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Original poster

Was attacked by a stranger a few hours ago, Waiting for the police

208 replies

verylongshot · 27/12/2023 19:03

I was with my disabled mum and my nan earlier in a supermarket, She had parked in a disabled parking space. We did a small shop then returned to the car and put two bags into the boot, A man in a waiting car shouted to ask if I was 'going to fucking be all night' I got in the car and Mum held her blue badge up to show him then reversed and went to drive away when we heard what sounded like rocks being thrown at the car, Still not sure what it was but he threw something from his car which hit my mums.

Mum stopped the car to check what happened and as soon as she stopped the guy got out of his car opened the back passenger door of my mums car and snatched my phone out of my hands and threw it across the carpark, It smashed into bits. He then grabbed my elbow and dragged me out of the car onto my knees. He then called my mum (trigger warning for the words he used) a spastic cunt and walked back to his car as I got back into my mums and she tried to drive away.

To get out we genuinely had to drive by him and the guy ran back up to the car asking why we were going back around near his family, he then looked at me and asked if I wanted some more.

Was going to report it to the supermarket security but felt so intimidated that we just left. I did call them to let them know what had happened and they said if the police contact them they can send the cctv. Once we got to my nans house my nan, who had been sat in the front with my mum told me she got my mums phone and managed to record the entire thing from him running up to the car and opening the door to us trying to leave the carpark and him coming back etc.

I know this isnt the thing to be focusing on but I saved up for two years for that phone and only had it two weeks, Didn't even manage to get to my next payday on the 3rd to get it insured, I wasn't even filming him was just holding my phone.

What is likely to happen from here once the police have been?

OP posts:
DC1888 · 27/12/2023 23:48

Knuckledragging meathead, with wife in tow. Poor kids growing up with them.

Sorry you had to go through that OP. The main thing is you are all safe. Well done to your nana, hopefully the cretin gets done for this.

Gilead · 27/12/2023 23:48

I’m so sorry this has happened to you and your family. Your Nan is a superstar.
People can be arseholes about blue badge spaces, I have a badge and have been shouted at for all sorts of odd things.
I hope a nights rest will help you feel better.💐

TooOldForThisNonsense · 27/12/2023 23:56

Wow what a big brave man he is to do that to 3 women, including elderly and disabled. What scum. I hope the police get him. I also feel sorry for his wife and children. Imagine what he’s like behind closed doors

alpenguin · 27/12/2023 23:59

I’m so sorry you’ve experienced this and I’m so glad your gran got evidence on film. Brilliantly quick thinking. It is such a scary experience for you, please allow yourself appropriate time to process what happened.

It has happened to me a long time ago and since then I’ve ensured any car I’ve had since, autolocks as soon as the car moves. I hope you find techniques to cope
with whats happened and develop strategies to ensure you feel safe. Don’t let this bastard get away with it and don’t let the police palm you off either. Make
sure he gets what he deserves.

alexdgr8 · 27/12/2023 23:59

i think it's bad that no man came to your aid or intervened with that brute.
at least he will be identifiable by the police.
all the best.

PlipPlopChoo · 28/12/2023 00:00

This is a silly idea and could legally get you in trouble so avoid

Why would it?

weirdoboelady · 28/12/2023 00:39

I've only read the first few posts and OP's posts, but just wanted to express female solidarity, send hugs, and remind you all to be very kind to yourselves (and each other) as you will doubtless all be in shock for a couple of days. I hope there are no other ill effects, that the BRILLIANT footage your nan got ensures that this prince among men is suitably punished, and that the punishment ensures that you get an even better phone and enough money to treat all three of you to a restorative something or other. Do keep us updated! x

Tryingmybestadhd · 28/12/2023 00:42

I would be tempted to ask police if you can try and find who he is and share it on social media . Once you find out please nahe sure yo call SS as children witnessed violence and procede to take them to court to get your costs covered including mobile phone . Please check your home insurance for legal cover or even the car insurance. I’m so so sorry this happened

