Autism and the criminal justice system in the UK.

[Holly Goodhead]

Hi Nick and welcome to the forum 

Have you heard of the psychologist and cognitive neuroscientist Simon Baron-Cohen?  He is a world leading expert on autism and as.  I've listened to lots of his presentations on YouTube in connection with psychopathy and the WHF/Jeremy Bamber case. 

Have you read the book/seen the play 'Curious incident of the dog in the night-time'?  If so would you say it is an accurate portrayal of someone with as? 

[nickwclarke]

Hi Holly,

I do enjoy reading books about Asperger syndrome and autism related and Know that Simon Baron-Cohen and  lets not forget 'Temple Grandin' who is also on the autistic spectrum that is a great asset to the autistic community. 'The Curious incident of the dog in the night-time' I have read that happens to be my favourite book of all time.

Thanks for the warm welcome  *&*%£

Once again would like to point out that due to being on the autistic spectrum we are more inclined to having higher anxiety and stress levels. Once we have are heart and mind set on something we will never give in if we feel what happened was completely unfair and unjustified!

I cannot take much more setbacks from organisations that are being completely unfair and unreasonable by not even allowing me to volunteer. Yesterday I met a manager of a youth club that handed me a volunteer information leaflet "We recognise people can make mistakes and be rehabilitated to a stage where they have a great deal to offer young people". I was not at fault for having a breakdown period in my life that was mismanaged along with lack of understanding at the time on how to treat someone on the autistic spectrum with a breakdown period.
 
My incident at the hostel is nearly a decade ago in May 2005 was when I was not at all myself as I was mentally unstable at the time. I was not given any adequate help and support until 14 months into my breakdown as my AS and breakdown period was totally mismanaged from start to finish and should never have been charged for ABH and criminal damage in the 1st place.

Also says " We find that young people can benefit from engaging with volunteers from all backgrounds, you may be surprised at what your life experiences can bring to the role" To label and individual that had one episode of a violence that never occurred before and after my breakdown period does hurt my feelings and emotions deeply!

He is just concerned that my convictions are of an aggressive nature so looks doubtful I can volunteer! It happened nearly 10 years ago under horrific conditions. I have a cool, calm and placid nature and naturally get on well with all ages. I was never aggressive or unpredictable with my behaviour at school or when I was bullied daily at my former work place by my Line Manager. I did not once lose my temper both physically and verbally, I am am sure many would have told him where to go.

My Dad had terminal cancer at the time of my breakdown period who was a Major in the Gurkhas during the 2nd World War with a strict family upbringing. He was a war hero when he was awarded the Military Cross and other medals as well as an MBE by the Queen. None of my family has got a criminal record and not in my nature to be aggressive so find it unfair to say that's it can never trust this individual again to work with kids and vulnerable adults!

His concern the kids and young adults that attend the youth club can at times be very much in your face by being verbally aggressive towards you are making physical threats towards you. Worried I may lash out suddenly which I would never do due to what happened nearly a decade ago as they know how to wind people up!

I already dealt with an adult male aged 19 making aggressive threats towards and also mentor his 12 year old brother that has ADD and at time he can get aggressive towards me and have been physically hit by him in my arm leaving a massive bruise. Not once did I lose my temper as I know it is their condition. I would never fight back if even if I was mugged as I am not a natural fighter or would become aggressive. I am still supporting both at present, the parents are grateful for supporting both their sons.

I am putting my flat on the market tomorrow to hopefully fund the supreme court costs to stop me being labelled unfairly as I now have enough original evidence to show I was not at fault and will get my convictions quashed. I do at times feel I no longer want to be living as it hurts deeply that I am being treated so harshly for actions that was not my fault at the time of being unfairly convicted.

nickwclarke2014@BhamUK

[Holly Goodhead]

Hi Nick

I hadn't heard of Temple Grandin. 

It does seem unfair that one blip should cause you so much upset and prevent you doing what you ideally want to do. I guess individuals are powerless to take a view and give you a second chance.  Policies will be set in stone and probably set out by lawyers and insurers.  I assume you have to complete a CRB and this is how it is flagged up? 

