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AIBU to be proud of my DS for protecting a group of girls.

83 replies

H0210zero · 27/08/2025 20:35

My DS is 12 however he's well built bigger then some grown men. But has long hair so sometimes from behind looks like a girl. Back in June as he was waiting for a bus from school with a small group of female friends. One of his friends began to get hassled by a drunk man looked as though he was also on some sort of drugs. Who was getting very provocative with her. Scaring her. She is 13 so you can imagine the fear. I don't think at this point he had realised my son was a male. This girl and a few others had asked the man to leave them alone. He tried at one point to snatch a phone and my DS just had enough he does boxing as a hobby and warned this man to leave the girls alone the man mocked him calling him a pansy due to his hair. Then tried to grab an 11 year old girls boobs making her cry. Sneering at them. My son took a swing and knocked the man out cold. Some adults did appear shortly after and kept an eye on the man who was passed out and called Police and ambulance. The idiot was fine just a bruised ego and a bust lip. Police arrested him for theft (he'd attacked someone else further along the street and took their phone) possession if class A drugs and also indecent assault on a minor. We were told he was already on the sex offenders list and not meant to be near a school. The two police officers shook my son's hand for stopping him going further then made a point of making it clear to the guy when he came round that the 12 year old who he called a pansy was the one who laid him out cold.

The AIBU is because just this week I bumped into one of the other kids parents. (A girl who wasn't touched and had managed to back away from the man). Other parents have sent him chocolates and thanked him for protecting the girls. This mother however berated me for allowing my son to learn to fight, because in her view he could have made the situation worse if the man and retaliated and hurt him or the other kids and he could have had a weapon. She seemed really put out when I said I was proud of him as if she expected me to tell him off. She seemed to think the kids should have tried to stay calm and ignore the man until the bus arrived and they could be safe. She had no consideration for the few girls that had already been grabbed and groped or nearly had their phone stolen or the fact the man was already a sex offender. She expects them to "hold on" and put up with it till an adult arrives. AIBU to be proud of my boy. He stood up for girls who couldn't despite the risks.

OP posts:
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PansyPotter84 · 29/08/2025 21:09

hoarahloux · 29/08/2025 01:14

I would report the police who didn't attend appropriately to an unconscious man. A single punch leading to a person being "knocked out" can be fatal and if not always requires medical attention. Unconsciousness isn't a joke. Your son is lucky he isn't in a cell. One-punch deaths have resulted in prison sentences.

All it takes is for the punchee to hit their head too hard when punched into unconsciousness. If I believed for a second your 12 year old punched a man into unconsciousness, which I don't, and that the police rocked up and had a good old laugh about the sex offender over his unconscious body, which I also don't -there'd be an thorough investigation and your child would be spoken to, not hailed as a hero.

Your son is a thug or he's making up fairy tales to tell mummy.

You’re entitled to your opinion.

Most of us happen to disagree.

The boy deserves a medal in my opinion.

Oakmilkwanker · 29/08/2025 08:00

BatchCookBabe · 29/08/2025 07:46

This.

Of course, ANY man or boy who steps in and calls out another man or boy for harrassing and attacking women and girls deserves credit for it. But it's a bit embarrassing that you are proud of your son for punching this man @H0210zero You seem to be celebrating your son's act of physical violence. And then posting on here expecting others to.

As pps have said, he could have turned very violent, or had a knife, or had 6 mates around the corner etc. Or even worse, it could have been one of those one punch kills.

From a quick Google search

Definition of One Punch Kill

A "one punch kill" or "one punch death" refers to a situation where a single punch causes a fatality, leading to charges of manslaughter or murder for the person who threw the punch. These incidents often occur during alcohol-fuelled arguments and highlight the devastating and potentially fatal consequences of even a seemingly minor physical altercation.

Key aspects of a one-punch killer case:

A single act, a single blow:
The defining characteristic is that a person's death results from one punch.


Fatal injury:
This single punch causes a brain injury, such as a hemorrhage, or another severe injury leading to death.


Charges of manslaughter or murder:
The perpetrator can face charges of manslaughter, as a single punch can be an "unlawful act" with a "significant risk" of serious harm. In some cases, if there was an intent to kill or cause serious harm, the charge could be murder, though the focus in "one punch" cases is often on the unintended, unexpected fatality.


Devastating consequences:
Beyond the legal ramifications, one-punch deaths leave families devastated and perpetrators with lifelong regret.


Campaigns for awareness:
The "One Punch Can Kill" campaign, run by various police forces and charities, aims to educate the public about the dangers of violence, particularly after drinking, and the risk of causing serious harm with a single blow.

One of my dearest friends was in hospital for months after stopping a man attacking his girlfriend, the guy punched him and his head hit the pavement... I'll never forget the time I spent with his son while his dad was in hospital.

