Assistance - how to deal with violent neighbour

Assistance - how to deal with violent neighbour

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kiethton

Original Poster:

13,917 posts

181 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
quotequote all
So long story but I need some assistance on how to play this...

Further to my Housing Dilemma thread things have taken a step-change for the worse.

I live in a sthole, surrounded by council/HA tenants that like nothing better than to make life hard, party all night, most nights and consume copious amounts of drugs/booze without the consideration of others....and generally do what they please. I've now sold the flat, well agreed to, but the legal process is taking an age (12 weeks since offer accepted)...and I've got a pretty serious neighbor situation now.

On Wednesday I was assaulted by a neighbour (the same one that has been causing ongoing issues) with a metal pole after he yet again blocked cars in. This time it was my mother who needed the car the following day for hospital appointments (C patient - she was visiting for dinner). Usually he comes down and moves them immediately with a bit of abuse (I can put up with this) but this time, after near 40mins trying to get him to move it with no reply to door buzzers, it came to 11pm and I decided to swivel the thing round with a trolley jack and skid plates to liberate the car (yes, in hindsight calling the police would have been a little better).

Needless to say he then came down with a metal pole and proceeded to hit me round the head with it, I didn't raise a finger but blocked near enough all swings, biting my tongue as he also took a swing at my 540i's bumper... Police were called at the time as my GF was with me and worried, statements were taken, but we held off having him lifted then and there owing to needing to (hopefully) peacefully removing our property (anything outside was removed immediately) and we moved to stay with relatives in the interim.

Fast forward to this weekend and we were moving stuff out in a van borrowed from a friend. We have most of it done by yesterday but he pipes up from a window, saying he's coming down for me, whilst demanding money (£500 for a battered escort van with no MOT) for a warning light caused by jacking it up...I ignore him and we leave it locked and go upstairs...he lets himself in, bragging that he has access to everywhere, and comes up the stairs, armed with a sharp 90' bent metal tool. By this point, given the delay in him coming up we were leaving (we decided to given his piping up and a near-full van).

We get in the van and try to leave, he blocks us in (private property) by standing in front, hitting the van panels and windscreen with the tool, shouting etc. By this time we've locked ourselves in and are on the phone to the police, requesting an urgent response to get him gone.

Being a chav he is calling others that live around us and sending people to move cars/vans to block us in, whilst doing so he continues hitting the van with the tool and making threats against us, the operator is informed over the response line. Fearing for my safety I ask if we can just go, on multiple occasions, whilst requesting he moves. Operator confirms that we can do whatever needed to stay safe including driving through him, seeing others (his friends) coming, we tell him to move again, he doesn't so I go anyway....

He tried resisting by staying standing in front but realists that isn't happening so instead jumps to the side, running alongside trying to smash it and the drivers window (all happens whilst on the phone to 999)....I drive away to safety.

Further statements are taken by the police who meet us and he is arrested that evening, apparently after kicking off...

Two issues remain:

I still have ~25% of our possessions in the flat that I need to clear and a violent neighbour to get around - my GF doesn't want either of us going back for safety

He has called up the friend I borrowed the van from stating that he is claiming compensashun for injuries. I do not want him involved. Although he is supportive, his policy should not be called into question here (I was covered on my DOV but also his FC). Thankfully the friend is going to say I was borrowing it under my DOV/private property - sue me directly to send him onto me....how do I defend this?

Much help with this stty situation welcomed!

Let's just hope the solicitor pulls their finger out!

Edited by kiethton on Monday 23 November 16:27

kiethton

Original Poster:

13,917 posts

181 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
quotequote all
surveyor said:
Don't follow all the OP, but sounds grim.

I'd suggest that if you need to go back, you call and ask the Police for advice.
Sorry retyped on a computer - had a mare on the phone

kiethton

Original Poster:

13,917 posts

181 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
quotequote all
Thanks for the pointers all

The police did recommend this action but said that it would be PCSO's - they will be getting a call when moving the final bits out nonetheless

The GF is highly stressed and worried for our safety and insists that neither her or I go back, I've said I'd go back with the police there, but even then she's having none of it.

