Friday, November 14, 2014

In A New Italy Case Involving A Foreign Student The UK Media Is Not Reporting The Full Facts

Posted by Peter Quennell



Above: Serena Bowes seen taking a selfie

Overview Of The Case

Rape is a devastating crime and if someone DID rape Serena Bowes in Florence he must be put away.

Apart from this the UK media seems to be reporting her claims cautiously and unemotionally. But if they had checked with the Italian police, or even checked out Italian media reports, they would have found that Serena Bowes is leaving out key facts.

The Claims By Serena Bowes

The Daily Telegraph reported what Serena Bowes claims.

The incident unfolded when Miss Bowes, who is in the second year of her fashion course, joined other students on a trip to Florence.

She explained how she and a group of friends had been in a local nightclub when she began chatting to a man.

She alleged that they had been heading to the VIP area when she was guided towards the unisex bathroom where the attack happened.

Miss Bowes alerted staff from Newcastle College who accompanied her to the police station and to the local hospital.

After returning to the UK she attempted to put the incident behind her as no one was charged in relation with the alleged offence.

When she received a letter in Italian from the Florence Police she assumed it was an update on the case, but when she got it translated, was stunned to discover that she herself was facing charges.

She said: “I thought it was done with and I could get on with my life. I didn’t think he was going to get prosecuted so I just wanted to get on with my life but this has brought everything back.

“It doesn’t feel what actually happened is the problem anymore ““ it feels like that has actually been forgotten about.”

The Daily Mail report additionally added this.

‘I will never go back to Florence because of what happened, never mind going to prison there.  ‘If I receive a prison sentence somewhere between four and 12 years my life will be over.’


Real Facts In Italian Media

The Italian media seems much further down the road and more fully informed.

They have reported the details of the case the police have put before the supervising magistrate, and they have done some poking around of their own.

The police are said to have investigated the allegations very diligently, but so far it is only his story that is holding up and not at all hers. CCTV cameras throughout the club (even apparently in the restroom) show no sign of her fighting off an attack.

He is seen inside and exiting a restroom, but she does not appear to be in that room or at that same door with him. Many staff and customers in the club were interviewed, but none of them seem to have backed up her report.

Medical examinations apparently showed no physical evidence on either of them of an attack.  And DNA swabs apparently showed none of his DNA on her or her DNA on him.

Serene Bowes’s reasons for not going to a mere hearing to explain the question marks above do seem pretty lame. She has placed a big cloud over the guy who she fingered who has been in suspect status ever since.

But now she shrugs off further help to the Italian police to nail him or clear him as being inconvenient or risky merely to her?

“I just wanted to get on with my life.” Where have we heard that before?

Update By Popper On The Rules

Popper in a comment now explains this, which even more suggests that Serene Bowes would be advised to head back to Florence, that the letter she received (still not released) said nothing about 4-12 years, and that foreign press are too gullible or worse.

On the case of Serena, we certainly need more details.  Simulation [of a crime] and calumny [accusing someone you know innocent of having committed a crime] are serious matters.

If she is investigated magistrates have elements that obligated them to inform her of their suspects, it is an act for her protection. If video material exists I fear it must be explicitly against her version, but we do not know enough to be able to give an informed opinion.

Version presented by some UK papers is uninformed and biased, as we have seen often in MK’s case.  Worst of all, it is exaggerated. An investigation is not a conviction, and if I were Serena [and a victim] I would certainly go there with a lawyer and explain the facts to exculpate myself and get the guilty convicted.

In any case, the risk she ends up in jail is quite low.  It is fairly likely that, even if convicted for the above crimes [after a trial and 2 appeals], her sentence will be suspended, if statute of limitations does not kick in first.  It follows that her justification for not going back to explain herself to a judge is ridiculous.

If she is lying and is guilty of simulation and calumny, it will be one of many cases, certainly not a surprise or uncommon.  Unfortunately many crimes are simulated every day, which makes more difficult and expensive the prosecution of real crimes.


Comments

Shades of Duke Lacrosse?

