Melanie Shaw
Melanie Shaw's situation, and seeming disappearance could well be a case for a request to a judge for an order of HABEAS CORPUS.
It is an order that can be issued by whoever is at the court on the day of a hearing where Melanie is expected to attend (should Melany not appear in a public gallery).
HABEAS CORPUS is known as "the great and efficacious writ in all manner of illegal confinement", AND FAMOUSLY IS a remedy available to the meanest against the mightiest.
It is a summons with the force of a court order; it is addressed to the custodian (a prison official, for example) and demands that a prisoner be taken before the court and that the custodian present proof of authority, allowing the court to determine whether the custodian has lawful authority to detain the prisoner.
If the custodian is acting beyond his or her authority, then the prisoner must be released.
Any prisoner, OR ANOTHER PERSON ACTING ON HIS OR HER BEHALF, may petition the court, or a judge, for a writ of habeas corpus.
One reason for the writ to be sought by a person other than the prisoner is that the detainee might be held incommunicado.
There is a hearing tomorrow, Monday 15th October 2018.
If there will be anyone there from her support group with legal experience then they should know something of the ropes - or failing that the Court staff have a duty to assist and generally are helpful - albeit limp.
This would only apply if Melanie WAS NOT there in person to be seen by all and her whereabouts declared in public court.
Melanie Shaw has every right and reason to not have perfect recall of events and to have a skewed view of what has happened. So everything may not be one hundred per cent as she states it.
But if 90%, 80% or even 25% true - this is an account that needs listening to my a lot of people - in bowler hats, wigs and uniforms. And especially those currently occupying a seat in Parliament or Local Council.
This is not - I believe smoke without fire.