With the emptying issue its the fact not everything is packed (the majority is though) and knowing what to take/leave on which I'm still trying to get an answer from the solicitors, got the other thigs of a quick clean/fixing the toilet that decided to break on us last week (plastic ballcock equivalent thing).

Sounds a little rah but I know very few large friends (beyond those that are just very fat...), I'm probably the largest myself @ 6'1 and ~17st (bar the one that helped me yesterday - he's not a confrontational type though).

For the compo claim I have given my friend my policy doc in the event it is more than just a hollow threat. I won't let his insurance be prejudiced by it....He's a lot older/world-wise and suggests it'll go nowhere...given it happened whilst on the phone to the emergency services, given previous events and the fact he was even arrested I presume nothing can happen? I'm just more annoyed that my friend's being dragged into this mess TBH. Threats made against family also worry me - says he knows where they live....I doubt it but its still that extra thought.....

Just can't wait to get to the new place and put it all behind me.

kiethton

Original Poster:

13,917 posts

181 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
quotequote all
contango said:
Madness! What if the purchasers conveyancing solicitor finds out, will the purchaser go ahead or at the same purchase price? Are they linked?
Thankfully we are all but exchanged now and forms requiring any disclosure were done months ago.

They've paid a sizable deposit to proceed which they'll forfeit if they back out now...

kiethton

Original Poster:

13,917 posts

181 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
quotequote all
Hey'ho will speak to solicitor forthwith, all I know is I want out...

I am not a named driver on the other policy, it's a commercial over xx yeas old with permission etc...I'll be sure to give a run around, drag it out etc. worst case it's down as no insurance and he can sue me, there must be an exception in the specific circumstance.

Beyond some spilled red bull the van was fine, can't see any obvious marks and where he was hitting the windows they are minorly marked but didn't give in, glad as I didn't want to have to fix it too.

Thankfully my friend is good at these things, he has refused to speak to him, will only engage with a lawyer or the police. As he wouldn't get legal aid this'll hopefully pass

kiethton

Original Poster:

13,917 posts

181 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
quotequote all
Blaster72 said:
Greendubber said:
What happened to him after he was arrested, charged, bailed etc?
I'd like to know this too, it was madness not to have him arrested for assaulting you with a metal bar the first time around.
I did want him arrested, although only after I removed possessions, seemed that backfired

kiethton

Original Poster:

13,917 posts

181 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
quotequote all
LoonR1 said:
kiethton said:
Hey'ho will speak to solicitor forthwith, all I know is I want out...

I am not a named driver on the other policy, it's a commercial over xx yeas old with permission etc...I'll be sure to give a run around, drag it out etc. worst case it's down as no insurance and he can sue me, there must be an exception in the specific circumstance.

Beyond some spilled red bull the van was fine, can't see any obvious marks and where he was hitting the windows they are minorly marked but didn't give in, glad as I didn't want to have to fix it too.

Thankfully my friend is good at these things, he has refused to speak to him, will only engage with a lawyer or the police. As he wouldn't get legal aid this'll hopefully pass
So he hit the van and windows of the van with this metal tool, but did no damage?

Why would there be an exception for you and insurance? I read it that you were covered on his policy, but clearly that's not the case. Your car DOC is unlikely to provide cover for you.

Legal aid has nothing to do with him chasing you for injury on a motor claim.

I'm not siding with him, but just pointing out where you're leaving yourself wide open.
No worries, if it doesn't it doesn't...we'll drag it out

There are small marks on the glass, given its a working commercial vehicle it's rather insignificant

I'm trying to say I'll try and drag out the process as long as possible, my argument from before, if your escaping to safety from being on private land for the immediate period of aggro surely you don't need insurance/or could argue the toss

kiethton

Original Poster:

13,917 posts

181 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
Thanks for the help all, sorry think I fell asleep a bit early last night.....just back in work now

When he hit me with the pole there was the option to arrest, police we willing to do so, however, I (naively) thought this may cause further (worse) issues - police on the whole have been brilliant.

Not much is left in the flat now, remaining valuables have been removed by my GF's father whilst he was at the station, its just some last bits and bobs that I'm not too sure are to remain or not and our road bikes...(3)