Quote Originally Posted by Pete67 View Post
I stand to be corrected on the caution issue, but it was my understanding that Police can give you a "verbal caution" I think it might also be called "street caution" with no consequences for records, but a "formal caution" is something offered to enable Police to close the case, should you choose to accept it, and you have to sign a form proving you have admitted something this will give you a criminal record if it's a criminal offence (shoplifting etc) Once winessed an Officer giving a young male a "verbal caution" when asked "what for?" the officer's response was "to b***er off"
Hi again Pete 67.

Again unless things have changed. A person cannot be cautioned unless a crime/offence has been committed. If a person denies they have committed an offence/crime then it cannot exist unless a court find it does. Innocent until proven guilty etc.

A caution can never create a criminal record for a person, only a conviction in court can do that (that is still so where say an absolute discharge is given, as that is a conviction, only a case dismissed, or no case to answer, is no conviction).

In the same way if a person is acquitted (except in very unusual circumstances) that can never be referred to in another case.

Once witnessed an Officer giving a young male a "verbal caution" when asked "what for?" the officer's response was "to b***er off"

Well on the face of it, that was a pointless pieces of stupidity by the officer, for the reasons I have explained.

I have just checked out what I said. It is I believe confirmed at :

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/...ing/index.html