Properly shaken up - really hurt (intentionally) whilst shopping

[Vinosaurus]

I was in Tesco about an hour ago - it was pretty busy but people all had masks on and were trying their best in the main to keep their distance ... as was I.

I don't really know what happened exactly, or why he did it, but I was picking up some fromage frais - nobody particularly close by - and I suddenly got shoved from behind. Turned my head to be presented with a alpha male type who lifted his arm (trying to explain that this was very much intentional and meant to hurt) and elbowed me in the back of the ribs with some real force. It was enough to wind me and cause me some real pain.

He walked off pretty briskly but squared up to me (from a distance) when I shouted after him "what the hell do do you think you're doing? You're an idiot!" (not my finest moment and probably very unwise but I was so shocked), although I think he thought better of it when he realised how many people were around. I was walking away by then, trying to calm myself down (had horrid heart palpitations - probably due to the adrenaline!) and just get away from the situation.

A couple of women (separately) caught up to me to see if I was ok/say they'd seen what happened/congratulate me on pulling him up on it - which was very kind, but I am still super tearful and shaken up. I'm a 42 yr old woman, FFS, really need to get a grip, have a glass of wine and forget about it.

Fucking hell! Please phone the store and speak to someone to report it.

You know you were in the dairy aisle at roughly what time so should be easy to track the cctv.

He sounds dangerous 🙁

Please report it, if he gets banned, at least he won't do it again, and you can go shopping feeling a bit safer.

I reported a guy at ASDA once because he was abusive towards me. He got marched out.

How could you think this was your fault???!!!

You were assaulted by a violent man.

Is this how you would want a dd to live her life? 'Oh, he assaulted me, must be my fault, because I'm an inherently bad person and maybe looked at him funny!'

Please report it to the police, OP, don't let this fucker get away with it. He could be doing it to other peope who might not be able to deal with it as well as you seem to be

Awful OP. At least you called him out on his disgusting behaviour.

I would report it but unless its plainly obvious from the CCTV that he assaulted you, I don't think much will come of it (sadly). Worth seeing what the CCTV shows though.

I would enjoy my glass of wine taking some pleasure in knowing I called him out on being a dick - he clearly didn't expect you to do that and probably felt like the twat he is.

It isn’t too late to report it OP, you were shocked and the police will understand that. The shop will have CCTV that could be helpful. They might not find him but then again they might.

Sorry this happened OP. Please go to the police. I understand why you didn't report it to the security guard straightaway, I've been in similar situations where I didn't take immediate action because of shock etc. But his next assault on a woman might be more serious plus he deserves to be punished for what he did to you.

He's a coward though. I bet when you started yelling at him he shit himself.

@Wyntersdiary

My cousin's friend was punched in the ribs by a random stranger once just walked past swung a punch and walked off. She passed away as ( and I'm not entirely sure on the story but I'll try) the rib broke off into one of her organs and she died that evening.

I'm sure that stranger didn't think a punch would kill her but it did just for his entertainment / anger issues.

Left her 4 year old with out a mum. I have no tolerance for assholes and would have gone ape on him including calling security because it is assault.

Oh god - I am so so sorry. And to all of you that have e patience's similar. It's sickening that men feel they have the right to dish out unprovoked violence to women.

You have been assaulted OP, please report this. They will check CCTV. Please do this. Please tell the police darling x

How awful for you. Please report him - it might not be just his arm he uses next time.

An ex boyfriend was the victim of an unprovoked act of violence from a complete stranger. He wasn’t badly hurt, but the shock of it and shame over not reacting ‘properly’ was one of the main factors in him developing agoraphobia.

You did absolutely nothing wrong - what he did was all about him, not you. You are completely within your rights to do nothing, but if you feel able to report him you’d be doing a wonderful thing.

I am sorry it happened to you and do understand you feeling too shaken to respond sensibly at the time.

But, you shouted out. A member of staff should have heard and reacted to that. If they didn't, that's really bad.

You shouldn't have to be the person to protect yourself, all other present and future customers, in that situation. That point needs making to the store manager.

Vinosaurus I am so sorry this happened to you. I hope they find the bastard.

Why on earth would someone do this? Mental Health issues? Special needs of some form? Anger issues? Some of the children I work with have impulse control difficulties and experience uncontrollable rage. I worry that they might grow up to be people like this who push women into the path of a bus / punch them in the ribs or assault women in supermarkets. I really hope this isn't the case if they are helped early on.

I've just got off the phone from both Tesco and the police - neither could have been nicer, took lots of details and they're checking the CCTV to see if they can get a good view of him and police circulate the image.

Police call handler told me to have another glass of wine and assured me that even if they can't investigate any further, it needed to be reported.

Feel bloody angry more than anything now. Does he go about doing this regularly? Is he married? How does he treat his wife?!

@Vinosaurus Most stores hold their cctv footage for anything from 28 to 35 days. They will definitely have it.

Contact the police first, (101,) and they can help you.

What a disgusting thing for this creature to do. I hope the police throw the book at him.

Hope you're OK.

Oooops, that will teach me to read the full thread.

Glad you're dealing with it @Vinosaurus

What an arsehole. Good that you've reported it and got a supportive response from both the police and the store. Hope you're feeling better soon, I don't blame you for being shaken up.

Well done for reporting. I’m so sorry this happened to you. You’ve taken steps to help protect the same from happening to someone else. Every bit of information helps stop these bastards.

Well done OP. We’re all here... Seriously, bloody well done. You’ve handled it brilliantly. I know it’s hard, but relax now. Enjoy your evening and know you’ve done the right thing. Xx

It is important that this was reported as this man may either be an idiot with anger issues or mentally ill and unstable enough to escalate his violence if he is not caught. Well done OP for reporting it.

And thank you for making me see sense and stop minimising it. I've reported him for myself, of course, but mainly because the thought of him continuing to believe that he has carte blanche to behave like this to anyone else in the future is making me rage.

Well done for reporting and enjoy your wine 🍷

Well done, OP!

Like you say, he'll continue to behave like this if he gets away with it. Even a notice up in the shop about the incident might be enough to frighten him off from doing it again.

I hope they find him. Bastard.

I also wonder why. I suppose it’s party some sort of personality disorder / low impulse control - but then they have enough control not to let loose on someone bigger and stronger.

Well done for reporting it, so sorry this happened to you..I can totally understand that shock would have meant you just wanted to get out of there at the time. What I don't understand is why the people that witnessed it didn't get security and tell someone what had happened, or gently ask if you wanted them to wait with you while you decided what to do next. I really hope I would have done that if I'd have witnessed this but I guess we don't know what we'd do in that situation.