Unwanted contact - Harrasment?
Discussion
A relative (A) has an elder relation (B) (in-law via C) whom fell out and distanced themselves from the family years ago.
C died a few years ago. A has had no contact with B for around five years, nor even wants to as B is a bit of a nasty piece of work, there is a history of violence and verbal abuse from B to others (not A or C) and has a reputation for not paying for work done on the caravan site they own (they are not of the Traveller variety btw.......just a tight fisted Yorkshireperson).
A blocked Bs number months ago. B started e-mailing A (As e-mail is firstname.lastname@bigprovideroffreeemails.com) so we think was a lucky guess. She replied a few times stating to B no contact was wanted and before Christmas told B they'd be blocked as spam. When looking in their spam folder for an e-mail from a merchant that might have gone to spam, A noticed a reply from B last week "that if she didn't reply to e-mail, B would be paying her a visit in the next couple of weeks". Again similar e-mail this weekend with a "you can't stop me doing this".
B hasn't as far a A can tell been in touch with any other family A knows.
Been reported to local constabulary via their online form for a reference number and advice. Does this count as Harassment and can A ask B to desist legally? Can you tell someone you don't want contact but they can still turn up anyway? A solicitor friend suggests that there has to be an intent of violence for it to be Harassment? Isn't that a bit too late if you have been headbutted on your doorstep (an MO of B). [Ring Doorbell installed to cover that]. How do you get them to go away if they turn up. Call the Rozzers?
C died a few years ago. A has had no contact with B for around five years, nor even wants to as B is a bit of a nasty piece of work, there is a history of violence and verbal abuse from B to others (not A or C) and has a reputation for not paying for work done on the caravan site they own (they are not of the Traveller variety btw.......just a tight fisted Yorkshireperson).
A blocked Bs number months ago. B started e-mailing A (As e-mail is firstname.lastname@bigprovideroffreeemails.com) so we think was a lucky guess. She replied a few times stating to B no contact was wanted and before Christmas told B they'd be blocked as spam. When looking in their spam folder for an e-mail from a merchant that might have gone to spam, A noticed a reply from B last week "that if she didn't reply to e-mail, B would be paying her a visit in the next couple of weeks". Again similar e-mail this weekend with a "you can't stop me doing this".
B hasn't as far a A can tell been in touch with any other family A knows.
Been reported to local constabulary via their online form for a reference number and advice. Does this count as Harassment and can A ask B to desist legally? Can you tell someone you don't want contact but they can still turn up anyway? A solicitor friend suggests that there has to be an intent of violence for it to be Harassment? Isn't that a bit too late if you have been headbutted on your doorstep (an MO of B). [Ring Doorbell installed to cover that]. How do you get them to go away if they turn up. Call the Rozzers?
If not yet harassment - this may under the malicious comms act S127 -
a person may be guilty of an offence by persistently making use of a public communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another person
A series of calls may well amount to a course of conduct and the Police should deal as harassment
a person may be guilty of an offence by persistently making use of a public communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another person
A series of calls may well amount to a course of conduct and the Police should deal as harassment
Bigends said:
If not yet harassment - this may under the malicious comms act S127 -
a person may be guilty of an offence by persistently making use of a public communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another person
A series of calls may well amount to a course of conduct and the Police should deal as harassment
This a person may be guilty of an offence by persistently making use of a public communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another person
A series of calls may well amount to a course of conduct and the Police should deal as harassment
The Solicitor friend must have been a bloke down the pub maybe, as above violence does not have to be directly threatened for it to be harassment especially if the actions leave the victim feeling threatened
Allegro_Snapon said:
A relative (A) has an elder relation (B) (in-law via C) whom fell out and distanced themselves from the family years ago.
C died a few years ago. A has had no contact with B for around five years, nor even wants to as B is a bit of a nasty piece of work, there is a history of violence and verbal abuse from B to others (not A or C) and has a reputation for not paying for work done on the caravan site they own (they are not of the Traveller variety btw.......just a tight fisted Yorkshireperson).
A blocked Bs number months ago. B started e-mailing A (As e-mail is firstname.lastname@bigprovideroffreeemails.com) so we think was a lucky guess. She replied a few times stating to B no contact was wanted and before Christmas told B they'd be blocked as spam. When looking in their spam folder for an e-mail from a merchant that might have gone to spam, A noticed a reply from B last week "that if she didn't reply to e-mail, B would be paying her a visit in the next couple of weeks". Again similar e-mail this weekend with a "you can't stop me doing this".
B hasn't as far a A can tell been in touch with any other family A knows.
Been reported to local constabulary via their online form for a reference number and advice. Does this count as Harassment and can A ask B to desist legally? Can you tell someone you don't want contact but they can still turn up anyway? A solicitor friend suggests that there has to be an intent of violence for it to be Harassment? Isn't that a bit too late if you have been headbutted on your doorstep (an MO of B). [Ring Doorbell installed to cover that]. How do you get them to go away if they turn up. Call the Rozzers?