Posted by Cardiol MD on 11/14/14 at 08:43 PM | #

I don’t know what to make of this. No doubt more details will follow.

In the meantime someone should tell Ms Bowes that the “selfie” craze is really getting beyond pathetic. Even Narcissus is claiming breach of copyright.

Also “she alleged that they had been heading to the VIP area when she was guided towards the unisex bathroom where the attack happened.” What the hell is a “VIP area” in a seedy nightclub, for crying out loud? What sort of damn idiots think in those terms and go to these places?

Posted by Odysseus on 11/14/14 at 10:56 PM | #

Hi Cardiol and Odysseus

Duke Lacrosse? I am not sure. I always thought that girl was miffed that she didnt get paid, until Wendy Murphy told me she got paid very well.

To me this seems to have the same vibes as Knox 2-5 Nov 2007, during all of which she is suspected of being high, with a long list of odd acts as the result.

Skunk cannabis and cocaine can have paranoia-inducing effects. To me Serena reads as if she maybe took one line too much, and was now hoping no-one in Italian law enforcement was any longer taking her for real.

But what about the guy? She did not let him off the hook. He was popular around the club. Her charges against him might amount to calunnia - though Knox only got three years for that.

Serena hasnt released the letter from Italy, right? Soon Italy will see to that. Tick tick tick. Like Knox, she would seem better served to fess up than to slime Italy from afar.

Posted by Peter Quennell on 11/15/14 at 02:50 AM | #

Pete, I thought that Lacrosse Girl claimed she was raped and the Evidence indicated that there was No Physical Contact at all, between her and the Lacrosse Players.

Posted by Cardiol MD on 11/15/14 at 05:35 AM | #

Something similar happened in Milan, I read it two days ago.  A Canadian girl, in Italy for the Erasmus university program, had consensual sex with a young taxi driver.  They even exchanged numbers and cards to meet again.  She was not drunk.

When she went back home her girlfriend misunderstood the story and called the police.  He was arrested tried and convicted (even as a consequence of her confused testimony in Court). However, she had not asked to be accepted as a civil party in the trial. He spent 1 year and a half in jail.

She remained in Italy to finish the program and when she left to go back to Canada she wrote on social networks her experience in the country had been wonderful, not a likely message by a girl raped 12 mos before.

Eventually a few days ago he was released after appeal for not having committed the crime. It was all a big misunderstanding and she did not wish to contradict her girlfriend and had not understood what was happening. She sent him public messages of apology via twitter.

Posted by Popper on 11/17/14 at 11:13 AM | #

On the case of Serena, we certainly need more details.  Simulation [of a crime] and calumny [accusing someone you know innocent of having committed a crime] are serious matters.

If she is investigated magistrates have elements that obligated them to inform her of their suspects, it is an act for her protection. If video material exists I fear it must be explicitly against her version, but we do not know enough to be able to give an informed opinion.

Version presented by some UK papers is uninformed and biased, as we have seen often in MK’s case.  Worst of all, it is exaggerated. An investigation is not a conviction, and if I were Serena [and a victim] I would certainly go there with a lawyer and explain the facts to exculpate myself and get the guilty convicted.

In any case, the risk she ends up in jail is quite low.  It is fairly likely that, even if convicted for the above crimes [after a trial and 2 appeals], her sentence will be suspended, if statute of limitations does not kick in first.  It follows that her justification for not going back to explain herself to a judge is ridiculous. 

If she is lying and is guilty of simulation and calumny, it will be one of many cases, certainly not a surprise or uncommon.  Unfortunately many crimes are simulated every day, which makes more difficult and expensive the prosecution of real crimes.

Posted by Popper on 11/17/14 at 01:14 PM | #

Off topic but - if anyone is interested in early warning signs of psychopathy - the case of Lord Lucan is interesting. Lucan brutally murdered the family nanny in 1974 and then did a runner, never to be seen again.

It turns out – and this is new to me - that his mother once had occasion (it would be interesting to know the specifics) to take her young son to see the top London psychoanalyst of the day, Donald Winnicott, who described Lucan as having an “attachment disorder” and recommended he should be given a dog (did he ever get it?).