WilmaWonka · 28/12/2023 01:27

Tryingmybestadhd · 28/12/2023 00:42

I would be tempted to ask police if you can try and find who he is and share it on social media . Once you find out please nahe sure yo call SS as children witnessed violence and procede to take them to court to get your costs covered including mobile phone . Please check your home insurance for legal cover or even the car insurance. I’m so so sorry this happened

I highly doubt the police will give any information to the OP as to address so no way of reporting to SS herself. They could live anywhere in the vicinity of the supermarket or may have stopped off on a road trip so could live miles away! The police should report but no guarantee.

Agree with PPs about seeing the police response (I would hope if you have car reg and clear face shot that you’d hear very soon that he’s been arrested) and if they don’t have much interest, definitely post on SM to get name and shame and also see if the DM will run it (might pay you for story and recoup some cash to buy a new phone). It’ll probably be more punishment to be publicly shamed than a slap on the wrist and a small fine anyway such is our justice system. Make a point that his partner joined in. Hopefully if their DC are in a nursery, staff or other parents may see it.

lemmein · 28/12/2023 01:36

Men like this need to be put down!

I'm sorry this happened to you and your family OP - fucking disgraceful behaviour.

Incongruance · 28/12/2023 01:58

My son was beaten up when he stepped in to protect a younger child being attacked. It happened just outside the school gates. The school were useless, didn' t even call an ambulance, but I took him to hospital, photographed his injuries and got a crime number from the police. He claimed criminal injuries compensation. It was easy to do and he got about £1k. I am so sorry this happened to you OP. Do apply for the compensation, get in touch with victim support. At least you will be able to replace your phone and insure it.

Lwrenagain · 28/12/2023 04:55

What an absolutely horrid ordeal!

Sending you such big hugs, all of you! 💐💐💐

MySugarBabyLove · 28/12/2023 06:28

I’m really sorry this happened to you. But I really wouldn’t share the video on social media.
It’s so easy to imagine that social media will lead to some sort of justice, but in truth it is only going to lead to more abuse on the part of some, some more “sorry this happened” from others, and the possibility of other knuckle-dragging thugs having an excuse to go out looking for a ruck.
Publishing this kind of thing on social media rarely ends well.

Justia · 28/12/2023 06:33

Kitanai · 27/12/2023 23:20

Out of curiosity, how?

I’ve seen all sorts of videos of people committing hate crimes online, being racists, attacking people, bullying.

Without fail there is some sort of follow up that they have had to publicly apologise, have lost their job/university place etc.

How can you legally get in trouble for posting a video of the way someone is behaving in public? And why hasn’t anyone else online gotten into trouble when they do this?

Show quote history

@Kitanai

https://www.internetlawcentre.co.uk/can-you-sue-someone-for-exposing-you-on-social-media#:~:text=breach%20of%20privacy-,Exposing%20someone%20on%20social%20media%20could%20lead%20to%20legal%20action,the%20public%20without%20their%20consent.

Breach of privacy.

Why hasn’t anyone else gotten into trouble?

  • not everyone is aware of the right to sue, nor has the funds to do so.
  • I would suspect that you aren’t aware of all legal cases across the U.K. or the ramifications that “name and shamers” may face after they have released video footage or photos of someone else online.

Even when it is in a public space, and even when what the person has done is very wrong, it is always best to follow through via the police and legal action than dump yourself in a pile of shit releasing stuff online in a knee jerk reaction.

Can you sue someone for exposing you on social media

Can you sue someone for exposing you on social media? In many cases yes, you can sue for exposing you on social media. But no always.

https://www.internetlawcentre.co.uk/can-you-sue-someone-for-exposing-you-on-social-media#:~:text=breach%20of%20privacy-,Exposing%20someone%20on%20social%20media%20could%20lead%20to%20legal%20action,the%20public%20without%20their%20consent.

Justia · 28/12/2023 06:42

PlipPlopChoo · 28/12/2023 00:00

This is a silly idea and could legally get you in trouble so avoid

Why would it?

