BRYCE'S STORY

Bryce has spent a great deal of his adult life serving his country. The way his country has paid him back is not only shocking but also unbelievable. As you read Bryce’s story ask yourself if this could happen to you – you will say it couldn’t but that would have been Bryce’s sentiments a year ago along with many other people in Scotland who have been falsely accused of crimes and find their lives turned upside down. As you read just think about this happening to yourself or someone you know.

In 1971 Bryce married a lady called Elizabeth. Elizabeth was a divorcee with five children – four of her children were in a children’s home in Inverness where he was stationed at the time. According to Elizabeth her ex husband was violent to her and had been in prison. Maybe Bryce should have done a bit of digging into the background of his wife to be and her family circumstances but then as the old saying goes “Love is blind”.

In true form of Army families the regiment soon moved – now to Wiltshire. They both wanted Elizabeth’s children with them and to be a complete family again so they applied for and were successful in bringing Terry, Charlotte, Harry and Kevin home. Obviously there were extensive checks made on both Bryce and Elizabeth before this happened and ongoing visits with a Family liason officer. There were no concerns highlighted and the family settled down happily coping even with Bryce’s 4 month tour of duty in Northern Ireland which was a harrowing and difficult time.

In 1972 an incident happened which disturbed Bryce and Elizabeth. One night, there was a loud thud from the children’s bedroom. Bryce went into the room thinking that someone had fallen out of bed – but it was nothing as simple as that. He asked Harry what had happened and he guiltily pulled the blankets over him and said “Nothing”. Charlotte was wide awake and Bryce asked her what had happened. Charlotte’s reply was “Harry was inside me” and further explained that Harry’s penis was inside her vagina pointing to the areas. What does a parent do? After the initial shock Bryce and Elizabeth did what every good parent should do – sat the kids down in the living room and explained that siblings did not have sex and that this was incest and why it was not allowed. The children seemed to accept this and after a long talk Bryce and Elizabeth decided to do no more about it.

The years passed with the family moving to different and sometimes exciting places as Bryce’s postings came up. The family seemed to be a happy normal family with no particular problems.

In 1975 Bryce was demobbed and the family moved to East Ayrshire and the family appeared to settle in quickly. The only problem was Terry and Charlotte complaining they had already covered the work and were bored at school. A typical “Army Brats” problem when they move schools so often. Things went a bit downhill with Terry and Charlotte – they were truanting from school – going in the front door and straight out the back door. They then turned to shoplifting – the worried parents applied discipline in the form of no pocket money, grounding them. A smacked bottom was not unknown. It was a pretty normal form of punishment for most kids in the 70’s.

It didn’t help. Things went from bad to worse with the eldest boy. Social workers became involved, eventually culminating in the children’s panel and a list D school for Terry. Despite every effort from both Elizabeth and Bryce they both felt this was the only option left to them – Terry was out of control. It’s not a situation unique to them. It’s sad but it happens.

Charlotte was a little younger but looked up to her older brother, unfortunately she was to follow in his footsteps getting into trouble at school and eventually the police were involved. She had no respect for the police getting herself in excess of 20 charges for assaulting Police Officers. Charlotte also accused Bryce of assaulting her but it transpired that Charlotte and her friends had planned to accuse their parents of abuse in the hope they could sue them and get some case. Luckily for Bryce and also the other parents this scheme was discovered by social workers.
Charlotte was heading for self destruction – the terrifying thing is that she was to destroy many lives – not just her own.

Things did appear to get better after her spell in a child’s home. She got a job in a solicitors office. She was learning about the law and her employers seemed happy with her – everyone that is except Charlotte. She was bored with working in an office. Her parents tried to explain that everyone felt like that at some time in their working life and dealing with it was part of growing up and being an adult. Charlotte had never been one for taking or even listening to advice – from anyone. Like many teenagers, her parents were not on her Top People list. She wanted to leave home. Bryce and Elizabeth made it clear to her once she left she was on her own and they would no longer take responsibility for her or her actions. Charlotte left.

Charlotte turned up periodically – her lifestyle had not changed though. She was still getting into trouble with the police and her boyfriend was in jail. In 1981 whilst she was staying with her family she took an overdose and spent time recovering in the hospital. Bryce and Elizabeth visited her at every opportunity and when she recovered she came home for a while and things were not too bad. It was not to last – the police were knocking at the door before long. Her parents could take no more. Charlotte was an adult not a child and there were the other younger kids to consider. It was time for her to move out permanently and make her own way in the world. She would only be allowed to visit if she was clean, tidy and sober. This decision was met with extreme hostility, reminding Bryce he was not her father. Charlotte left.

