Physically assaulted by neighbour last night, advice please
Discussion
Morning all.
Last night I had an incident involving our next door neighbour which thankfully due to my quick reactions prevented me spending the night / week in a hospital bed.
If you need more details I'm happy to expand on the 6 years of minor conflict, but last night it finally ended in me reporting them to the police for assault.
The details are that after confronting his wife with a very brief conversation, the husband, who had been drinking and smoking weed all afternoon, grabbed me by the throat, at which point I pushed his arm away and as he stumbled he picked up a wrought iron garden ornament, bar type thing, i.e. Heavy metal and proceeded to take a swing at my head. Luckily for me he's not of a slight build, so I managed to duck the item and left the garden asap, in a slight state of shock as to what had just happened.
Immediately called the police and a high incident response unit were called. 4 hours later, 2 extremely nice young officers arrived, apologised for the late call, it was now about midnight. An hour later after explaining the history between us and giving a statement, they asked me what I wanted to do.
They explained I had 3 options:
1) Press charges and have him arrested for assault.
2) Go around and caution him.
3) Mediation with Police chairing the meeting.
I gave it some thought and went with option one.
They explained that as there were no witnesses / cctv it will be their word against mine and the case will probably go no further.
But he will be taken to the local police cell for a few hours and questioned.
There is no guarantee, but by my logic, he might think twice next time. They also said to take out an injunction with power of arrest.
It was 1.30am when they went around to arrest him. Unfortunately, they were “asleep” and didn’t answer the door.
Had a text from the officers to say they will try again today at 9pm when they are both back on duty.
I’m hoping that anyone with experience can give me any advice on what I should do now as I’ve never been in this situation before
And would really like to see some action taken against this thug.
Many thanks for taking the time to read my post.
Regards, Mark
Last night I had an incident involving our next door neighbour which thankfully due to my quick reactions prevented me spending the night / week in a hospital bed.
If you need more details I'm happy to expand on the 6 years of minor conflict, but last night it finally ended in me reporting them to the police for assault.
The details are that after confronting his wife with a very brief conversation, the husband, who had been drinking and smoking weed all afternoon, grabbed me by the throat, at which point I pushed his arm away and as he stumbled he picked up a wrought iron garden ornament, bar type thing, i.e. Heavy metal and proceeded to take a swing at my head. Luckily for me he's not of a slight build, so I managed to duck the item and left the garden asap, in a slight state of shock as to what had just happened.
Immediately called the police and a high incident response unit were called. 4 hours later, 2 extremely nice young officers arrived, apologised for the late call, it was now about midnight. An hour later after explaining the history between us and giving a statement, they asked me what I wanted to do.
They explained I had 3 options:
1) Press charges and have him arrested for assault.
2) Go around and caution him.
3) Mediation with Police chairing the meeting.
I gave it some thought and went with option one.
They explained that as there were no witnesses / cctv it will be their word against mine and the case will probably go no further.
But he will be taken to the local police cell for a few hours and questioned.
There is no guarantee, but by my logic, he might think twice next time. They also said to take out an injunction with power of arrest.
It was 1.30am when they went around to arrest him. Unfortunately, they were “asleep” and didn’t answer the door.
Had a text from the officers to say they will try again today at 9pm when they are both back on duty.
I’m hoping that anyone with experience can give me any advice on what I should do now as I’ve never been in this situation before
And would really like to see some action taken against this thug.
Many thanks for taking the time to read my post.
Regards, Mark
thanks all, I know what you are saying. The only surprise I had was when i asked the police if they had called to report me, but they hadn't.
I'm under no illusion what they are going to say to the police.
They will probably say they were out at the time. He has no previous, I asked.
When I say neighbours, they are at the bottom of our garden and we can't see each other as we have 20ft trees.
They are tenants too. He won't confront me at all, the only reason he went for me was because i was on his (rented) turf.
I won't be moving and am not at all stressed about the situation.
I'm under no illusion what they are going to say to the police.
They will probably say they were out at the time. He has no previous, I asked.
When I say neighbours, they are at the bottom of our garden and we can't see each other as we have 20ft trees.
They are tenants too. He won't confront me at all, the only reason he went for me was because i was on his (rented) turf.
I won't be moving and am not at all stressed about the situation.
