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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think that someone stopping a pervert shouldn’t have a criminal record?

37 replies

CrazyOldMe · 12/07/2025 15:22

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/dad-heart-gold-knocked-out-35544209.amp

“Dad with 'heart of gold' knocked out man who was exposing himself to families

Richard Gathercole, 39, has been convicted of assault after knocking out a man who was exposing himself on a street in front of families with a single punch“

AIBU to think that this brave man shouldn’t have a criminal record and two year suspended sentence? He was actively protecting children from a vile pervert FFS!

I mean, actual rapists get less than this man has!

Dad with 'heart of gold' knocked out man who was exposing himself to families

Richard Gathercole, 39, has been convicted of assault after knocking out a man who was exposing himself on a street in front of families with a single punch

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/dad-heart-gold-knocked-out-35544209.amp

OP posts:
Livpool · 12/07/2025 16:39

vivainsomnia · 12/07/2025 15:47

We have no idea how the guy was exposing himself. There's a difference between going for a wee behind a tree but still being visible by some people and pulling your trousers down and touching yourself in front in a children play area.

WTAF

Original poster
CrazyOldMe · 12/07/2025 16:30

vivainsomnia · 12/07/2025 15:47

We have no idea how the guy was exposing himself. There's a difference between going for a wee behind a tree but still being visible by some people and pulling your trousers down and touching yourself in front in a children play area.

There is NO acceptable way of exposing yourself, especially around children!

Honestly, and this is a parenting website!

OP posts:
vivainsomnia · 12/07/2025 15:47

We have no idea how the guy was exposing himself. There's a difference between going for a wee behind a tree but still being visible by some people and pulling your trousers down and touching yourself in front in a children play area.

YouWillFindMeInTheGarden · 12/07/2025 15:40

Op is calling him a ‘pervert’…. Like he had seen kids and exposed himself to them

the reporting was a bit off so looked elsewhere….. some reports of a drunken man…. Who knows.

DoYouReally · 12/07/2025 15:37

I agree with you.

I don't like voilence but in this instance I've no issue with him giving this man a thump.

Lurkingandlearning · 12/07/2025 15:36

We can’t punch perverts. It’s against the law and if people are allowed to break the law in certain circumstances then there isn’t really any law.

But, I think, in situations like that the risk for the person punching is too great just to teach that scum a lesson. Having hit him hard enough to knock him out he could have caused brain damage and been charged with a more serious offence. Worse, the pervert might have hit his head on the pavement and died. It happens. Then he would’ve been in a world of trouble. His life would be ruined for a moment of impulsiveness.

tigger1001 · 12/07/2025 15:36

He broke the law - that's why he has a criminal record.

YouWillFindMeInTheGarden · 12/07/2025 15:32

Weird reporting but then that’s a red top for you!

one punch deaths are a thing. Heart of gold or not, he is just a violent thug if he went straight in with his fists!

ExtraOnions · 12/07/2025 15:30

He punched someone else in the head, with such force, he has a fractured skull, he could easily have been stood there on a Manslaughter charge.

Vigilante behaviour never ends well

x2boys · 12/07/2025 15:29

As abhorrent as the behaviour was ,ge could have killed him people can't take the laww into their own hands..

TheCurious0range · 12/07/2025 15:26

Given the severity of the injury this is at the low end of the sentencing guidelines. One punch like that could've killed him. Also rapists don't get suspended sentences, the starting point for that offence is 4 years custody not suspended.

BlueyNeedsToFuckOff · 12/07/2025 15:26

Violence is never the answer (unless in genuine self-defence / defending others from physical harm) so I think the sentence is probably fair. He could have taken a non-physical approach. It’s the pathetic sentences for rapists that aren’t.

I think the pervert should have been charged as well, though, but I suppose there is no way of finding out.