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'INJUSTICE'

Caroline Flack’s mum says star was ‘surrounded by love’ but CPS show trial was ‘too much for her’

CAROLINE Flack’s mum today described how the star was "surrounded by love" - but the CPS decision to push on with assault charges was "too much for her".

Grieving Chris today released her daughter's final, unpublished Instagram post which showed she was "not blaming anyone or pointing any fingers" before her death.

 Caroline Flack was tragically found dead at home on Saturday
Caroline Flack was tragically found dead at home on SaturdayCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Caroline, pictured with mum Chris, had written the powerful message before she died but never shared it
Caroline, pictured with mum Chris, had written the powerful message before she died but never shared it

The 40-year-old's unseen Instagram post described how she felt her "whole world and future was swept from under her feet" as she faced trial for allegedly assaulting boyfriend Lewis Burton.

Speaking for the first time since her daughter's tragic death on Saturday, Chris told the Eastern Daily Press: "It was describing how she was feeling and what she had gone through - no more than that.

"It was not blaming anyone or pointing any fingers."

In the post, Caroline wrote: "Within 24 hours my whole world and future was swept from under my feet and all the walls that I had taken so long to build around me, collapsed."

Grieving mum Chris added: "Carrie sent me this message at the end of January but was told not to post it by advisers but she so wanted to have her little voice heard.

"So many untruths were out there but this is how she felt and my family and I would like people to read her own words.

"Carrie was surrounded by love and friends but this was just too much for her."

Chris added: "Jody her twin sister was there her whole life for her but this time nothing could take away the hurt of such injustice. As Carrie would say: 'In a nasty world just be kind'."

And she paid tribute to Caroline's friends including Molly, Lou, Sam, Liam and Simon for supporting her.

Her family and managers have accused the CPS of a "show trial" that put pressure on Caroline in the days before her death.

And in the heartbreaking unpublished post, Caroline said: "I have always taken responsibility for what happened that night. Even on the night. But the truth is .... It was an accident."

She added: "I am NOT a domestic abuser."

Caroline also said in her post: "I can't spend every day hidden away being told not to say or speak to anyone.

"I'm not thinking about 'how I'm going to get my career back.' I'm thinking about how I'm going to get mine and my family's life back."

'JUST BE KIND'

Caroline had been plunged into despair after the decision to charge her with assault in December despite Lewis, 27, begging the Crown Prosecution Service not to proceed with the case.

The former Love Island host was found dead in her east London flat on Saturday, the day after she had been told that the CPS would continue with the case against her.

Her mum Chris today told how her daughter, who grew up in Norfolk, had sent her the Instagram post she had written but was told by advisers not to post it.

It is unclear who advised her not to publish it.

Caroline's heartbreaking unseen post

For a lot of people, being arrested for common assault is an extreme way to have some sort of spiritual awakening but for me it's become the normal. I've been pressing the snooze button on many stresses in my life - for my whole life.

I've accepted shame and toxic opinions on my life for over 10 years and yet told myself it's all part of my job. No complaining.

The problem with brushing things under the carpet is .... they are still there and one day someone is going to lift that carpet up and all you are going to feel is shame and embarrassment.

On December the 12th 2019 I was arrested for common assault on my boyfriend ...

Within 24 hours my whole world and future was swept from under my feet and all the walls that I had taken so long to build around me, collapsed.

I am suddenly on a different kind of stage and everyone is watching it happen. I have always taken responsibility for what happened that night. Even on the night. But the truth is .... It was an accident.

I've been having some sort of emotional breakdown for a very long time.

But I am NOT a domestic abuser.

We had an argument and an accident happened. An accident.

The blood that someone SOLD to a newspaper was MY blood and that was something very sad and very personal. The reason I am talking today is because my family can't take anymore.

I've lost my job. My home. My ability to speak. And the truth has been taken out of my hands and used as entertainment. I can't spend every day hidden away being told not to say or speak to anyone.

I'm so sorry to my family for what I have brought upon them and for what my friends have had to go through. I'm not thinking about 'how I'm going to get my career back.'

I'm thinking about how I'm going to get mine and my family's life back. I can't say anymore than that."

An inquest into Caroline's death opened this morning and heard the star died after being found hanged at her flat.

Cops were flagged down in the street and performed CPR, but she could not be saved.

Members of Caroline's family were not present in court for the five-minute hearing which was adjourned until August.

Caroline's shocking death came hours after she was told prosecutors would be pushing ahead with an assault trial - despite boyfriend Lewis' requests to drop the case.

She was said to have been determined to prove her innocence when the case eventually went to crown court, scheduled for March 4.

But she was also tormented by strict bail conditions which prevented her from contacting Lewis until after the trial - which her managers slammed as a "show trial".

Her team said she was “terrified” about the case coming to trial and footage of her arrest being played out in court.

YOU'RE NOT ALONE

EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.

It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.

It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.

And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.

Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.

That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.

The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.

Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others... You're Not Alone.

If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

The CPS is under pressure to explain why it went ahead even though she was vulnerable.

It has not provided details but has implied there was “other evidence” and the case was “in the public interest”.

tribute to Caroline featured on Monday night's episode of Love Island.

Narrator Iain Stirling told viewers: “We are absolutely devastated by the tragic news that Caroline, a much-loved member of our Love Island family, has passed away.

“Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this dreadful time.

“Like many of you, right now we’re all just trying to come to terms with what’s happened.

“My only hope is that we can all try to be kinder, always show love and listen to one another.”

 Caroline stepped down as host in December following assault charges
Caroline stepped down as host in December following assault chargesCredit: ITV
 Caroline's family released her unpublished post
Caroline's family released her unpublished postCredit: PA:Press Association
Love Island returns with Iain Stirling's emotional tribute to friend Caroline Flack after her tragic death


If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123

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