Landlord is aware of the cannabis, he turns a blind eye as the benefits cheat, sorry chronic back pain sufferer, is at home all day to paint his property etc. PT.... thanks for the reply, appreciated. although I would be surprised if he had ever done a days thinking in his life.
I've been treading carefully for 6 years, the gloves are now well and truly off.
I've been treading carefully for 6 years, the gloves are now well and truly off.
Edited by markbigears on Monday 22 May 17:05
Chatham? How very dare you!
As the kind officers said to me " I thought we were at the wrong address, we've never been here before".
Joking aside, we all know probably nothing will come of this, lack of evidence, cost, etc, they more or less told me this, but if anyone has any actual
legal way I can make him think twice, I don't mind throwing money at this, i'd appreciate it. He's not the smartest tool in the box, and until yesterday never had the courage to have a go, but on the lash all day, he flipped.
As the kind officers said to me " I thought we were at the wrong address, we've never been here before".
Joking aside, we all know probably nothing will come of this, lack of evidence, cost, etc, they more or less told me this, but if anyone has any actual
legal way I can make him think twice, I don't mind throwing money at this, i'd appreciate it. He's not the smartest tool in the box, and until yesterday never had the courage to have a go, but on the lash all day, he flipped.
Edited by markbigears on Monday 22 May 19:25
Thank you all for the comments. when I say neighbour, they are down the end of our garden, they have a eight foot fence behind our 20ft conifers so unless I actually go around there, we don't see each other. I haven't seen him in months. There has been lots of history between us, tenant and farmer ever since we moved in, so nothing has changed, apart from his sudden brief bout of courage, probably drug / booze fuelled. Farmer is a toff, tenants are what you call chavs, totally in the wrong area ... they should be on a council estate, but they deluded individuals at best. It's a very strange situation, in as, they can do no wrong in the eyes of the farmer. A few years ago, after yet more hassle, my wife actually got farmers wife, tenant wife around ours for mediation and get things sorted. A few weeks later the tenants were at it again, they just can't help themselves. Hence why I opted for not going for option 3 this time around. We have a feeling, the farmer wants this property back and has egged on the Tenant to stir things up to get us to move. That is not going to happen.
I'm quite relax about the situation, I've a thick skin, I laugh at their pathetic lives, I can't take them seriously, blimey, he can't even fight he's so fat.
I've been playing the long game, it's taken 6 years, but I knew one day he would flip. I just wished I'd taken a breath and got the wife to record him on her phone. But then again, he will slip up again, they just can't help themselves. The thing is I know my leaf blower really pisses her off, she nags at the oaf, he would never confront me, but because this time I went around he felt comfortable to have a go. I've just bought a fire pit, being delivered this week, and just upgraded my mower to a lawnflite pro, which is twice as loud, as my current model.
So again, just a matter of time before my blower/mower/fire pit boils their piss, it's inevitable.
Like I say, im fine with the situation, the wife not so much, she worries and just wants a quiet life. But Christ, if she loses it, god help them.
So UPDATE on situation, they have been laying low for a few days, hopefully pissing their pants waiting for the police to call, but then what do I know, they are hopefully thinking the situation has gone away and the police have told me they can't do anything. I called 101, 2 reasons why, one... has he been arrested yet? Nope, officer that's on the case is off duty today, but controller emailed him tonight to call me tomorrow and secondly, the fat tenants gobby wife actually turned up at my wife's work place (she works on a high end shop in a shopping complex), wife has never seen her in there before and she couldn't afford anything in there anyway. So I passed this info on as probable harassment. Could be just coincidence, but I just want to add this to the case against them. So just waiting still for him to be arrested, hoping it will spoil his beer. Will update when I have more news. Thanks again all.
I'm quite relax about the situation, I've a thick skin, I laugh at their pathetic lives, I can't take them seriously, blimey, he can't even fight he's so fat.
I've been playing the long game, it's taken 6 years, but I knew one day he would flip. I just wished I'd taken a breath and got the wife to record him on her phone. But then again, he will slip up again, they just can't help themselves. The thing is I know my leaf blower really pisses her off, she nags at the oaf, he would never confront me, but because this time I went around he felt comfortable to have a go. I've just bought a fire pit, being delivered this week, and just upgraded my mower to a lawnflite pro, which is twice as loud, as my current model.