I would try not to take it too personally Nick.  As I said it will just be the system and I'm sure various individuals you have met would like to give you a second chance.  People are treated unfairly all the time and discriminated against; that's life I'm afraid. 

I'm not sure I would recommend selling your flat to fight it legally.  I'm sure it will cost a fortune and you could exhaust all your funds and get nowhere.  Have you exhausted all the other avenues eg speaking with your local MP?  Some lawyers will act pro bono:

http://www.barprobono.org.uk/

Perhaps it was meant to be and you could retrain to do something else you might be even happier doing?  Meanwhile you could still pursue your cause.  Maybe not be so fixed Nick and look at all your options?

Best wishes.

[puglove]

Hi Nick

I hadn't heard of Temple Grandin. 

It does seem unfair that one blip should cause you so much upset and prevent you doing what you ideally want to do. I guess individuals are powerless to take a view and give you a second chance.  Policies will be set in stone and probably set out by lawyers and insurers.  I assume you have to complete a CRB and this is how it is flagged up? 

I would try not to take it too personally Nick.  As I said it will just be the system and I'm sure various individuals you have met would like to give you a second chance.  People are treated unfairly all the time and discriminated against; that's life I'm afraid. 

I'm not sure I would recommend selling your flat to fight it legally.  I'm sure it will cost a fortune and you could exhaust all your funds and get nowhere.  Have you exhausted all the other avenues eg speaking with your local MP?  Some lawyers will act pro bono:

http://www.barprobono.org.uk/

Perhaps it was meant to be and you could retrain to do something else you might be even happier doing?  Meanwhile you could still pursue your cause.  Maybe not be so fixed Nick and look at all your options?

Best wishes.

I'm a massive fan of Temple Grandin. She went to the ultimate lengths to make sure that condemned animals didn't suffer too much during their final moments. She's wonderful.

[Andrea]

Shona!! you're back!!!

YIPEE, MISSED YA xxxxxx

[puglove]

Shona!! you're back!!!

YIPEE, MISSED YA xxxxxx

Missed you too, angel tits. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

[Andrea]

Wish my tits were angels, instead of fried Eggs on a surf board.

[puglove]

Wish my tits were angels, instead of fried Eggs on a surf board.

 *&*%£

Better than 2 grapes in your dad's socks.   

[nickwclarke]

Thanks all for the warm welcome once again, I do find my pet female cat Ellie really does help calm me down when I am stressed out as you cannot beat a cats purring to calm you down. Temple Grandin loves animals and find cats are the closest animals to the autistic community with a book out called 'All Cats Have Aspergers Syndrome' by Kathy Hoopmann.

Holly I can fully see your points of view to look into doing another type of career. You will find that the majority of adults with Asperger syndrome find it hard to hold down a full time job and are unemployed and will only be happy doing what they are good at doing. They often end up doing a job that is an area of specific special interest to that individual. We will not stick to any career that is slightly different has to be their area they enjoy doing as we tend to be very selective.

I already have the support from my local MP and a former police inspector that is now a psychologist for  adults with AS saying how wrong it was to convict someone like myself who was mentally unstable so should not have a criminal record as I was not at fault. I also have all my court archives and emails from my family showing clearly I was not fit to stand trial that was totally neglected by the authorities.

I should not be labelled for one incident in my entire life as I was basically left to roam the streets around the hostel in a hot spot area for gun and drug crime in Birmingham so could not really go outside as I felt it was unsafe to do so. I was being bullied inside the hostel by staff were nasty towards me threatening me that they will get one of the service users to beat me up.

They even got me forcefully arrested for criminal damage by totally trashing my bedroom ripping the wash basin and wardrobe doors off the hinges while I was out for the day. I have been a victim of physical, verbal and emotional abuse and will not give up my dream job doing support work as the bullies are then getting what they want seeing me suffer all my life by denying me a job I would love to be able to do one day.

Some people say when they are younger their dream jobs would be a professional footballer, airline pilot, astronaut, doctor etc. My dream job and only job I prepared to do in a care support worker for children and young adults with autism and other additional needs.

The solicitor at the time I was arrested told me to plead guilty that my family were not at all happy about who straight away appealed against my conviction within the 28 days of being convicted. He made out it not at all possible to appeal within 28 days after sentencing!

