Discussion
Just been in to Reading (first mistake I guess) and have been spat on by a rather obnoxious woman.
Was driving in along the A33 this afternoon at approximately 4pm. I had reached the traffic lights at the junction with Northern Way, and was in the middle lane of three (left one goes left/straight on, middle one straight on, right one turns right), one car back from the line. In the left lane, at the head of the queue was a white Ford Transit. The lights turn green and my lane pulls away I get pretty much alongside the Transit, before it even moves off the line. The Transit then decides, with no indication, to move from the lights straight into the middle lane...that I am currently occupying. A quick beep of my horn to say "Watch out, I'm here" does nothing so I hit the brakes to allow them to complete their lane change. Thankfully the gentleman in the Mercedes behind me is also quick on his brakes.
The Transit then continues on towards the dual carriageway leading to Rose Kiln Lane at around 20mph. For my safety, I decide to move completely out of their way and, after checking my mirror, move into the left hand lane, effectively "undertaking" them.
I continue on to the new traffic lights at Rose Kiln Lane and they are red. Eventually the Transit catches me up and stop behind me. After 30 seconds or so of waiting for the lights, a woman gets out of the Transit and walks up to the passenger side of my car.
She shouts "How dare you beep your horn at my <something I didn't quite understand>" at me (I am in an open top sports car). She then decides to spit on me.
The lights change and I drive off checking my mirror for their registration number.
The registration of the Transit is K367 XRD. It is white although it looks hand painted, and has various stickers on the back including one stating "turbo".
I am absolutely livid about this.
I do not want to let this lie, if only to ensure that this animal understands that this is not acceptable behaviour. Should I go to my local station or are there any Thames Valley BiB who can visit her and give her a warning?
I understand that I haven't got a hope in hell of any charges being brought but I would at least like her to know the police know about her behaviour.
Was driving in along the A33 this afternoon at approximately 4pm. I had reached the traffic lights at the junction with Northern Way, and was in the middle lane of three (left one goes left/straight on, middle one straight on, right one turns right), one car back from the line. In the left lane, at the head of the queue was a white Ford Transit. The lights turn green and my lane pulls away I get pretty much alongside the Transit, before it even moves off the line. The Transit then decides, with no indication, to move from the lights straight into the middle lane...that I am currently occupying. A quick beep of my horn to say "Watch out, I'm here" does nothing so I hit the brakes to allow them to complete their lane change. Thankfully the gentleman in the Mercedes behind me is also quick on his brakes.
The Transit then continues on towards the dual carriageway leading to Rose Kiln Lane at around 20mph. For my safety, I decide to move completely out of their way and, after checking my mirror, move into the left hand lane, effectively "undertaking" them.
I continue on to the new traffic lights at Rose Kiln Lane and they are red. Eventually the Transit catches me up and stop behind me. After 30 seconds or so of waiting for the lights, a woman gets out of the Transit and walks up to the passenger side of my car.
She shouts "How dare you beep your horn at my <something I didn't quite understand>" at me (I am in an open top sports car). She then decides to spit on me.
The lights change and I drive off checking my mirror for their registration number.
The registration of the Transit is K367 XRD. It is white although it looks hand painted, and has various stickers on the back including one stating "turbo".
I am absolutely livid about this.
I do not want to let this lie, if only to ensure that this animal understands that this is not acceptable behaviour. Should I go to my local station or are there any Thames Valley BiB who can visit her and give her a warning?
I understand that I haven't got a hope in hell of any charges being brought but I would at least like her to know the police know about her behaviour.
Report itif you want something done.
From your post, at least two offences have been committed - s5 Public Order and common assault (and possibly criminal damage).
If you still have the item that has been spat on by the woman, ensure that it is swabbed for DNA by the Police/scenes of crime - ideally withion half an hour of the incident. If they're going to be a few days getting to you, ask them how best to rpeseve it for DNA...
If I was at work, I'd be quite happy to deal with this - it could go from simple words of advice, right through to arresting her and putting her before court.
Make a (hardcopy) written note of what you saw, heard, felt, smelt, and how the incident affected you. Time and date the notes, and sign them.
