From Dailymail · · 2m
I was questioned by the police after taking a selfie with my daughter
Single mother saved £1,000 monthly for 13 months after police investigated her for harassment over social media posts.
In brief
Single mother saved £1,000 monthly for 13 months after police investigated her for harassment over social media posts. Rebecca Tidy spent 13 months frantically saving for legal bills after police investigated her for harassment over four social media posts. Originally reported by Dailymail.
Police questioned Rebecca Tidy
Rebecca Tidy was questioned by police after taking a selfie with her daughter on a beach near Newquay.
“I was questioned by the police after taking a selfie with my daughter”
13-month police investigation
Rebecca Tidy faced a 13-month police investigation after being accused of harassment over four social media posts.
“For a year, I saved frantically for legal bills and didn't turn my heating on”
Social media posts as evidence
Police used four social media posts as evidence: a factual update about a police officer's charges, a Plymouth Live article link, initials of the defendant, and a beach selfie.
“The first was a factual update: 'Former Devon + Cornwall Police officer Harry Tangye has been charged with stalking and harassment after an investigation led by West Yorkshire Police'”
Legal costs for single mother
Rebecca Tidy saved £1,000 monthly for 13 months to cover potential legal costs after police threatened her with arrest.
“I realised that by setting aside £1,000 a month, I would still only get two hours and 13 minutes of legal representation”
Heating and essentials
Rebecca Tidy didn't turn on her heating for 13 months and cut non-essential expenses including haircuts, Botox, and groceries.
“I was even too nervous to pay to have the hot water fixed when it broke last winter”
Police closed case
Devon and Cornwall Police closed the case after 13 months with no further action, stating they would 'seek to update' the suspect.
“They had decided to take no further action against me less than a fortnight after my interview under caution, thirteen months previous”
Police performance issues
Devon and Cornwall Police were rated Level Three by the watchdog for failing to allocate cases effectively.
“His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services escalated the force to Level Three of its Policing Performance System”
Impact on family
Rebecca Tidy prioritized her daughter's education and wellbeing while saving for potential legal costs.
“For thirteen months, this uncertainty shaped the decisions I made about money, work and our home”
Financial strain
Rebecca Tidy cut non-essential expenses including Mounjaro prescriptions, Botox, and switched grocery shopping from Waitrose to Lidl.
“I instantly culled all non-essential purchases including my monthly Mounjaro prescription, quarterly Botox top-up and lip filler”
Case closed
Rebecca Tidy discovered the police case was closed 13 months after the initial interview with no further action.
“The police had decided to take no further action against me less than a fortnight after my interview under caution, thirteen months previous”
Police response
Devon and Cornwall Police stated they would 'seek to update' the suspect but took no further action after 13 months.
“Their own record stated: 'I will seek to update Suspect of this outcome'”
Financial impact
Rebecca Tidy saved £1,000 monthly for 13 months to cover potential legal costs after police threatened her with arrest.
“I realised that by setting aside £1,000 a month, I would still only get two hours and 13 minutes of legal representation”
Case resolution
Rebecca Tidy discovered the police case was closed 13 months after the initial interview with no further action.
“The police had decided to take no further action against me less than a fortnight after my interview under caution, thirteen months previous”
Police accountability
Devon and Cornwall Police were rated Level Three by the watchdog for failing to allocate cases effectively.
“His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services escalated the force to Level Three of its Policing Performance System”
Family impact
Rebecca Tidy prioritized her daughter's education and wellbeing while saving for potential legal costs.
“For thirteen months, this uncertainty shaped the decisions I made about money, work and our home”
Financial strain
Rebecca Tidy cut non-essential expenses including Mounjaro prescriptions, Botox, and switched grocery shopping from Waitrose to Lidl.
“I instantly culled all non-essential purchases including my monthly Mounjaro prescription, quarterly Botox top-up and lip filler”
The big picture
Rebecca Tidy spent 13 months frantically saving for legal bills after police investigated her for harassment over four social media posts.