I have done nothing wrong the CPS were at fault as they should have dropped the charges against me as they had all the evidence I was mentally unstable and should have got me sectioned instead under the mental health act and not locked up in prison on remand for 3 weeks.

I do not know why so many people think that anyone with a criminal record are barred working with children and vulnerable adults. I have already helped out at my local church year 9 youth club and a gardening project at a school where kids can be verbally aggressive as well a support group for adults with various types of physical and mental health conditions.

It is not true the tight rules and regulations with my type of convictions as I also have a high profile criminal law solicitor that has all my court archives and other important documents that will go in my favour at the Supreme Court.

I come from a large family of 6 sisters and 10 nephews and I am a very popular uncle to 10 nephews and 4 nieces and will be an uncle to nephew #11 sometime in February 2015. I find due to having high functioning autism I have a good childish sense of humour that kids like about me and can relate well to children and teenagers on the autistic spectrum. I can pick up easily sensory overload issues that none autistic staff would not realise like certain background sounds as we have very sensitive hearing.

I will not give up doing  a career I would love to be doing to a high standard as I am very much a perfectionist and well organised so would be an excellent care support worker if I was given the chance and the opportunity to pursue in my dream job.

I was not at fault as I was “not guilty” of minor ABH and criminal damage.

nickwclarke2014@BhamUK

[Carana]

Temple Grandin is quite amazing.
https://www.ted.com/speakers/temple_grandin

Hello Nick,

I understand that you find that what has happened to you is unfair and want to clear your name so that you can  pursue your goal of working to support others with autism and it sounds like you'd be very good at it.

I find Holly's suggestion of contacting http://www.barprobono.org.uk/ or even a Citizen's Advice Bureau may be useful and may give you a fair idea of what is possible or not in legal terms before considering selling your flat.

You have a focused goal. A question to perhaps consider is what avenues are open for you to pursue that goal even given current restrictions?

Is working directly with young people the only option? Would, for example, giving talks to schools / universities, social services / law enforcement training sessions (a bit like Temple) be possible? Would helping to create greater awareness give you any satisfaction?

[Holly Goodhead]

I'm a massive fan of Temple Grandin. She went to the ultimate lengths to make sure that condemned animals didn't suffer too much during their final moments. She's wonderful.

Hey welcome back puglove.  We have all missed you very much.

Yes I've been reading up on Temple Grandin.

xxxxxxxxx

[Holly Goodhead]

Wish my tits were angels, instead of fried Eggs on a surf board.

Lol.  Look on the bright side you're unlikely to end up needing a wheelbarrow with curvature of the spine 

Talking of eggs have you tried poachies.  Bloody marvellous invention.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0veEKCwYlk

[Holly Goodhead]

Thanks all for the warm welcome once again, I do find my pet female cat Ellie really does help calm me down when I am stressed out as you cannot beat a cats purring to calm you down. Temple Grandin loves animals and find cats are the closest animals to the autistic community with a book out called 'All Cats Have Aspergers Syndrome' by Kathy Hoopmann.

Holly I can fully see your points of view to look into doing another type of career. You will find that the majority of adults with Asperger syndrome find it hard to hold down a full time job and are unemployed and will only be happy doing what they are good at doing. They often end up doing a job that is an area of specific special interest to that individual. We will not stick to any career that is slightly different has to be their area they enjoy doing as we tend to be very selective.

I already have the support from my local MP and a former police inspector that is now a psychologist for  adults with AS saying how wrong it was to convict someone like myself who was mentally unstable so should not have a criminal record as I was not at fault. I also have all my court archives and emails from my family showing clearly I was not fit to stand trial that was totally neglected by the authorities.

I should not be labelled for one incident in my entire life as I was basically left to roam the streets around the hostel in a hot spot area for gun and drug crime in Birmingham so could not really go outside as I felt it was unsafe to do so. I was being bullied inside the hostel by staff were nasty towards me threatening me that they will get one of the service users to beat me up.