From your post, at least two offences have been committed - s5 Public Order and common assault (and possibly criminal damage).
If you still have the item that has been spat on by the woman, ensure that it is swabbed for DNA by the Police/scenes of crime - ideally withion half an hour of the incident. If they're going to be a few days getting to you, ask them how best to rpeseve it for DNA...
If I was at work, I'd be quite happy to deal with this - it could go from simple words of advice, right through to arresting her and putting her before court.
Make a (hardcopy) written note of what you saw, heard, felt, smelt, and how the incident affected you. Time and date the notes, and sign them.
Dibble said:
Report itif you want something done.
From your post, at least two offences have been committed - s5 Public Order and common assault (and possibly criminal damage).
If you still have the item that has been spat on by the woman, ensure that it is swabbed for DNA by the Police/scenes of crime - ideally withion half an hour of the incident. If they're going to be a few days getting to you, ask them how best to rpeseve it for DNA...
If I was at work, I'd be quite happy to deal with this - it could go from simple words of advice, right through to arresting her and putting her before court.
Make a (hardcopy) written note of what you saw, heard, felt, smelt, and how the incident affected you. Time and date the notes, and sign them.
From your post, at least two offences have been committed - s5 Public Order and common assault (and possibly criminal damage).
If you still have the item that has been spat on by the woman, ensure that it is swabbed for DNA by the Police/scenes of crime - ideally withion half an hour of the incident. If they're going to be a few days getting to you, ask them how best to rpeseve it for DNA...
If I was at work, I'd be quite happy to deal with this - it could go from simple words of advice, right through to arresting her and putting her before court.
Make a (hardcopy) written note of what you saw, heard, felt, smelt, and how the incident affected you. Time and date the notes, and sign them.
Well said, dibble.
I had to smile at the bit above though....
"I heard the door of the Transit open, and as she approached I could smell the unmistakebale aroma of pikey."
Dibble said:
If you still have the item that has been spat on by the woman, ensure that it is swabbed for DNA by the Police/scenes of crime - ideally withion half an hour of the incident. If they're going to be a few days getting to you, ask them how best to rpeseve it for DNA...
Unfortunately it was my cheek so was wiped off within seconds and I have since showered.
I can still feel where it landed
I will make a visit to my local station tomorrow morning...I can't imagine it's open this evening (Thatcham).
TangoAlpha said:
Dibble said:
If you still have the item that has been spat on by the woman, ensure that it is swabbed for DNA by the Police/scenes of crime - ideally withion half an hour of the incident. If they're going to be a few days getting to you, ask them how best to rpeseve it for DNA...
Unfortunately it was my cheek so was wiped off within seconds and I have since showered.
I can still feel where it landed
I will make a visit to my local station tomorrow morning...I can't imagine it's open this evening (Thatcham).
Ring up TONIGHT. Get a log/incident number.
Demand action. Do not be fobbed off (assuming you want action to be taken)...
...but be prepared to go to court in 6 - 12 -18 months...
I hope that you are able to get some recourse..
I was attacked in my car (in a similar incident) by some violent loon years ago. BiB were very supportive, took the details and my statement. Bloke went to court for criminal damage (kicked the door of my new BMW in 'cos I wouldn't open my window!
) got my repair costs paid by him and felt 100% better myself for showing him that he could not behave that way and get away with it.
I was attacked in my car (in a similar incident) by some violent loon years ago. BiB were very supportive, took the details and my statement. Bloke went to court for criminal damage (kicked the door of my new BMW in 'cos I wouldn't open my window!
) got my repair costs paid by him and felt 100% better myself for showing him that he could not behave that way and get away with it. Edited by V8 Disco on Friday 13th April 21:34
Dibble said:
Ring up TONIGHT. Get a log/incident number.
Demand action. Do not be fobbed off (assuming you want action to be taken)...
...but be prepared to go to court in 6 - 12 -18 months...
Demand action. Do not be fobbed off (assuming you want action to be taken)...
...but be prepared to go to court in 6 - 12 -18 months...
