maybe have a look at this
Mandatory and Minimum Custodial Sentences: Legal Guidance: The Crown Prosecution Service
it looks like section 51 does have a 5 year mandatory sentance, but i guess that means 2 and a half for good behaviour.
the legal people are obliged to tell it to ya straight, or they are liable to be in trouble.
i know u say its too late to mention stuff bout your circumstances, but i think it would immediatly be adjourned if u did, so its not actually too late. of course i’m not saying that would be an easy route, but if u’v already moved, and put urself out of harms way…
u should be on legal aid, so i would consider goin to ur solicitors first thing, and insist on seeing someone, and explaining that u didnt feel safe enuff to say anything b4…
u can always change ur solicitor after an adjournment, if they don’t seem helpful, but it is there legal duty to represent your interests, so they cannot just ignore u.
i think u ought to get on the phone at the very least, this lot might be able to point u in the right direction…
Telephone Service
sounds pretty grim at the mo, but good luck with everythin