So again, just a matter of time before my blower/mower/fire pit boils their piss, it's inevitable.
Like I say, im fine with the situation, the wife not so much, she worries and just wants a quiet life. But Christ, if she loses it, god help them.
So UPDATE on situation, they have been laying low for a few days, hopefully pissing their pants waiting for the police to call, but then what do I know, they are hopefully thinking the situation has gone away and the police have told me they can't do anything. I called 101, 2 reasons why, one... has he been arrested yet? Nope, officer that's on the case is off duty today, but controller emailed him tonight to call me tomorrow and secondly, the fat tenants gobby wife actually turned up at my wife's work place (she works on a high end shop in a shopping complex), wife has never seen her in there before and she couldn't afford anything in there anyway. So I passed this info on as probable harassment. Could be just coincidence, but I just want to add this to the case against them. So just waiting still for him to be arrested, hoping it will spoil his beer. Will update when I have more news. Thanks again all.
Edited by markbigears on Tuesday 23 May 22:50
TheBear, well, the officers told me he will definitely be arrested, just when they get around to it. They said we have his car number plate and even if he tries to avoid them at the house, they will pull him in the car. They did go around that night, but it was 1.30am and the tenants didn't answer the door. Today the officer was off duty. Why would the passing of time make a difference now? I will not be happy about just a chat, like I said they gave me 3 very clear options, but you obviously know how it works, if you have anything to add, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Edited by markbigears on Tuesday 23 May 22:54
TheBear, many thanks for the reply, I can see what you are saying.
I'm still hoping anything police related will spook them as he has no previous
And I'm sure as a cannabis user, I'm quite sure that the last thing he wants is the authorities at the residence.
Just to put other pistonheaders in the frame, this is a working farm, tractors, combine harvesters, farmer had a chain saw going at 8am, bonfires from the farmer that rival any guy fawks display, fork lifts, etc. It's not just me being a antisocial git, this how it is, I like the set up and except it, like other neighbours around the village. Oh and plenty have fire pits, I actually bought one after going around to my neighbours at the back of us who have one. The smoke doesn't bother me, I like it, reminds me of being a kid with my father, like wise the sound of mowers.
We have a large garden with pine trees and you need petrol equipment to work it.
If I had known he was going to try to deck me, I honestly wouldn't have gone around, on one previous occasion a few years ago, when I went around because they had thrown bricks in my garden, I was met with a barrage of abuse, which is fine, I was expecting that, unlike this occasion when he assaulted me. I was so suprised by his actions I didn't Try to fight back or even say a word , I just got out. In fact I've never been in a fight, ever.
As others have said, why didn't I just throw the mouse back? What would that have achieved? I know what, mice fence tennis and the outcome would have been the same, at some point I'd have had to confront them about their pathetic actions. I'm really sorry but I'm not the sort to close my eyes to this behaviour, yes it's hassle, but I can sleep at night knowing I'm not being pushed over by nasty people.
I'm still hoping anything police related will spook them as he has no previous
And I'm sure as a cannabis user, I'm quite sure that the last thing he wants is the authorities at the residence.
Just to put other pistonheaders in the frame, this is a working farm, tractors, combine harvesters, farmer had a chain saw going at 8am, bonfires from the farmer that rival any guy fawks display, fork lifts, etc. It's not just me being a antisocial git, this how it is, I like the set up and except it, like other neighbours around the village. Oh and plenty have fire pits, I actually bought one after going around to my neighbours at the back of us who have one. The smoke doesn't bother me, I like it, reminds me of being a kid with my father, like wise the sound of mowers.
We have a large garden with pine trees and you need petrol equipment to work it.
If I had known he was going to try to deck me, I honestly wouldn't have gone around, on one previous occasion a few years ago, when I went around because they had thrown bricks in my garden, I was met with a barrage of abuse, which is fine, I was expecting that, unlike this occasion when he assaulted me. I was so suprised by his actions I didn't Try to fight back or even say a word , I just got out. In fact I've never been in a fight, ever.
As others have said, why didn't I just throw the mouse back? What would that have achieved? I know what, mice fence tennis and the outcome would have been the same, at some point I'd have had to confront them about their pathetic actions. I'm really sorry but I'm not the sort to close my eyes to this behaviour, yes it's hassle, but I can sleep at night knowing I'm not being pushed over by nasty people.
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