Rang up, spoke to a nice young lady who took some preliminary details.
Was called after I got home by another nice young lady (a "crime reporter"?) who then took complete details of the incident.
Now have a crime number and an assurance that it will be confirmed by post (including details of the nominated investigating officer). I have also been given another phone number to use if nothing happens in the next week or so.
Thank you for your advice Dibble (and everyone else).
Make sure you've made a longhand written note (on a WP if you like) about what's happened, so that when an officer does come to see you, you'll have some notes made that will refresh your memory.
Don't forget to include what actually happened, but also the circumstances around it. How far away was the woman when she spat, what did she look like, how long did you observe her for, would you recognise her again? What was the visibility like (I'm assuming it was a clear fine day etc etc. Put that down).
Describe her as you saw her, "warts and all". If she had a particular semll, describe it. Don't forget what you felt about it - were you frightened, upset, angry, intimidated?
Include (and retain) where you noted the VRM of the Transit. Don't leave anything out - what might seem insignificant could be crucial at a later stage (ie the woman may have a noticeable mole on her face, but her similar looking sister may not...).
Don't forget to include what actually happened, but also the circumstances around it. How far away was the woman when she spat, what did she look like, how long did you observe her for, would you recognise her again? What was the visibility like (I'm assuming it was a clear fine day etc etc. Put that down).
Describe her as you saw her, "warts and all". If she had a particular semll, describe it. Don't forget what you felt about it - were you frightened, upset, angry, intimidated?
Include (and retain) where you noted the VRM of the Transit. Don't leave anything out - what might seem insignificant could be crucial at a later stage (ie the woman may have a noticeable mole on her face, but her similar looking sister may not...).
This has now been reported (Friday evening). I have a crime reference number and a PC phoned me today to arrange getting a statement. A marker has been raised against the VRN and it will be stopped to see if any of the occupants match the description I gave.
I also received a letter from "Victim Support Berkshire" this morning offering help and support. Support eh? The only support I could think of involved giving me a name, an address and a baseball bat. Not something I would ever do but it doesn't stop you thinking about it.
I also received a letter from "Victim Support Berkshire" this morning offering help and support. Support eh? The only support I could think of involved giving me a name, an address and a baseball bat. Not something I would ever do but it doesn't stop you thinking about it.
Don't knock it, it's a standard letter.
Oh god here we go again..........
True story: I got a good whacking at work and my shirt was torn half off, so that I could not button it up.
I was driven to HQ to have my injuries photographed, and as I walked in I met an immaculately dressed Chief Inspector ( why do they all wear long sleeves and cufflinks FFS ?)
I got an almighty bollocking and told to smarten myself up. He did apologise when I explained the situation, perhaps he thought I always walked into HQ with ny shirt open to the waist and covered in blood ?
Anyway the point is........that used to be what passed for victim support in the police!
Oh god here we go again..........
True story: I got a good whacking at work and my shirt was torn half off, so that I could not button it up.
I was driven to HQ to have my injuries photographed, and as I walked in I met an immaculately dressed Chief Inspector ( why do they all wear long sleeves and cufflinks FFS ?)
I got an almighty bollocking and told to smarten myself up. He did apologise when I explained the situation, perhaps he thought I always walked into HQ with ny shirt open to the waist and covered in blood ?
Anyway the point is........that used to be what passed for victim support in the police!
Don't misunderstand, I'm certainly not knocking it. I'm a bit independent so not something that (in this case) would be useful to me. I have no doubt that a lot of people need this service.
I believe that the service should be paid for by the criminals and if they can't pay for it, then they can work it off at minimum wage...after they do the punishment for the crime.
Hi, I'm TangoAlpha. That's me over there...just to right of Ghengis Khan
I believe that the service should be paid for by the criminals and if they can't pay for it, then they can work it off at minimum wage...after they do the punishment for the crime.
Hi, I'm TangoAlpha. That's me over there...just to right of Ghengis Khan
TA - follow Dibble's excellent advice in this thread.
Write it down. Write it down. Write it down. Everything. And then time and date it.
