going to call the police. and lots of domestic abuse victims don't want to press charges afterwards. Doesn't mean it didn't happen.

Jasper79

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Her boyfriend didn't want it to go ahead, it was a domestic, it wasn't in the public interest, the prosecuteres just wanted a prosecution at all costs they take no responsibility the damage they can do to someone. I'd put the responsibility of her death firmly in the hands of the state she supporterd all her life who turned on her and destroyed her.
This notion that criminal charges are they only way to fix something is barbaric, the first line should be the health services not the gallows.

What utter crap. It was her choice to" allegedly" hit her partner over the head with a lamp while he slept, and to be restrained when the police arrived.

There was obviously enough evidence to charge her. By that reckoning anybody who assaults or kills another person has health issues and shouldn't be prosecuted and instead get help. The state did their job, there are victims of abuse everywhere that are too scared/stupid to press charges which is why the state can proceed without their support, and rightfully so in my opinion .

Boggles

Jasper79 wrote: »

There was obviously enough evidence to charge her.

Well no that is not obvious at all in reality. The CPS don't set the threshold at simply charging someone, they have to be reasonably confident of a conviction in court.

Given the 2 people involved disputed the charges and the victim was now "hostile" i.e. a witness for the defense. The probability of a conviction nose dives in these of type cases.

The CPS also has a duty of care to the alleged perpetrator, this is weighed against the severity of the crime, criminal history of the accused and likely hood of re-offending among a whole heap of other things.

Given the crime was common assault which would have been dealt in Magistrates Court, it was on the lower end of severity. Even if found guilty which was not likely, she was looking at a fine and community service at the absolute maximum for a first time offender with no criminal record.

So we know for a fact she killed herself so this immediately nullifies "The Public Interest" threshold, as the public interest does not trump her life.

So yes the CPS will probably have to explain themselves to a Coroner if he/she so wishes. That's not to say they did anything wrong, but to be fair it doesn't look great.

The case opens today AFAIK, which is remarkably fast.

Jasper79

Boggles wrote: »

Well no that is not obvious at all in reality. The CPS don't set the threshold at simply charging someone, they have to be reasonably confident of a conviction in court.

Given the 2 people involved disputed the charges and the victim was now "hostile" i.e. a witness for the defense. The probability of a conviction nose dives in these of type cases.

The CPS also has a duty of care to the alleged perpetrator, this is weighed against the severity of the crime, criminal history of the accused and likely hood of re-offending among a whole heap of other things.

Given the crime was common assault which would have been dealt in Magistrates Court, it was on the lower end of severity. Even if found guilty which was not likely, she was looking at a fine and community service at the absolute maximum for a first time offender with no criminal record.

So we know for a fact she killed herself so this immediately nullifies "The Public Interest" threshold, as the public interest does not trump her life.

So yes the CPS will probably have to explain themselves to a Coroner if he/she so wishes. That's not to say they did anything wrong, but to be fair it doesn't look great.

The case opens today AFAIK, which is remarkably fast.

So you expect them to say, Sure it looks like you clubbed your partner over the head with a lamp, but you probably won't do it again and he doesn't look too bothered about it so we'll just be on our way, good day ?

Raconteuse

The alleged assault was horrific. Mental illness or not, violence is violence. Still sad that someone's daughter/sister/friend took her life though.

Richard Pryor allegedly beat several shades of shyte out of women he was with. Still a comedy genius who has left a remarkable legacy. Still sad that he died early in life. Still sad that he had severe mental health issues.

You can acknowledge her behaviour was disgusting and see a suicide as sad.

And bringing up Chris Brown, whose girlfriend was photographed covered in bruises and with a swollen eye... poor wee Chris. Yeah it would still be sad if he killed himself but he didn't, and may not have had mental health issues, so maybe not the greatest comparison.

Boggles

Jasper79 wrote: »

So you expect them to say, Sure it looks like you clubbed your partner over the head with a lamp, but you probably won't do it again and he doesn't look too bothered about it so we'll just be on our way, good day ?

No I am explaining to you the reality of how the CPS is tasked with doing it's job, or at least should do it's job.

If you want to dumb it down by turning into the comments section from the Daily Mail, then fill your boots.

Jasper79

Boggles wrote: »

No I am explaining to you the reality of how the CPS is tasked with doing it's job, or at least should do it's job.

If you want to dumb it down by turning into the comments section from the Daily Mail, then fill your boots.

So you are saying that they didn't do their job correctly in this case ?