Breach of privacy; the person could sue you for this or defamation of character, something along those lines.

It could also jeopardise successful prosecution as someone else said.

So it’s an utterly stupid idea.

Tilllly · 28/12/2023 06:45

@verylongshot how are you and your mum and gran today?

Gardeningtime · 28/12/2023 07:25

Justia · 28/12/2023 06:42

Breach of privacy; the person could sue you for this or defamation of character, something along those lines.

It could also jeopardise successful prosecution as someone else said.

So it’s an utterly stupid idea.

Show quote history

Well you can’t sue for defamation of character or libel if it’s true. It’s a video. Of what occurred, in a public place.

however I would not, simply as this man is a violent thug. And he could find out where they live and escalate it. I know fear of bullies is not generally a reason not to act, but self protection is key. The police need to handle this.

Kitanai · 28/12/2023 07:36

Justia · 28/12/2023 06:33

@Kitanai

https://www.internetlawcentre.co.uk/can-you-sue-someone-for-exposing-you-on-social-media#:~:text=breach%20of%20privacy-,Exposing%20someone%20on%20social%20media%20could%20lead%20to%20legal%20action,the%20public%20without%20their%20consent.

Breach of privacy.

Why hasn’t anyone else gotten into trouble?

  • not everyone is aware of the right to sue, nor has the funds to do so.
  • I would suspect that you aren’t aware of all legal cases across the U.K. or the ramifications that “name and shamers” may face after they have released video footage or photos of someone else online.

Even when it is in a public space, and even when what the person has done is very wrong, it is always best to follow through via the police and legal action than dump yourself in a pile of shit releasing stuff online in a knee jerk reaction.

Show quote history

I’m seeing a lot of ‘could’ and ‘maybe’, have there been any actual cases in the UK of someone being successfully sued after releasing a video taken in a public place of someone committing a crime?

OP didn’t video part of a conversation out of context, that could be subjective or misconstrued the truth. It was someone screaming slurs and physically abusing a member of the public.

Justia · 28/12/2023 08:33

@Kitanai

I do not have access to all legal cases in the U.K., nor do you.

The fact that there is substantial advice regarding the issue on legal websites suggests to me that it is an issue (as any logically thinking person would realise).

To publicise this on social media is to be an idiot.

To seek arrest of the person, prosecution and criminal injury compensation whilst maintaining one’s safety is sensible.

OP I hope you are ok and get support going forward.

SnowyMcSnowball · 28/12/2023 08:52

This is awful, but I can't help feeling there's a little more to this story than we are being told.

Myotherusernamesafunnyone · 28/12/2023 09:39

Any update OP? Hope you are all doing ok.

dressedforcomfort · 28/12/2023 10:12

His mother must be so proud.....

Glad you are not hurt, Op. Definitely follow up with the police. He deserves what's coming...

whynotwhatknot · 28/12/2023 10:28

did the police turn up op?

id hold off putting it on sm until you see the police and then see what theyre going to do

SinnerBoy · 28/12/2023 12:36

I'm so sorry for you, your ma and your Gran, OP. The absolute bloody brass neck of the bastard to even shout at you all, never mind put his hands on you and damage your property.

You're obviously all very shaken and upset, I hope you'll be OK soonest.

I think there's been some good advice here and I'd agree that you shouldn't put the video online. If the Police turn out to be useless, it is the sort of incident that the Daily Mail loves and they don't fear naming and shaming; they ask if people know the scumbags and offer money to witnesses.

Even if Gran didn't get his registration number, the supermarket will have it somewhere, the big ones do have CCTV covering the main areas of their car parks. That means that the Police will be able to trace him and they do like to catch scummers in the act, or get footage of them.

Good luck and all the best.

uncomfortablydumb53 · 28/12/2023 14:35

Just had a thought The police will contact victim support where you can give a victim impact statement which would help you claim compensation( at least it would pay for a new phone)