Was there a signal? Was it light? Who else was around? Was there a rustling on the Grassy Knoll? Everything you recall noticing. You probably can't recall half of it now 24 hrs later. Your recall will fade in the next 24hrs.
You cannot at this stage understand the strength of (nearly) contemporaneous notes when produced in front of the magistrates in 6-12 months time in the cold light of day in a court room when everything has faded considerably.
Needless to say - if there were any witnesses, impress upon the need to immediately make written notes of the incident. Insist on it. Ask for a copy. Do not coach them.
Write it down. Write it down. Write it down. Everything. And then time and date it.
Was there a signal? Was it light? Who else was around? Was there a rustling on the Grassy Knoll? Everything you recall noticing. You probably can't recall half of it now 24 hrs later. Your recall will fade in the next 24hrs.
You cannot at this stage understand the strength of (nearly) contemporaneous notes when produced in front of the magistrates in 6-12 months time in the cold light of day in a court room when everything has faded considerably.
Needless to say - if there were any witnesses, impress upon the need to immediately make written notes of the incident. Insist on it. Ask for a copy. Do not coach them.
I think I've met her brother: similar incident at Old Street roundabout, van driver in the left lane took exception at my continuing in the correct direction ahead of him in the middle lane when he wanted to drive through the back of my car into the right hand laner without indicating. He went apoplectic behind me and then as he found is space and cut up the poor chap in the right hand lane to get alongside me, he spat across his car, out of his passenger window, onto my driver's window. Glad I wasn't in an open car like you!
Happened to my other half today, silly muppet in a white van, trying to force his way into traffic stopped at the lights while chatting away on his mobile.
I mentioned the mobile, to be greeted with a 'what's your fkin problem' so I casually mentioned fine and points as it was illegal. His response....to drive into the passenger front corner!
As we were all holding traffic up we told him to get off the junction to exchange details, both pulled off the road and all he was interested in swapping was punches and spit. Kept grabbing the other half and trying to hit him, when that failed he spat a good few times in my other half's face.
He then noticed that I was on the phone to the police reporting the incident and the fact that he was now trying to assault my partner. He came over to the window and hurled some abuse at me, but I didn;t take any notice I was busy giving the police his reg.
He then told us that we didnt know who we were messing with, as he is from London (?), got back in his van and drove off!
Very nice police man turned up to take all the details, and a tissue that my OH had used to wipe the spit off his face with, he's gonna run the reg through the pooter and check the CCTV tapes.
The silly muppet did it in one of the mose CCTV covered areas of town (so Mr London Nice Guy....if you are reading this, you are a total muppet and I hope that next time you pick someone that isn't a placid as my OH) You were watched by at least 6 cameras in the area, and the police have the spit!
Anyway, no damage to the car, small scrape on the bumper and thats about it, but thanks for making me late to pick my son up from school...much appreciated you w@nker!
I mentioned the mobile, to be greeted with a 'what's your fkin problem' so I casually mentioned fine and points as it was illegal. His response....to drive into the passenger front corner!
As we were all holding traffic up we told him to get off the junction to exchange details, both pulled off the road and all he was interested in swapping was punches and spit. Kept grabbing the other half and trying to hit him, when that failed he spat a good few times in my other half's face.
He then noticed that I was on the phone to the police reporting the incident and the fact that he was now trying to assault my partner. He came over to the window and hurled some abuse at me, but I didn;t take any notice I was busy giving the police his reg.
He then told us that we didnt know who we were messing with, as he is from London (?), got back in his van and drove off!
Very nice police man turned up to take all the details, and a tissue that my OH had used to wipe the spit off his face with, he's gonna run the reg through the pooter and check the CCTV tapes.
The silly muppet did it in one of the mose CCTV covered areas of town (so Mr London Nice Guy....if you are reading this, you are a total muppet and I hope that next time you pick someone that isn't a placid as my OH) You were watched by at least 6 cameras in the area, and the police have the spit!
Anyway, no damage to the car, small scrape on the bumper and thats about it, but thanks for making me late to pick my son up from school...much appreciated you w@nker!
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