Will i be able to join

[AussieBloke]

I am coming to the UK in about 2 months and am hoping to joing the PARAs

I have 2 problems that maybe some-one can help me with. I have a criminal record and am aware that this can be a problem. Its is only one offence and Its an assult charge and then a charge that is to do with there being several people involved. Don't really want to get to much into it but was a brawl outside pub 3am and these two charges were laid. Any way all i got was a 12 month good behaviour bond (might be the same as probation in th UK not exaclty sure) and a fine. I am aware the bond needs to be served before i can apply but was wondering if any-one has had to deal with this issue or knows some-one who did and what the outcome was wether they were rejected because of it.

The other problem i have (not so much a problem just a query) I'll have just turned 23 when my bond has finshed. Will this be too old to join. I think the age is 26 but realisticaly will 23 be past my used by date. I am almost fitt enough can do enough push ups and sits ups in 2 mins not fast enough for the run yet but will get there by the time i can join. How old is the average person joining the PARAS will i be the oldest mug there???

1 more question might sound stupid but if i on't ask i won't know. In the Aussie army the entry test sit ups your feet can be held Is this the same in for the PARAs. (i can do without feet held just want to know is all)

Thanks

[jcclimber]

I've just turned 25 and my start date is next month(struggled to get my first 2 years under my belt ). Some other blokes at RSC were also 23 or 24 so don't worry too much about the age thing.

[AussieBloke]

Thanks for that jcclimber was a bit worried i'd be over the hill!!

Can any-one out there let me know if they joined with a criminal record or if they knew any-one that did??

Also still curious about those sit-ups???
[/quote]

[AussieBloke]

Come on??? anybody have any advice for me about joining with a record??? The recruitment officer i got in touch with would basically only tell me i had to apply and it would be taken on a case by case basis but i was wondering if any-one new about any of those cases??? Any info you can give me would be much appreciated as i'm travelling a long way to do this and would like to know what my chances are.....

[Ruth]

Hi, I really don't know for definite, but there are a lot of guys in the forces with things like that on their records (I used to know several!). I think they'll want to know circumstances and hear you say that it won't happen again.

This is just my impression. The AFCO probably doesn't have the power to say "not a problem" but would probably tell you if it was definitely "no" - it wouldn't be worth their time seeing you if that was the case.

[Jimmy]

Allright mate? Im from a little town in Scotland and made recent enquiry with my local careers office in Stirling, after the initial sniggering when I told them I wanted to join the Paras I explained my circumstances of my own criminal record and was told that as long as everything had happened at the same time it would come under one charge from thier point of view and I should be OK to apply as soon as my court fine was paid and my community service completed.

I think it would be best as Ruth says to tell tehm it will never happen again, cos we all have our stupid moments

My offences were mainly Road traffic related, apart from the outrageous crime of being in possession of a stolen traffic cone

Hope this helps mate

[AussieBloke]

Thanks for your replys...now that i think about it, just like you said if it was a definate no they would have told me that rather than waste there own time especially since i said i'm coming from Australia to do it

Possession of a stolen road traffic cone???.....sorry mate but that had to hurt.... Can i ask why the sniggering when you told them you wanted to join the PARAs?? Is there something i should know about the Paras that im missing

[Jimmy]

Nah mate, it was the local recruiting office for my area and obviously they were trying to get me to join the local regiment (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders), rather than the Paras straight off, they told me how much harder it would be also to try and put me off I think, but its what I want to do.

Good luck mate, all the best

[im2skill]

I was told to come back 6 months after I had finished community service, I had an assault charge too. That's for the army, the navy wouldnt take me for 5 years, until my conviction was 'spent'.

F**k that tho, im joining the french foreign legion, or at least try.

I'm not sure how criminal offenses 'translate' from australia to UK. In UK conditional discharge means no action is taken unless you offend again within the time. Does that sound like a 'behaviour bond' ? Anyway, from what I can remember i think the AFCO said that would have been ok to join straight away, I THINK.

If you are coming to UK just to join then i think you should try contacting a recruitment officer again, you dont want a wasted journey!

[AussieBloke]

The behaviour bond is exactly like that mate. Just a fine and unless i reoffend within the 12 months nothing else happens.

Don't mean to pry but what was your sentance for the assult charge?? They told me it depends on what your sentance is aswell.

[TAFFY]

Slightly off the subject here I know but I was wondering if any of you guys could help. I was caught speeding on a motorway a couple of years back & the case was dealt with by a court, although I did not have to attend, where I received £350 fine 4 penalty points. Would this class as a criminal record ????

[AussieBloke]

Not sure about UK law mate but over here you would definatley know if you've had a criminal conviction recorded against you. The judge or your lawyer would make it very clear to you that its been recorded. Over here speeding is not a criminal conviction.

[wannabe_bootneck]

More hearsay from ever helpful Ruth, mate, get on the phone to the careers office, i think you wanna speak to a london office if you're overseas, be completely honest with them give them all the detaisl and they will gen you up. There are a rigid set of rules regarding those with criminal offences on their record it's called the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act if I remember correctly that they judge you on. And the goalposts for things like this can change over time, so like I say get on the phone, give them all the info they need and they will find out what the bobby moore is for you. Comments like I know some bods in the forces who have records are as useful as a chocolate tea pot with regards to something like this.

[TAFFY]

Not sure about UK law mate but over here you would definatley know if you've had a criminal conviction recorded against you. The judge or your lawyer would make it very clear to you that its been recorded. Over here speeding is not a criminal conviction.

Cheers pal, yeah, just found out it's a motoring offence & so not a criminal conviction, which is awesome because the fire brigade are due to do a criminal check on me for recruitment, phew!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ruth]

More hearsay from ever helpful Ruth, mate, get on the phone to the careers office, i think you wanna speak to a london office if you're overseas, be completely honest with them give them all the detaisl and they will gen you up. There are a rigid set of rules regarding those with criminal offences on their record it's called the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act if I remember correctly that they judge you on. And the goalposts for things like this can change over time, so like I say get on the phone, give them all the info they need and they will find out what the bobby moore is for you. Comments like I know some bods in the forces who have records are as useful as a chocolate tea pot with regards to something like this.

Glad to see you're getting personal! I responded as no-one with better knowledge had. Chip in earlier yourself if you can help someone - that's what the forum is for, not for slagging.
The person who asked the question and started the thread seemed to find something of use in my answer, so it was useful than a chocolate teapot, and definitnely more than no answer.