Lucan, like AK, would score very highly on the Hare psychopathy check list. (Item 3 is very marked in Lucan’s case. He was totally addicted to gambling in London casinos and throughout Europe, becoming almost bankrupt as a result. He also participated in high risk activities like bobsleighing and speedboat racing)

1. GLIB AND SUPERFICIAL CHARM — the tendency to be smooth, engaging, charming, slick, and verbally facile. Psychopathic charm is not in the least shy, self-conscious, or afraid to say anything. A psychopath never gets tongue-tied. He can also be a great listener, to simulate empathy while zeroing in on his targets’ dreams and vulnerabilities, to be able to manipulate them better.
2. GRANDIOSE SELF-WORTH — a grossly inflated view of one’s abilities and self-worth, self-assured, opinionated, cocky, a braggart. Psychopaths are arrogant people who believe they are superior human beings.
3. NEED FOR STIMULATION or PRONENESS TO BOREDOM — an excessive need for novel, thrilling, and exciting stimulation; taking chances and doing things that are risky. Psychopaths often have a low self-discipline in carrying tasks through to completion because they get bored easily. They fail to work at the same job for any length of time, for example, or to finish tasks that they consider dull or routine.
4. PATHOLOGICAL LYING — can be moderate or high; in moderate form, they will be shrewd, crafty, cunning, sly, and clever; in extreme form, they will be deceptive, deceitful, underhanded, unscrupulous, manipulative and dishonest.
5. CONNING AND MANIPULATIVENESS: the use of deceit and deception to cheat, con, or defraud others for personal gain; distinguished from Item #4 in the degree to which exploitation and callous ruthlessness is present, as reflected in a lack of concern for the feelings and suffering of one’s victims.
6. LACK OF REMORSE OR GUILT:  a lack of feelings or concern for the losses, pain, and suffering of victims; a tendency to be unconcerned, dispassionate, coldhearted and unempathic. This item is usually demonstrated by a disdain for one’s victims.
7. SHALLOW AFFECT:  emotional poverty or a limited range or depth of feelings; interpersonal coldness in spite of signs of open gregariousness and superficial warmth.
8. CALLOUSNESS and LACK OF EMPATHY:  a lack of feelings toward people in general; cold, contemptuous, inconsiderate, and tactless.
9. PARASITIC LIFESTYLE: an intentional, manipulative, selfis, and exploitative financial dependence on others as reflected in a lack of motivation, low self-discipline and the inability to carry through one’s responsibilities.
10. POOR BEHAVIORAL CONTROLS:  expressions of irritability, annoyance, impatience, threats, aggression and verbal abuse; inadequate control of anger and temper; acting hastily.
11. PROMISCUOUS SEXUAL BEHAVIOR: a variety of brief, superficial relations, numerous affairs, and an indiscriminate selection of sexual partners; the maintenance of numerous, multiple relationships at the same time; a history of attempts to sexually coerce others into sexual activity (rape) or taking great pride at discussing sexual exploits and conquests.
12. EARLY BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS: a variety of behaviors prior to age 13, including lying, theft, cheating, vandalism, bullying, sexual activity, fire-setting, glue-sniffing, alcohol use and running away from home.
13. LACK OF REALISTIC, LONG-TERM GOALS: an inability or persistent failure to develop and execute long-term plans and goals; a nomadic existence, aimless, lacking direction in life.
14. IMPULSIVITY: the occurrence of behaviors that are unpremeditated and lack reflection or planning; inability to resist temptation, frustrations and momentary urges; a lack of deliberation without considering the consequences; foolhardy, rash, unpredictable, erratic and reckless.
15. IRRESPONSIBILITY: repeated failure to fulfill or honor obligations and commitments; such as not paying bills, defaulting on loans, performing sloppy work, being absent or late to work, failing to honor contractual agreements.
16. FAILURE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR OWN ACTIONS: a failure to accept responsibility for one’s actions reflected in low conscientiousness, an absence of dutifulness, antagonistic manipulation, denial of responsibility, and an effort to manipulate others through this denial.
17. MANY SHORT-TERM RELATIONSHIPS: a lack of commitment to a long-term relationship reflected in inconsistent, undependable, and unreliable commitments in life, including in marital and familial bonds.
18. JUVENILE DELINQUENCY: behavior problems between the ages of 13-18; mostly behaviors that are crimes or clearly involve aspects of antagonism, exploitation, aggression, manipulation, or a callous, ruthless tough-mindedness.
19. REVOCATION OF CONDITION RELEASE: a revocation of probation or other conditional release due to technical violations, such as carelessness, low deliberation or failing to appear.
20. CRIMINAL VERSATILITY: a diversity of types of criminal offenses, regardless if the person has been arrested or convicted for them; taking great pride at getting away with crimes or wrongdoings.


