Distraught mum hopes to help others after son was falsely accused of rape

The nightmare was intensified as Sandra had no-one to turn to for help.

As the case came to trial she had to cope with no support and very limited information as to what was going on and how the legal system worked.

A jury at Chester Crown Court took just 35 minutes to unanimously clear Darren Wells of any wrongdoing.

Sandra told the Guardian: "My son was innocent, but we were dragged through this because of a woman's lies.

"She got plenty of support but I got nothing. I was distraught during that time and had nowhere to turn."

After her son was acquitted, Sandra decided to do something about the lack of support for families and friends of the accused.

She set up Contact, in Northwich, and the group has grown enormously in just over a year to serve the whole of Cheshire.

And last week the group was informed that its application for charitable status had been accepted.

"We are delighted to have received this charity number," said Sandra.

"We hope that by becoming a registered charity we can access funding to enable us to reach more people.

"Families of the accused or prisoners often live in the shadows of the offenders' action, facing stress, isolation, guilt and financial difficulties. There is definitely a need for this service."

Contact operates on a number of levels of support. Families can be escorted to court, there are telephone helplines, information about the legal system and prisoner support.

Sandra is now hoping that charitable status can help the group branch out into rehabilitation work.

She said: "We offer informal and confidential support. In our first year we have successfully supported 33 families with their on-going cases as well as providing information to countless others.

"Our charitable status means we can look for funding from businesses and search for much-needed volunteers to join Contact."

Sandra wants Contact to continue to improve and help more families through an extremely difficult time - and hopefully to a happy conclusion.

"My son is now in the army and is married. He is still very, very angry but is trying to move on."

IF you would like to find out more about Contact you are welcome to attend the group's AGM on Wednesday, January 24 at The Council House, Church Road, Northwich starting at 11am. Alternatively you can ring Contact on 01606 47107.

WHEN Sandra Wells' son was accused of rape she felt as though her world was falling apart.

The nightmare was intensified as Sandra had no-one to turn to for help.

As the case came to trial she had to cope with no support and very limited information as to what was going on and how the legal system worked.

A jury at Chester Crown Court took just 35 minutes to unanimously clear Darren Wells of any wrongdoing.

Sandra told the Guardian: "My son was innocent, but we were dragged through this because of a woman's lies.

"She got plenty of support but I got nothing. I was distraught during that time and had nowhere to turn."

After her son was acquitted, Sandra decided to do something about the lack of support for families and friends of the accused.

She set up Contact, in Northwich, and the group has grown enormously in just over a year to serve the whole of Cheshire.

And last week the group was informed that its application for charitable status had been accepted.

"We are delighted to have received this charity number," said Sandra.

"We hope that by becoming a registered charity we can access funding to enable us to reach more people.

"Families of the accused or prisoners often live in the shadows of the offenders' action, facing stress, isolation, guilt and financial difficulties. There is definitely a need for this service."

Contact operates on a number of levels of support. Families can be escorted to court, there are telephone helplines, information about the legal system and prisoner support.

Sandra is now hoping that charitable status can help the group branch out into rehabilitation work.

She said: "We offer informal and confidential support. In our first year we have successfully supported 33 families with their on-going cases as well as providing information to countless others.

"Our charitable status means we can look for funding from businesses and search for much-needed volunteers to join Contact."

Sandra wants Contact to continue to improve and help more families through an extremely difficult time - and hopefully to a happy conclusion.

"My son is now in the army and is married. He is still very, very angry but is trying to move on."

IF you would like to find out more about Contact you are welcome to attend the group's AGM on Wednesday, January 24 at The Council House, Church Road, Northwich starting at 11am. Alternatively you can ring Contact on 01606 47107.