It would be a very strong marriage that survived all this turmoil. They parted ways.
Elizabeth came for Christmas that year as Bryce still had the two younger children. Allan went to stay with his mother but Kevin decided to stay with Bryce. Harry had followed Bryce’s footsteps and was in the Army.

The years went past and Bryce settled into his new life. He married again and had 3 children. Bryce was running a cleaning business and Charlotte ordered some equipment. When she opened the door he was surprised to see her but she invited him in and they spoke amicably for some time - with Charlotte even admitting that she wished that she had listened when she was younger.

Things were going well for Bryce.

Then a bombshell.

In March 2005 Bryce was contacted by the Police and asked to go to Irvine Police Station. What he was confronted with shook him to the core. It was unbelievable. Shocking. Horrific. No words could adequately describe how he felt. Charlotte had accused Bryce of sexual abuse over a twelve year period. Some of her allegations were downright sickening to Bryce. He felt sick, traumatized and completely helpless. He could not eat, sleep or function. He could not bear to speak to anyone, not even his family. He was prescribed medication.
Worse was to come – with a 12 year old daughter at home the Social Work came knocking telling him she could not remain with him – Bryce seemed to be guilty under proven innocent. Luckily she could stay with his ex wife – 2nd wife that is and her new husband. If that had not been possible this confused young girl could have ended up in care.

Bryce then found FAAS Scotland who have helped him see light at the end of the tunnel. He now has a solicitor experienced in this type of case and support from the group. For Bryce there can be only way and that is up – there is no further to fall.

Bryce has had a lot of support from social workers and doctors over the years with his difficult family. After the break up of both his marriages he was a single father bringing up the children on his own. He has a nurse come to the house to tell his daughter about the facts of life and menstruation as he felt embarrassed and unable to discuss it with her. He is well known in his community and over the years social workers have been very much involved and aware of his family position. He has not been without problems in his life but has dealt with them in the best way he could with the resources of the Social Work.
He took on 5 children from his first marriage and had a further 3 children with his second wife. Charlotte was involved with social workers and the police for a large part of her teenage life. She was not a shy or introvert type – Why did she not ever mention any form of abuse before? She tried to falsely accuse Bryce of assault at one point and was found to be lying by the police, this would seem to show what type of character she had even at a young age. There were always other children in the house – surely they would have noticed something amiss. Two wife’s completely missed anything untoward.

Bryce has made mistakes – surely we all have. Why did he not ask why the children were in care when he met Elizabeth? Why did he not ask why her first husband was in jail? You may say to yourself, how could he not ask but he didn’t and it is not a crime.
To need help with your family from social workers is not a crime and in the 70’s to smack your children within acceptable boundaries was not a crime.
Bryce has been charged however he is as yet innocent of all accusations. That is the law of our land. So, why does this country treat him as guilty. The crime he is accused of is one which is deplored by Society yet his name has been made public. He believes in the justice system enough to firmly believe he will be found innocent as he vehemently states he is, yet even after the verdict he will still have a stigma. People will still whisper. His accuser will suffer no consequences. The trial will cost you, the tax payer, thousands of pounds. Before it even happens it has cost him his health, his self pride, his belief in his fellow humans and most of all his most precious belonging – his 12yr old daughter. She will grow up being told of her fathers past – even when he is found innocent.

People who make accusations should be made to suffer consequences should it ultimately be found that they are lying. One of the things I am sure you are thinking right now is – “Surely the procurator fiscal ensures there is sufficient evidence to warrant a trial BEFORE sending out the warrant” That does not seem to be the case.

We cannot have people afraid to come forward with genuine crimes for fear of the consequences of the perpetrator being found innocent but most of all we cannot in this country allow people to carelessly make False Allegations without consequences. The Scottish parliament should take on this subject as a matter of urgency and take steps to change our antiquated laws to bring us at least into step with England.

The truth of the matter is that Nobody Cares till it happens to them or someone they care about.
FAS Scotland is trying to change that attitude and bring Scotland into line with the rest of the civilized world. They provide support and advice and can put you in touch with solicitors who can help.
They care.