They even got me forcefully arrested for criminal damage by totally trashing my bedroom ripping the wash basin and wardrobe doors off the hinges while I was out for the day. I have been a victim of physical, verbal and emotional abuse and will not give up my dream job doing support work as the bullies are then getting what they want seeing me suffer all my life by denying me a job I would love to be able to do one day.

Some people say when they are younger their dream jobs would be a professional footballer, airline pilot, astronaut, doctor etc. My dream job and only job I prepared to do in a care support worker for children and young adults with autism and other additional needs.

The solicitor at the time I was arrested told me to plead guilty that my family were not at all happy about who straight away appealed against my conviction within the 28 days of being convicted. He made out it not at all possible to appeal within 28 days after sentencing!

I have done nothing wrong the CPS were at fault as they should have dropped the charges against me as they had all the evidence I was mentally unstable and should have got me sectioned instead under the mental health act and not locked up in prison on remand for 3 weeks.

I do not know why so many people think that anyone with a criminal record are barred working with children and vulnerable adults. I have already helped out at my local church year 9 youth club and a gardening project at a school where kids can be verbally aggressive as well a support group for adults with various types of physical and mental health conditions.

It is not true the tight rules and regulations with my type of convictions as I also have a high profile criminal law solicitor that has all my court archives and other important documents that will go in my favour at the Supreme Court.

I come from a large family of 6 sisters and 10 nephews and I am a very popular uncle to 10 nephews and 4 nieces and will be an uncle to nephew #11 sometime in February 2015. I find due to having high functioning autism I have a good childish sense of humour that kids like about me and can relate well to children and teenagers on the autistic spectrum. I can pick up easily sensory overload issues that none autistic staff would not realise like certain background sounds as we have very sensitive hearing.

I will not give up doing  a career I would love to be doing to a high standard as I am very much a perfectionist and well organised so would be an excellent care support worker if I was given the chance and the opportunity to pursue in my dream job.

I was not at fault as I was “not guilty” of minor ABH and criminal damage.

nickwclarke2014@BhamUK

A great idea from Carana with regard to raising awareness?  I assume you have contacted The National Autistic Society about your case? 

[nickwclarke]

Hi Holly,

What Carana suggestion is something I have considered doing talks to raise more autism awareness while waiting to clear my unjustified criminal record that I have been confident from day one of appealing will be quashed. I am very lucky to have kept all the original court archives as well as emails and letters of complaint that I was not helped in the early stages of my breakdown period.

I am flexible and would love to do talks about what I had to endure and how to improve services for children and adults that find themselves wrongly labeled for doing a crime that in the end was none intentional. I can could give numerous examples of when children and adults are arrested by the police as what they are doing looks like they are doing it on purpose when it none intentional.

A middle aged man with AS was so fascinated with washing machines that it was becoming obsessive, while he was walking past a house he spots a washing machine through the window. Without knowing that breaking and entering someones property is a criminal offence he breaks into the house and just sits by the washing machine. The owners of the house return and of course calls the police, when they arrive he is arrested.

The police do the routine thing of checking if anything has gone missing and of course nothing has been stolen. The man with AS is still charged for breaking and entering and criminal damage.

I still want to pursue in my dream job caring and supporting children and young adults on the autistic spectrum and similar needs. I have seen some dreadful support workers out there that have not had any training in autism awareness and can give an example.

An adult female with AS support worker packed in doing her day job as a beautician who has a clear DBS without a clue about autism awareness as no knowledge is required as training will be given by the organisation. She takes the service user out to the local shops and decided to get her nails done leaving the service user outside! This is wrong and should have been sacked on the spot.

As for the flat selling I need to sell as I had tenants from hell that never paid rent for over 7 months and wrecked my flat. Service charges are very high and the building is not in a good state of repair, my mum is now paying my mortgage so it only fair that I sell up.

Thanks for the link and should be granted legal aid and I have already contacted CAB and NAS numerous times. I have found a criminal law solicitor that will read through all the paperwork who is extremely busy right now.

I am super organised with a bit of OCD that is a typical autistic trait with over 12 folders in numerical order in poly pockets to show I was not fit to plead guilty with strong evidence in my favour of neglect. When my mum reads back the letters written by my sisters she burst out crying by reading what her youngest child had to suffer unnecessarily as at the same time her husband for over 40 years was terminally ill.

