Woman Receives Death Threats Following Wrongful Accusation of Hitting Younger Brother
Rebecca Riley, a 28-year-old woman, faced a distressing ordeal after being wrongly arrested for allegedly assaulting her younger brother outside Ravensworth Primary School in Bromley, south-east London. The incident, which took place last June, involved Rebecca being accused by school teachers of punching her nine-year-old brother, John, who is autistic. Rebecca explained that she was merely employing a restraint technique she had learned to manage her brother’s episodes. Despite the police dropping the charges due to a lack of evidence, Rebecca reveals she continues to endure severe repercussions from the incident, including death threats and community ostracization, told The Mirror.
Rebecca, who is a primary caregiver for her siblings, expressed her ongoing frustration and the traumatic impact the event had on her, John, and their mother. The public arrest, witnessed by many parents due to after-school activities, has led to a significant stigma, making Rebecca apprehensive about venturing out alone. She fervently seeks a public apology for the misunderstanding and the turmoil it has caused her family.
On the day of the incident, Rebecca was summoned by a teacher who claimed to have witnessed the supposed assault. Despite her explanations, she was confronted by police when returning to pick up John and another sibling, leading to her arrest in front of other parents. The situation forced Rebecca to seek refuge at a friend’s house for over a week, away from her family, exacerbating the emotional strain.
The incident has left John severely affected, to the extent that he has been unable to return to school and is currently being homeschooled. Rebecca, who shares a close bond with John, described the difficulty of their separation and the methods she uses to calm him during his episodes. Despite the clear evidence from CCTV footage exonerating her, Rebecca’s requests for an apology from the school have been denied, and she remains banned from the school premises.
The case highlights the challenges faced by families dealing with autism, the need for understanding and support within the community, and the severe consequences of misinterpretations. The Education Trust for the 21st Century, responsible for Ravensworth Primary, has yet to comment on the situation, and the Metropolitan Police has also been approached for a statement on the matter.