Oakmilkwanker · 29/08/2025 07:57

I completely understand the women's concerns, she's right the situation could changed. The first rule of self defense is to put as much distance between you and the person attacking, I understand in some situations that's not possible. My children have been taught self defense for the last few years, my 11 year old daughter can get a 15 stone man on the ground, this isn't so she can carry in attacking him, it so she's got time to run.
Fair play to your son, he was protecting people who at the time were unable to protect themselves, but everyone is lucky it ended the way it did.

BatchCookBabe · 29/08/2025 07:46

GreenWheat · 27/08/2025 20:56

Hmmm... I mean it's laudable that your DS wanted to step up and protect the girls, but he really needs to be careful about taking the first punch in a fight. The man could have had a weapon or a group of mates round the corner. And if he's a big lad already he could have done more damage than he meant to.

This.

Of course, ANY man or boy who steps in and calls out another man or boy for harrassing and attacking women and girls deserves credit for it. But it's a bit embarrassing that you are proud of your son for punching this man @H0210zero You seem to be celebrating your son's act of physical violence. And then posting on here expecting others to.

As pps have said, he could have turned very violent, or had a knife, or had 6 mates around the corner etc. Or even worse, it could have been one of those one punch kills.

From a quick Google search

Definition of One Punch Kill

A "one punch kill" or "one punch death" refers to a situation where a single punch causes a fatality, leading to charges of manslaughter or murder for the person who threw the punch. These incidents often occur during alcohol-fuelled arguments and highlight the devastating and potentially fatal consequences of even a seemingly minor physical altercation.

Key aspects of a one-punch killer case:

A single act, a single blow:
The defining characteristic is that a person's death results from one punch.


Fatal injury:
This single punch causes a brain injury, such as a hemorrhage, or another severe injury leading to death.


Charges of manslaughter or murder:
The perpetrator can face charges of manslaughter, as a single punch can be an "unlawful act" with a "significant risk" of serious harm. In some cases, if there was an intent to kill or cause serious harm, the charge could be murder, though the focus in "one punch" cases is often on the unintended, unexpected fatality.


Devastating consequences:
Beyond the legal ramifications, one-punch deaths leave families devastated and perpetrators with lifelong regret.


Campaigns for awareness:
The "One Punch Can Kill" campaign, run by various police forces and charities, aims to educate the public about the dangers of violence, particularly after drinking, and the risk of causing serious harm with a single blow.

JMSA · 29/08/2025 03:03

I would be soooo proud. You have raised a good ‘un.

smallpinecone · 29/08/2025 01:26

…

AIBU to be proud of my DS for protecting a group of girls.
hoarahloux · 29/08/2025 01:14

I would report the police who didn't attend appropriately to an unconscious man. A single punch leading to a person being "knocked out" can be fatal and if not always requires medical attention. Unconsciousness isn't a joke. Your son is lucky he isn't in a cell. One-punch deaths have resulted in prison sentences.

All it takes is for the punchee to hit their head too hard when punched into unconsciousness. If I believed for a second your 12 year old punched a man into unconsciousness, which I don't, and that the police rocked up and had a good old laugh about the sex offender over his unconscious body, which I also don't -there'd be an thorough investigation and your child would be spoken to, not hailed as a hero.

Your son is a thug or he's making up fairy tales to tell mummy.

H0210zero · 29/08/2025 01:08

CurlewKate · 28/08/2025 17:58

And the police can tell it was reasonable force at a glance and stood round shaking the OP’s son’s hand ……yeah, right.

They didn't "stand around" as you put it shaking his hand. They brought him home after the incident as they did all the kids involved. After letting me know what had happened and taking his official statement. The officer got a radio call to say they'd charged him due to his admittance and based on the fact the guy was already I quote "A drain on their resources" and their efforts at keeping him away from kids and young girls have so far resulted in 3 different courts letting him out on sex offenders register with conditions each time despite his lack of remorse. Yes the officers did shake my son's hand as he left. This is when they told me that when the guy had come round he had assumed police had rougher him up and they'd took great pleasure in telling him the truth and yes they have confirmed as he only threw one punch he was perfectly justified to act in defence. I was worried my son may be subject to an investigation but the police confirmed they hadn't considered it as the man didn't make a complaint and the whole incident was caught on a doorbell camera anyway so it wouldn't have took long to rule out fault.

OP posts:
Petrolitis · 28/08/2025 22:13

GlitchStitch · 28/08/2025 21:53

Schrödinger's hero.

Possibly the best post I've ever seen on mumsnet.

GlitchStitch · 28/08/2025 21:53

Kevinspicey · 28/08/2025 08:55

The antithesis of being bigger than the average man but also being mistaken for a teenage girl 😆

Schrödinger's hero.

Mustbethat · 28/08/2025 20:31

H0210zero · 28/08/2025 17:55

Thank you, my thoughts exactly. Her daughter was simply not touched because my son put himself between this drunk and the girls.

So did the police question him at all? Do any sort of investigation?

are you telling us your son seriously assaulted a man, putting him in hospital and the police did nothing but take his word as to what happened and congratulated him?