Boggles

Raconteuse wrote: »

Richard Pryor allegedly beat several shades of shyte out of women he was with. Still a comedy genius who has left a remarkable legacy. Still sad that he died early in life. Still sad that he had severe mental health issues.

He was a chronic alcohol and drug addict most of his life, had several heart attacks and multiple sclerosis.

He died at 65.

drunkmonkey

Raconteuse wrote: »

The alleged assault was horrific.

No it wasn't...you'd swear she went at him with a machette the way people in this thread are going on
..tis but a scratch.

Boggles

Boggles wrote: »

Well no that is not obvious at all in reality. The CPS don't set the threshold at simply charging someone, they have to be reasonably confident of a conviction in court.

Given the 2 people involved disputed the charges and the victim was now "hostile" i.e. a witness for the defense. The probability of a conviction nose dives in these of type cases.

The CPS also has a duty of care to the alleged perpetrator, this is weighed against the severity of the crime, criminal history of the accused and likely hood of re-offending among a whole heap of other things.

Given the crime was common assault which would have been dealt in Magistrates Court, it was on the lower end of severity. Even if found guilty which was not likely, she was looking at a fine and community service at the absolute maximum for a first time offender with no criminal record.

So we know for a fact she killed herself so this immediately nullifies "The Public Interest" threshold, as the public interest does not trump her life.

So yes the CPS will probably have to explain themselves to a Coroner if he/she so wishes. That's not to say they did anything wrong, but to be fair it doesn't look great.

The case opens today AFAIK, which is remarkably fast.

Jasper79 wrote: »

So you are saying that they didn't do their job correctly in this case ?

Did you actually read my post? I have highlighted the relevant portion for you.

Raconteuse

Boggles wrote: »

He was a chronic alcohol and drug addict most of his life, had several heart attacks and multiple sclerosis.

He died at 65.

Yes, early in life. My grandad died at 65 and his widow lived for nearly 34 years after he died.

But that's not my point anyway.

Raconteuse

drunkmonkey wrote: »

No it wasn't...you'd swear she went at him with a machette the way people in this thread are going on
..tis but a scratch.

Cracked a lamp over his head while he was sleeping. Of course it was horrific.

Boggles

Raconteuse wrote: »

Yes, early in life. My grandad died at 65 and his widow lived for nearly 34 years after he died.

Yes but did he do 8 balls for breakfast?

Eric Cartman

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

Fook him he beat his partner up, he was nothing but a scumbag who deserved everything they said about him.

Exact same as caroline flack.

Jasper79

Boggles wrote: »

Did you actually read my post? I have highlighted the relevant portion for you.

And you said it doesn't look great for them, I don't see how it doesn't. But that's not for you or I to decide.

Raconteuse

Boggles wrote: »

Yes but did he do 8 balls for breakfast?

Still sad that he died early in life.

But anyway, serious straying from my point, which is that a troubled person being an asshole in life and then killing themselves - can still be sad.

Boggles

Jasper79 wrote: »

And you said it doesn't look great for them, I don't see how it doesn't. But that's not for you or I to decide.

No it is my opinion, obviously.

But if the alleged perpetrator killed themselves in what was a relatively minor case, that is not a great look given the CPS have the legal obligation of a duty of care.

Given the information that continues to filter out, the optics are looking much worse.

I can imagine the Coroners Case could be very interesting / damaging depending on which way they bring it.

blackvalley

DeanAustin wrote: »

If she did it and there is also a suggestion of previous instances of domestic abuse, they were right to pursue her. I don't want to speak ill of the dead but if she was guilty, she was scum. Domestic abuse against men, for some reason, seems to be treated fairly dismissively by most people.

I said this on another thread and I'll say it here. We can't just stand back and blame the tabloid media. Yes, they are amoral vultures who will write anything to sell a paper but there are a lot of people who rush to buy that sort of voyeurism. Also, the role of social media cannot be overstated. People thinking they can write whatever they like because they are behind a keyboard. Some of the stuff you see posted must be very hurtful for the recipient who, no matter how famous, is still a person.

If we really want to understand the resaons behind Flack's death, a lot of people need to acknowledge the role we played rather than standing around blaming each other.

Whatever I think of Flack, it's terribly sad that a talented 40 year old took her own life. That should never happen.

Severe case of mixed up thinking on display here. Accusing others of writing ' whatever they like' while at the same time suggesting that the person in question was ' scum '.

