Daughter speaks of the shock when her mother was jailed for four years

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Press about the shock when she discovered her mother had been arrested and charged in 2014.

She said: “My life changed forever that night. 

“It all started on a normal Friday night when my older brother asked if I was in. I knew instantly something was wrong because he never comes unless it’s Christmas or a birthday. Nothing could prepare me for what was coming next.”

They were told by social workers that their mum had been arrested, they couldn’t tell them what the charges were, only that she would appear in court within days.

In a project run by Fife Council, she is one of four women who wrote about their own experiences of being “left behind” by a family member in prison. 

The booklet, which aims to help others who find themselves in the same situation, contains information about visiting and communicating with a prisoner, the day at court, supporting children through what is a very difficult time and dealing with other people’s attitudes. 

The daughter said: “I was very angry and in utter shock. We just spent the whole weekend asking so many questions, making up scenarios and thinking what it could possibly be that she’d done. 

“We are just a normal family, with a mum and dad who brought us up well. We all have good jobs and we’re all married – nothing like the council estate stereotype people are quick to judge by. 

“We turned up at court on the Monday and we sat, and sat, and sat, listening for hours to the other cases. Eventually when it came to my mum’s case we were told we had to leave as it was a private hearing. 

“After another blow, we were eventually told by mum’s lawyer what had happened and the state of disbelief began to set in.” 

Nine months later, at Edinburgh High Court, her mother was sentenced to four years in jail. 

The daughter said: “I didn’t know what to expect, I was very upset and very conscious of the media around. 

“All of a sudden my mum was taken to the dock from the cells, it was all a blur and I just didn’t know what to do. That was the moment my parallel life began because you’ve just to get on with reality. 

“The story hit the media before I even had a chance to tell the family and their headlines and stories were inaccurate.”

The family then faced an onslaught on social media that saw them tarred with the same brush. 

“Some people have decided that they can’t keep in contact with my mum and I respect their decision but she’s still my mum at the end of the day. 

“This has made my family stronger and less judgemental but there have been times when I’ve felt paranoid and thought people were looking at me.

“Visiting prison for the first time was very daunting but it has got easier as time has went by.”

The booklet she contributed to, The families left behind is being circulated to police, courts and social workers in Fife, and will also be given to new prisoners at some establishments.

She added: “It feels like you have been given a sentence as well but you have to just deal with it as best as you can. You’re not in a bubble like they are, time passes but it gets better.” 

To get your copy of 'The families left behind' call 0800 254 0088 or visit familiesoutside.org.uk.