Sounds like harassment to me. The fact they’ve told them not to contact them and they still have…keep the emails. C died a few years ago. A has had no contact with B for around five years, nor even wants to as B is a bit of a nasty piece of work, there is a history of violence and verbal abuse from B to others (not A or C) and has a reputation for not paying for work done on the caravan site they own (they are not of the Traveller variety btw.......just a tight fisted Yorkshireperson).
A blocked Bs number months ago. B started e-mailing A (As e-mail is firstname.lastname@bigprovideroffreeemails.com) so we think was a lucky guess. She replied a few times stating to B no contact was wanted and before Christmas told B they'd be blocked as spam. When looking in their spam folder for an e-mail from a merchant that might have gone to spam, A noticed a reply from B last week "that if she didn't reply to e-mail, B would be paying her a visit in the next couple of weeks". Again similar e-mail this weekend with a "you can't stop me doing this".
B hasn't as far a A can tell been in touch with any other family A knows.
Been reported to local constabulary via their online form for a reference number and advice. Does this count as Harassment and can A ask B to desist legally? Can you tell someone you don't want contact but they can still turn up anyway? A solicitor friend suggests that there has to be an intent of violence for it to be Harassment? Isn't that a bit too late if you have been headbutted on your doorstep (an MO of B). [Ring Doorbell installed to cover that]. How do you get them to go away if they turn up. Call the Rozzers?
If they turn up, call 999. Keep windows and doors locked. Keep a mobile on you at all times with enough battery to call if needed.
Don’t need violence for it to be harassment.
Ta, I think I may have misunderstood what A said I think she did say the solicitor meant she could / had to feel threatened by the possibility of violence.
Haven't a clue what B wants. They used to be well off from their own business so don't think money, just being a pest. Or a bully just being a bully?
Wouldn't be surprised if given Bs age mental degradation may be at play? Family history (not sure if on that branch though).
A doesn't want B to turn up though and have to live in fear locked in her house. Her hobby is gardening meaning she'd be out front a lot of the day (especially at the mo getting the garden tidied and flower beds and hanging baskets set).
But even if it is "Harrasment" is there no way to stop a person just turning up if they have the intent? Can't get a "no contact" or some sort of order?
Haven't a clue what B wants. They used to be well off from their own business so don't think money, just being a pest. Or a bully just being a bully?
Wouldn't be surprised if given Bs age mental degradation may be at play? Family history (not sure if on that branch though).
A doesn't want B to turn up though and have to live in fear locked in her house. Her hobby is gardening meaning she'd be out front a lot of the day (especially at the mo getting the garden tidied and flower beds and hanging baskets set).
But even if it is "Harrasment" is there no way to stop a person just turning up if they have the intent? Can't get a "no contact" or some sort of order?
It's the Potection from Harassment Act 1997 that you need.
You can explain it to the police when they say they can't do anything.
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/40/conte...
You can explain it to the police when they say they can't do anything.
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/40/conte...
It Is harassment, there is harassment and then harassment qith violence which is the more serious offence which appears not to apply in this case but the basic offence of harassment still appears to be complete.
These matters should certainly be reported, if the family member concerned decided to look at a civil injunction further down the line being able to evidence they have reported matters to the Police would help their application in a civil court.
These matters should certainly be reported, if the family member concerned decided to look at a civil injunction further down the line being able to evidence they have reported matters to the Police would help their application in a civil court.
It sounds like harassment but very much the lower end of the scale. Although I imagine it's not pleasant for the recipient.
I'd report it to the police just so they have a record of it. Forces get literally dozens if not hundreds of these reports weekly but won't usually follow up unless there is a continuous campaign, direct approaches or threats of violence/threats to kill it usually gets logged and no more.
A strongly worded solicitors letter might make them stop but a relative had this from a neighbour for nearly 20 years and despite twice phoning the police only on they second time did they attend and have 'a chat'. Neighbour seemed to have some sort of mental illness which worried the relative even more when the police disclosed it. He made serious threats and accusations but they couldn't arrest him unless he made a direct approach. So she moved, didn't really want to risk being stabbed by an erratic nutcase.
I'd report it to the police just so they have a record of it. Forces get literally dozens if not hundreds of these reports weekly but won't usually follow up unless there is a continuous campaign, direct approaches or threats of violence/threats to kill it usually gets logged and no more.
A strongly worded solicitors letter might make them stop but a relative had this from a neighbour for nearly 20 years and despite twice phoning the police only on they second time did they attend and have 'a chat'. Neighbour seemed to have some sort of mental illness which worried the relative even more when the police disclosed it. He made serious threats and accusations but they couldn't arrest him unless he made a direct approach. So she moved, didn't really want to risk being stabbed by an erratic nutcase.
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