Laura99

This is beyond ridiculous now. This is being said in hindsight now. I didn't see any calls by the press to not have her prosecuted when the incident happened. They also knew that she had mental health issues, everyone did, she spoke about it several times and had a post about it in October. That didn't stop them publishing articles and stories either. Everyone is playing the blame game to suit themselves.

And using the fact that he didn't want to go ahead with charges as a reason why they shouldn't have pushed ahead is just ignorant. Laws are there for a reason, victims very often recant and go back to their abusers. How many stories have their been of people dying after a protection order was lifted. Maybe that wasn't the case here, maybe she was innocent, we don't know, that's why it goes to trial. They must have felt like they had a enough evidence to try the case at least, otherwise they aren't going to waste time and money on it.

Edit: Also to add, I'm not surprised she was advised not to put out that statement because she likely would have been raked over the coals for trying to downplay the incident as an accident.

Jasper79

Boggles wrote: »

No it is my opinion, obviously.

But if the alleged perpetrator killed themselves in what was a relatively minor case, that is not a great look given the CPS have the legal obligation of a duty of care.

Given the information that continues to filter out, the optics are looking much worse.

I can imagine the Coroners Case could be very interesting / damaging depending on which way they bring it.

But again, if people choose to kill themselves rather than face up to what they have done, She herself called it an "accident" I don't see how/why the CPS would be accountable. Should every pending defendant be put under observation ?

Stevieluvsye

Wash, Rinse, Repeat

Boggles

Jasper79 wrote: »

But again, if people choose to kill themselves rather than face up to what they have done, She herself called it an "accident" I don't see how/why the CPS would be accountable. Should every pending defendant be put under observation ?

Firstly the vast majority of people with severe mental health issues don't "choose" to kill themselves, they feel they have no choice. So maybe be careful with lax musings, it's not fair to people who have been bereaved by suicide who might be reading it.

Secondly, it's not my opinion, the CPS have a legal duty of care to the alleged perpetrator in a criminal case as I have explained all ready.

If you have a problem with their system, you'll need to ask them.

I will say this, do you need a more recent example of why they should thread carefully with issues of mental health and that a criminal route may not be the best?

drunkmonkey

Laura99 wrote: »

Laws are there for a reason

Laws are there to act in the public interest and to punish on behalf of the public.
There was nothing in this case in the public interest to pursue. It was jobsworths trying to secure a prosecution without any care for the damage they were doing.
I'd take a scratch from a lamp any day over being mentally put through the wringer by the state in what is a minor incident, she was not going to jail, she might not even had a conviction but the stress of the state turning on her was obviously too much. They need to be held responsible as their crime is a lot worse than what she done.

Stevieluvsye

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Laws are there to act in the public interest and to punish on behalf of the public.
There was nothing in this case in the public interest to pursue. It was jobsworths trying to secure a prosecution without any care for the damage they were doing.
I'd take a scratch from a lamp any day over being mentally put through the wringer by the state in what is a minor incident, she was not going to jail, she might not even had a conviction but the stress of the state turning on her was obviously too much. They need to be held responsible as their crime is a lot worse than what she done.

What's all this ballix about?

Galwayguy35

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Laws are there to act in the public interest and to punish on behalf of the public.
There was nothing in this case in the public interest to pursue. It was jobsworths trying to secure a prosecution without any care for the damage they were doing.
I'd take a scratch from a lamp any day over being mentally put through the wringer by the state in what is a minor incident, she was not going to jail, she might not even had a conviction but the stress of the state turning on her was obviously too much. They need to be held responsible as their crime is a lot worse than what she done.

What are you smoking this morning?

People need to be held accountable for their actions, nodody is suggesting she should have been thrown in jail but she should have had her day in court to answer for what happened as well as getting the help she needed for her mental health issues.

drunkmonkey

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

What are you smoking this morning?

People need to be held accountable for their actions, nodody is suggesting she should have been thrown in jail but she should have had her day in court to answer for what happened as well as getting the help she needed for her mental health issues.

In who's interest was the day in court, neither her or her boyfriend wanted it, so it was the state V's Caroline working on our behalf, I'd certainly no interest in seeing it pursued. Maybe others think it was worth it hope there happy with the outcome.

Blanco100

drunkmonkey wrote: »

In who's interest was the day in court, neither her or her boyfriend wanted it, so it was the state V's Caroline working on our behalf, I'd certainly no interest in seeing it pursued. Maybe others think it was worth it hope there happy with the outcome.

