Victim of vicious attack by Thurso woman 'let down by justice system'
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A victim of a vicious assault in Inverness city centre has said she and others feel “let down” by the justice system.
Lauren Mathieson was 21-years-old and on a night out when she was attacked by a total stranger in October 2021.
Lauren, who has now moved away from the Highlands, was left with a broken nose and horrific facial injuries after being accosted by Thurso woman Annalie Hercher (28) in the Highland capital’s Baron Taylor’s Street in the early hours of the morning. Hercher was prosecuted in December last year but Lauren was completely unaware the case had gone to court and her attacker had admitted the assault – and only found out two months later from an ex colleague who read it in the local paper.
“This woman got charged and I wasn’t even informed,” Lauren said. “The system needs a lot of work. How is this fair to me, the victim? I had no one defending my corner, I didn’t get to say my piece, didn’t get an apology nor any closure.”
Hercher was sentenced to a community payback order as a direct alternative to custody.
Lauren, who now lives in England, was knocked to the ground and straddled before being punched and kicked on the head and body. Her nose was broken in three places and she suffered severe bruising. She still has ongoing problems with her vision as a result.
Lauren said she has spoken to others who have also been victims of criminal offences and found that they too found the justice system to be slow and laborious – and for some it did not seem worth the effort of reporting a crime in the first place.
Lauren said: “I just think the justice system is failing people. Most people don’t even want to go through the hassle of reporting things.
“From the very start when I went in to report the assault case the police didn’t take me seriously even though I had a big black eye.
“They just did not take me on. They said they didn’t see me that night – it was almost like a slap in the face.”
Lauren ended up going to hospital after being snubbed by the officers at her local police station.
After receiving treatment she found a more helpful police officer outside who managed to get her to the people she needed to speak to about the assault.
But now, she remains jaded with how things were dealt with from start to finish.
She said: “You hear that nothing ever happens or comes from anything.
“I’m glad that I did report it but the whole thing was such a long drawn out process that it puts you off wanting to report anything again.
“The whole thing was just done terribly.”
Regional MSP Edward Mountain approached the Crown Office to find out why Lauren was not informed of the court date and she has now received a written apology. In the apology from the Crown Office, assistant procurator fiscal for the Grampian, Highlands and Islands, Iain Logan said Lauren not being informed was due to an “oversight” from a member of his team. He added that staff had been reminded about the importance of keeping the Victim Information and Advice service updated.
A Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) spokesperson said: “COPFS strives to be a compassionate and supportive service.
“We have apologised directly to the complainer for the communication error in this case.
“We are undertaking a comprehensive and transformative programme of work to deliver an enhanced service to victims, witnesses and next of kin.”
Despite her experiences, and what she has heard from others, Lauren does not want to deter people from reporting crimes.
“Even though the outcomes were not the ones I wanted, I still think this might help influence other people out there to have the strength to report it,” Lauren added. “It’s scary enough for any victim of abuse or assault to come forward to the police. I just feel the more people speak out about it, the more people will realise how bad the justice system is.
“I think people know it’s not perfect but I don’t think the public knows just how badly things are dealt with.”
