MELANIE SHAW IS A VULNERABLE ADULT WHO HAS BEEN IMPRISONED EVEN THOUGH THE POLICE AND PROSECUTORS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO BRING ANY EVIDENCE AGAINST HER IN COURT. SHE IS FRIGHTENED AND SUFFERING IN A PRISON WHICH HAS A BAD NAME FOR BULLYING, AND SHE HAS BEEN REMANDED THERE DESPITE NO EVIDENCE BEING PRODUCED AGAINST HER.

OPINION IS THAT SHE HAS BEEN IMPRISONED DUE TO BEING AN ABUSE VICTIM AND AND WITNESS AT A LOCAL COUNCIL RUN CHILDREN'S HOME, BEECHWOOD, IN NOTTINGHAM

Here is a quote from the UK column's report on the matter: Members of the public present at the hearing in Nottingham Crown Court on Friday 25th July 2014, described a muddled hearing in which the prosecution simply failed to present evidence, despite the Judge prompting them with references to a finger or palm print. In what was described as a fumbling statement to the Judge, the prosecution excused the lack of evidence and promised it would be available 'shortly.' Despite the absence of evidence against her, her status as a vulnerable abuse victim and her importance as a key witness to widespread child abuse, the Judge was happy to place Melanie on remand, at a prison in which she has already suffered bullying, strip searches, denial of her NHS medication and disorientation through repeated relocation between cells.

The rest of the report can be read here:

 http://www.ukcolumn.org/article/abuse-witness-melanie-shaw-remanded-no-evidence-presented

Considering the fact that Melanie Shaw has not been charged with anything, and is vulnerable, leaving her in prison, where she is being bullied and is in fear, is completely unjust and uncalled-for and is putting her at risk and harming her mental health.

There are widespread concerns that this shaky and unrealistic trial and imprisonment have been put together because Melanie is an abuse survivor and witness of abuse at Beechwood Children's Home in Nottingham.

And, if she is left in prison and continues to suffer, her deterioration may be used against her to discredit her. It is inevitable that a vulnerable adult will be frighted and under stress in an environment such as the one she is in, and as a result will deteriorate, especially as it appears she is not being treated well or well cared for, and the reality is, she should not be in prison for months when she hasn't been charged with anything.

It is extremely common for police and authorities to have little understanding of the distress and trauma that abuse survivors go through and to use such distress against the survivor and treat them as if they are seriously mentally ill and label them as such. I understand this may be what is happening or will happen in Melanie's case, and this may be why the police and courts excuse putting her in prison without charge, but the reality is, even if she was seriously mentally ill, prison is NOT a suitable environment for someone who is seriously mentally ill to the point of needing to be locked in, it is a place where any such illness would only get worse, and, mental illness is not a crime to be punished in such a way.

 

There is no excuse for Melanie Shaw's imprisonment and there is no excuse for the way the police and authorities have treated her. She is a vulnerable abuse survivor not an evil offender, and she needs to be released and return to some normality in her life before the harm done becomes irreparable.

Here is another article on Melanie's case, written by 'We are change Edinburgh':

http://wacedinburgh.wordpress.com/2014/07/31/abuse-witness-melanie-shaw-remanded-no-evidence-presented/

 

There is no doubt in the eyes of the public that things are very amiss with the handling of this case, and that as a result, a vulnerable adult is imprisoned, suffering at risk, when if she has not been charged, the best place for her to be, for her own wellbeing, is at home.

 

Please join us in asking for Melanie Shaw to be freed. Please sign the petition.

Thank you.