But dont you realise it would be quite common for a partner/spouse to drop charges against their abuser no?

Outlaw Pete

Amazed people can have such strong views either way tbh, given that there are so many unanswered questions.

Of what we do know, I do think that whoever it was that leaked that photo to the media (of the blood soaked bed sheets) should be sacked, at the very least.

If the blood (or at least the vast vast majority of it) had not come from the wound which Caroline inflicted on Lewis, which we're now being led to believe, then I think the police had an obligation to make that known (via a statement perhaps) given that it was the photo of the blood being leaked which allowed that narrative to run.

As for if the CPS should or should not have prosecuted her, that would all depend on EXACTLY what happened and right now I don't think we truly know. Just because in the heat of drunken row Lewis said that she tried to kill him, doesn't make it so.

Clearly she was violent towards him but the extent it seems may have been exaggerated, if that pic put out by Lewis is anything to go by at least. Either way, sad that she felt so low that hanging herself seemed to her to be the answer.

joe40

drunkmonkey wrote: »

In who's interest was the day in court, neither her or her boyfriend wanted it, so it was the state V's Caroline working on our behalf, I'd certainly no interest in seeing it pursued. Maybe others think it was worth it hope there happy with the outcome.

Are you seriously suggesting that domestic abuse cases or any kind of assault cases should only be pursued by the courts if the person assaulted wishes to bring charges.
That was the problem in the past when domestic abuse victims had very little protection.
I know the specifics of this case are terrible but the legal system is not at fault.
Look to the press and society of celebrity culture to see where blame lies.

osarusan

drunkmonkey wrote: »

In who's interest was the day in court, neither her or her boyfriend wanted it, so it was the state V's Caroline working on our behalf

How far do you take that argument though. If a terrified partner doesn't want to press charges against the violent partner who beat the crap out of them (and left them in hospital for example), should the state still be dropping the charges?


There must be a limit to how much influence the wishes of the victim have on the prosecution's decision-making process. The victim is not their only concern, the wider public are too.


The other side of that is the prosecution must justify that there is a wider public interest too - there must be a limit to the power of their decision-making process also.

drunkmonkey

Blanco100 wrote: »

But dont you realise it would be quite common for a partner/spouse to drop charges against their abuser no?

Was she an abuser, I didn't see that anywhere.

lawred2

drunkmonkey wrote: »

In who's interest was the day in court, neither her or her boyfriend wanted it, so it was the state V's Caroline working on our behalf, I'd certainly no interest in seeing it pursued. Maybe others think it was worth it hope there happy with the outcome.

So the state in your mind should ignore domestic incidents because you've no personal interest..

piplip87

drunkmonkey wrote: »

In who's interest was the day in court, neither her or her boyfriend wanted it, so it was the state V's Caroline working on our behalf, I'd certainly no interest in seeing it pursued. Maybe others think it was worth it hope there happy with the outcome.

Yes but these laws are place to gain a prosecution where the victim may be too scared to testify or bring charges. It's actually a very good law

Marcos

Raconteuse wrote: »

Cracked a lamp over his head while he was sleeping. Of course it was horrific.

I think it's time to look at some of the evidence presented in court on 23rd December.

The 40-year-old is accused of attacking Lewis Burton as he slept after seeing texts on his phone, sparking a “breathless” 999 call when he pleaded for police to help him and warned “she tried to kill me”.

Officers likened the scene to a “horror movie” when they found both Flack and her partner bloodied at her £1.1 million north London home, Highbury Corner magistrates court heard today.

It is said Flack continued to hurl abuse at her boyfriend as she was quizzed by police, threatening to kill herself before she flipped over a table and was pinned to the ground by officers.

“When police came to the door it was opened by a male and female – both were covered in blood”, said prosecutor Katie Weiss.

“One of the officers likened it to a scene in a horror movie.”

She said Mr Burton claimed he had been asleep when he was hit over the head with a lamp in the early hours on December 12, said the prosecutor.

“He sustained a visible cut to his head, his face was covered with blood,” Ms Weiss said.

“Caroline smashed a glass and she sustained an injury.

“Mr Burton believed the assault occurred as a consequence of the defendant taking a look at his phone while he was asleep.

“She had seen texts which led her to believe he was cheating on her.

“Ms Flack spoke to police and admissions were recorded on the body worn footage.”

Ms Weiss said the 999 call recorded Mr Burton “asking repeatedly for help to be sent to him” and was “almost begging the operator to send help”.