I hope I have now highlighted that my breakdown and diagnoses of AS was poorly managed and should not have a criminal record held against me for actions that could have so easily be avoided if I was treated for my depression earlier.

Thanks all once again for your support and advice.

nickwclarke2014@BhamUK

[nickwclarke]

The UK Justice System is unfair and biased at present, even now with the ‘time to change’ campaign  they still have not got a clue not just towards ‘autism awareness’ they are also not great at dealing with other mental health related conditions.

The tragic murder of Cerys Marie Yemm, aged 22 recently in a Wales when the authorities knew that Matthew Williams was diagnosed having paranoid schizophrenia and had not been able to take he medication to control his paranoia that led to the tragic loss of himself and his murder victim and their families.

What Matthews Mother has shared with the media the following quote;

Mr Williams' mother, Sally Ann Williams, claims her son was a paranoid schizophrenic and could not get medication after his release from prison less than two weeks ago.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-29981512

I know one cannot compare my undeserved criminal conviction with this traffic murder case as mine is completely different as it is a less serious offense that could have been avoided if I was given the right help and support before my breakdown got out of hand!

However my AS and breakdown combined together is classed as mental health disorder or condition and was not given any chance to be understood properly until it was too late when it got to a point of minor common assault and was not to blame for my actions at the time.

My family at the time thought I was doing the right thing to plead guilty as the solicitor representing me in court never once explained to my family and I the options of either pleading guilty or say I was not guilty. It would then have gone to Crown Court and would then be up to a jury to decided if I was guilty or not!

I was told to plead guilty by the criminal law solicitor representing my case at Magistrates Court!

If the jury read through all my documents diagnosed with AS in a deep depression with my Dad terminally ill when I was provoked and bullied into a small attack when staff were verbally bullying and making physical threats towards me combined with the wrong meds and chemical imbalance and self medicating!

The jury's verdict would have found me ‘not guilty due to my mental state at the time of ABH and criminal damage that's so unlike me all due to being given the wrong anti psychotics and antidepressants that is now giving me such a negative and unfair label that I am now carrying around with me!

It is not a nice feeling when schools and homes think my mood swing and behavior is unpredictable, as I was not at fault as I have never been aggressive or violent in nature at school, college and 13 years working full time. I have a very calm, cool and placid nature with a patient of a saint. I cannot even kill a bottle fly without feeling guilty so will open the window instead to allow the bottle fly to fly out again.

Bullies caused me to get this an unjustified criminal record that happened nearly a decade ago with no aggression since then that will never happen again. Many school and homes are missing out an a potentially fantastic care support worker for kids with autism and other additional needs that are taking safeguarding to the extreme and the majority of the general public are being brainwashed by thinking these strict enhanced DBS checks are good and fair.

It not fair to compare those with one or two minor one off convictions to those that are regular offenders with 20plus convictions to those that have not done any other criminal act for a decade or more. They should have their criminal record wiped clear off the PNC system if they not offended again as 9 times out of 10 like me that are usually mentally related those with a one off criminal conviction that not too serious. They should be given a 2nd chance again and not get given a negative label to carry for the rest of their life for actions that was not their fault at time of being convicted.

I will get my dream job despite the negativity I am getting as I am not wasting 2 years since walking out of my job due to bullying for being autistic. I am studying childcare, health and social care as well as getting a certificate in autism awareness for educators” and training certificates in care support work with all the tutors a praising my in depth knowledge.

I have always had good knowledge towards health and social care with a distinction in the old C&G GNVQ Health and Social Care Foundation Level when I left school back in 1995.

One bad incident in my entire life should not be stopping me pursue in my dream job as Residential Care Support Worker for kids with autism and other additional needs. I have had to visit The Samaritans several times since walking out of my former job as I am very fixed and passionate only to help and support children and young adults with additional needs.

I am never going to be happy and content until I am doing the job I love, I should be given discretion due to my autism to become a care support worker. Parents that know about my convictions are no at all concerned about my criminal record as they know how poor the services are in the UK towards mental health and can see I am perfectly safe and mentally stable to do the job role to a high standard.

nickwclarke2014@BhamUK