During WW11 Lucan was evacuated as a 4 year-old to the USA and this could well be the origin or at least an amplifier of his attachment disorder.  Similarly AK’s parents divorcing when she was a two year-old could be pivotal.  Did Edda subsequently ever have occasion or at least feel the need for AK to see a therapist? I think we should be told!

Posted by Odysseus on 11/18/14 at 12:27 PM | #

Just following on from my last post, it appears that Donald Winnicott actually served as consultant psychiatrist to the evacuee programme and with his wife Clare Britton, a social worker, treated children displaced from their homes by wartime evacuation.

Posted by Odysseus on 11/18/14 at 01:31 PM | #

Thank you Odysseus.

Daunting to think that although these characteristics are known and established, some people still fail to recognise the type, and become very sadly taken in and duped by their ‘charm’ and deceiving behaviour.
It is not always easy ‘see through’ them, though, and the nature of the (normal) human being is to want to trust…precisely what the psychopath takes ruthless advantage of.

Posted by SeekingUnderstanding on 11/18/14 at 02:25 PM | #

@SeekingUnderstanding

Indeed. I suppose the extent that people are taken in and charmed reveals their own insecurities. It can be something of a jungle out there if you’re not centred!

Scarily,  even if you are centred or are simply minding your own business you can run foul of these people, like Lucan’s and AK’s victims.

Posted by Odysseus on 11/18/14 at 03:37 PM | #

yes, indeed (to your last sentence, Odysseus)...that’s what makes these characters so truly dangerous, and a threat to society.
People become true victims - in the sense they have done nothing - zero - to ‘deserve’ or encourage what befell them from these ruthless hands and minds.
In fact the opposite… it is so often the beautiful, the generous in spirit, the talented, the forgiving and the kind ..who are the ones targeted by such people. I believe they cannot bear the contrast, of those more gifted, against themselves.
Narcissists, at the most severe end, feel empty inside. Envy hardly describes their furious resentments.

I think that is why we feel aware of, and horrified by, such gross injustice -unjust and unfair on every level.

Posted by SeekingUnderstanding on 11/18/14 at 06:07 PM | #

“Narcissists, at the most severe end, feel empty inside. Envy hardly describes their furious resentments”.

That’s a really succinct description -  at bottom they are empty. Thank you.

On another level, common or garden neurotics can also feel empty but have more or less robust defences that keep the feeling from awareness, although it can get acted out in strange ways.

As you know Jung would likely have called it a spiritual crisis in both cases.

Posted by Odysseus on 11/18/14 at 08:43 PM | #

...and so, in finding one’s own inner spiritual resources (whatever they variously may be).. there’s an opportunity to partially reverse or transcend the neuroses, - but with ‘bottom level’ (level 5) narcissists?

I somehow doubt whether authentic spiritual experience is possible with zero empathy, and also not having emotional imagination that stems from that, - so does this mean that in the true psychopath, their neurology denies them access to the uplift or peace ( or what used to be called ‘grace’) that can come from such an experience?

If so, it is a recipe for fury and envy, and describes too why they are so restless, and prone to chasing sensation, especially through drink and drugs etc.
‘graceless’ often describes such a person too.

Posted by SeekingUnderstanding on 11/18/14 at 10:16 PM | #

Agreed. There are no easy answers.

Posted by Odysseus on 11/18/14 at 10:25 PM | #

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