He said Flack was “going mad, breaking stuff”, and could be heard on the call saying Mr Burton had “ruined my life”.

The prosecutor added that after being cautioned Flack said “she will kill herself”, calling Mr Burton an “a*******” and “vile”.

Flack, who stepped down from hosting the new series of Love Island last week amid a storm over her assault charge, today pleaded not guilty to assault and will face a trial over the alleged assault by beating next year.

Mr Burton looked on from the public gallery as she broke down in tears when her lawyer Paul Norris described the effect the criminal case has had on her.

He said Mr Burton had issued a statement through solicitors asking for the case against Flack to be dropped and “never supported the prosecution”.

“He is not a victim, he was a witness”, he said. “He doesn’t support the prosecution, he’s never supported the prosecution and has strong feelings about the hearing this morning.”

However Ms Weiss said the case against Flack will continue despite her boyfriend’s lack of co-operation, with police bodyworn video providing much of the evidence in the case.

So we have a 999 call begging for help as the caller believed she was going to kill him, police body camera evidence and an admission of guilt on camera. But some people are now saying that this doesn't matter and that there was no public interest in prosecuting?

Would they feel the same way if it was the boyfriend who attacked her, admitted it on camera and then killed himself? I doubt it.

drunkmonkey

osarusan wrote: »

How far do you take that argument though. If a terrified partner doesn't want to press charges against the violent partner who beat the crap out of them (and left them in hospital for example), should the state still be dropping the charges?


There must be a limit to how much influence the wishes of the victim have on the prosecution's decision-making process. The victim is not their only concern, the wider public are too.


The other side of that is the prosecution must justify that there is a wider public interest too - there must be a limit to the power of their decision-making process also.

That's a general discussion, it doesn't relate to this case. If there was some evidence to suggest she was a danger to the public or anyone else well then it should be pursued. There was no evidence to suggest this was the case though.
In a once off case like this as I said in my first post this should have been investigated within the health service not the criminal justice system. The same needs to happen in Ireland everything is shoved through the courts which isn't the best place to resolve things.

Laura99

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Laws are there to act in the public interest and to punish on behalf of the public.
There was nothing in this case in the public interest to pursue. It was jobsworths trying to secure a prosecution without any care for the damage they were doing.
I'd take a scratch from a lamp any day over being mentally put through the wringer by the state in what is a minor incident, she was not going to jail, she might not even had a conviction but the stress of the state turning on her was obviously too much. They need to be held responsible as their crime is a lot worse than what she done.

There's been nothing new about this case released after she died. It was reported after the picture of the blood was released that it was mostly hers from her wrists. The picture of his cut was also released which actually would add weight to the fact that she did hit him with something hard and also it's on the top of his head she he was likely lying down as she is much shorter than him and likely asleep as he didn't protect himself. She also admitted she had done it on camera. This is what the courts are for, to decide on the evidence. People and the media also knew she had mental health issues at the time as she spoke about it previously, even just last October. None of them were up in arms to protect her. She had three mental health assessments since her arrest and all times was still shown to be at risk to her boyfriend. Do we really go back to the times of domestic abuse being a problem that should be kept within the house?

Laura99

drunkmonkey wrote: »

That's a general discussion, it doesn't relate to this case. If there was some evidence to suggest she was a danger to the public or anyone else well then it should be pursued. There was no evidence to suggest this was the case though.
In a once off case like this as I said in my first post this should have been investigated within the health service not the criminal justice system. The same needs to happen in Ireland everything is shoved through the courts which isn't the best place to resolve things.

She had three mental health assessments since her arrest and she was still shown to be at risk to her boyfriend in all three. How do you know what evidence was or wasn't there? This is what courts are for.

It's all a very sad situation.

drunkmonkey

lawred2 wrote: »

So the state in your mind should ignore domestic incidents because you've no personal interest..

If the 2 people involved like in this case didn't want to pursue it yes, with the blessing of the health services that it was an isolated incident.
Everything doesn't need to end up in front of a judge. The legal system quite obviously had a seriously damaging effect on her, that serves no good.

Laura99

drunkmonkey wrote: »

If the 2 people involved like in this case didn't want to pursue it yes, with the blessing of the health services that it was an isolated incident.
Everything doesn't need to end up in front of a judge. The legal system quite obviously had a seriously damaging effect on her, that serves no good.

But it didn't receive "the blessing of the health services", the opposite actually. The legal system has a damaging effect on most people that go through it. She was up for assault not attempted murder, the charge fit the alleged crime.