CurlewKate · 28/08/2025 18:30

PansyPotter84 · 28/08/2025 18:07

Well I wasn’t there, but if that’s what all of the witnesses said happened then…

Does it really sound believable to you?

PansyPotter84 · 28/08/2025 18:07

CurlewKate · 28/08/2025 17:58

And the police can tell it was reasonable force at a glance and stood round shaking the OP’s son’s hand ……yeah, right.

Well I wasn’t there, but if that’s what all of the witnesses said happened then…

CurlewKate · 28/08/2025 17:58

PansyPotter84 · 28/08/2025 17:40

Frankly even if the guy ended up dead, if it was one punch that did it, it would still be reasonable force in defence of another if a girl is being molested.

Its the action that has to be reasonable, and one punch is reasonable where
MAN is sexually assaulting a GIRL.

And the police can tell it was reasonable force at a glance and stood round shaking the OP’s son’s hand ……yeah, right.

H0210zero · 28/08/2025 17:55

Rosesanddaffs · 27/08/2025 20:41

She should be grateful he was there. I’d be super proud of him and well done to you for raising a lovely boy xx

Thank you, my thoughts exactly. Her daughter was simply not touched because my son put himself between this drunk and the girls.

OP posts:
Mustbethat · 28/08/2025 17:47

PansyPotter84 · 28/08/2025 17:40

Frankly even if the guy ended up dead, if it was one punch that did it, it would still be reasonable force in defence of another if a girl is being molested.

Its the action that has to be reasonable, and one punch is reasonable where
MAN is sexually assaulting a GIRL.

Yes, but it would still need to go through due process.

if you punch someone and kill or injure them, the police don’t just shake your hand and you get to go home. It’s not a case of “oh you hit him because he was groping girls, well done mate”- they still have to establish that is actually what happened.

there’s statements, witnesses, likely you’ll be arrested so you can have legal counsel, and there will be an investigation to make sure what you say happened is actually what happened.

o/p seems to have missed all that out of her post. And I am willing to bet she’s not coming back…

PansyPotter84 · 28/08/2025 17:40

Frankly even if the guy ended up dead, if it was one punch that did it, it would still be reasonable force in defence of another if a girl is being molested.

Its the action that has to be reasonable, and one punch is reasonable where
MAN is sexually assaulting a GIRL.

BallerinaRadio · 28/08/2025 16:24

Kreepture · 28/08/2025 16:16

i did report the thread, and it was Clara who sent the 'we're taking a look' reply..

Clearly they think its 100% true, and not absolute bullshit...

All the deleted posts by MNHQ would suggest so. I couldn't possibly comment I don't want another ban 😂😂

Kreepture · 28/08/2025 16:16

RatherTardy · 28/08/2025 14:04

Anyone else wondering whether mnhq/Clara read the op of this thread?

i did report the thread, and it was Clara who sent the 'we're taking a look' reply..

Clearly they think its 100% true, and not absolute bullshit...

RatherTardy · 28/08/2025 14:04

Anyone else wondering whether mnhq/Clara read the op of this thread?

ObtuseMoose · 28/08/2025 12:49

.

Bullshit You Lie GIF by Travis
PinsAndfg · 28/08/2025 12:36

Mustbethat · 28/08/2025 10:52

I agree.

however that is for an investigation/CPS/court to decide.

The chances of police shaking someone’s hand and say well done for laying someone out cold with no investigation as to the facts are slim to none.

they arrest first, establish what has actually happened, and then decide whether the assault is self defence or otherwise defensible.

o/p’s son assaulted someone. The police can’t unilaterally decide he’s assaulted the “right” kind of person.

especially if they guy was out cold. Until he’s been assessed at hospital they would have no idea if there are brain bleeds or skull fractures- so chances are it would be treated as a “potential fatal” until the extent of injuries assessed.

so the son would be taken to the station to at least get a statement, if not arrested until the facts established.

so yeah. That.

So this is a "wind up" as they say?

Cherrysoup · 28/08/2025 11:12

EchoedSilence · 27/08/2025 21:22

Especially if it happened in Emmerdale.

You jest, but a bloke knocked out a stranger in a drunken fight near me, one punch (the video is called something like one punch murderer, we had to show it to kids at school) and the stranger fell back onto a bollard, cracked his head, died. It’s not the only time I’ve heard of this.

Possibly the OP has over exaggerated, I can’t imagine the police would say anything about the offender being a sex offender to a 12 year old. I’d be very surprised, given data protection etc.

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 28/08/2025 11:10

The police told your son the bloke was a sex offender?

Brady Bunch K GIF
DiscoBob · 28/08/2025 10:59

He 'knocked him out cold?' so the man went unconscious when he hit his head on the floor?!

Your son is lucky he didn't get done for manslaughter. I know it is brave and the right thing to do but knocking people unconscious is never a good idea.

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