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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be upset by this?

30 replies

AllDirections · 09/06/2012 22:01

I had to turn the car round in a layby the other day when I was lost looking for the local Tesco whilst on holiday.

As I pulled in I passed a car that wasn't parked well and I noticed the driver moving frantically in the front. My position at first blocked any view of the passenger seat but as I pulled alongside I realised there was a passenger in that seat and then it suddenly hit me that the man had been assaulting her. He drove off pretty quick so I didn't get a good look. The passenger was female and she could have been an older girl.

I turned round and tried to follow but there was a lot of traffic and I lost him. I couldn't get hold of my mobile but I thought I'd try and memorise the reg no and phone the police when I could stop but I lost him.

I'm still shocked and I feel really bad that I didn't manage to do anything to help.

OP posts:
TandB · 09/06/2012 22:03

Are you sure you didn't disturb a couple having sex? What makes you think he was assaulting her?

AgentZigzag · 09/06/2012 22:04

Are you sure he was assaulting her?

What made you think that?

Original poster
AllDirections · 09/06/2012 22:08

I'm absolutely sure he was assaulting her. When I could only see him his arms were shooting out towards the passenger side and he was swaying from side to side with the intensity of the assault. I just couldn't see anyone sitting there from my initial angle.

He drove off immediately.

And they were both sitting up and fully dressed.

OP posts:
Wheezo · 09/06/2012 22:14

Have you phoned 101 and given the reg no?

Original poster
AllDirections · 09/06/2012 22:16

I couldn't get the reg no because he drove off too quick and I lost him in the traffic. Otherwise I would definitely have called the police.

OP posts:
GhouliaYelps · 09/06/2012 22:17

Sorry but what kind of assault to do mean?

cantspel · 09/06/2012 22:19

maybe the reason you couldn't see her at first was because she was head down giving a BJ?

Original poster
AllDirections · 09/06/2012 22:23

He must have been punching her repeatedly. I didn't see his hand hit her because of my angle. I saw his hand moving back and forth repeatedly towards her with such aggression that his whole body was swaying.

And the look on his face, sooo angry

And the look on her face :(

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 09/06/2012 22:26

You saw the look on both their faces but couldn't get the reg?

They might have been play fighting over the last french fry or chewing gum.

I don't know how you can be so sure?

Original poster
AllDirections · 09/06/2012 22:30

As I drove into the layby the car was facing me so I noticed his movements as I approached the car. As I drove past I saw her and realised what was happening. He sped off and I had to turn the car round before following. I didn't get a look at the registration number at all, not even a glimpse.

OP posts:
mynewpassion · 09/06/2012 22:33

didn't you go back to see if the woman was alright?

WorraLiberty · 09/06/2012 22:33

Oh I see that makes more sense now.

WhosPickleisThatOnion · 09/06/2012 22:36

You need to call the police if you think you've seen an assault regardless of knowing the reg.

Original poster
AllDirections · 09/06/2012 22:36

mynewpassion The driver sped off as soon as I passed him. I tried to follow but lost him in the traffic.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 09/06/2012 22:39

You need to call the police if you think you've seen an assault regardless of knowing the reg

That's a very good point actually.

If the woman reported an assault taking place in the car at the time and location you've said, she would probably need a witness and the police local to that area will know if she's reported him or not.

RaPaPaPumPumBootyMum · 09/06/2012 22:40

Was the girl/woman still in the car when it sped off?

I don't want to make you feel worse or whip up hysteria but with the level of aggression you describe might it be possible she was being abducted or forced to go somewhere against her will?

I think I would call the police and report what you witnessed. Let them decide whether they will investigate further.

I wouldn't stay silent, just in case it is a case of assault or worse Sad

Original poster
AllDirections · 09/06/2012 22:40

But if I'd called the police I had no information to give them. I didn't even know which direction they'd gone in because I lost him in all the traffic at a roundabout. I was also concentrating on driving because I was in an unfamiliar place. I don't even know what make of car it was.

If I'd had anything for the police to go on I would have called them. I just keep thinking about the poor woman or girl.

OP posts:
Alameda · 09/06/2012 22:42

report it anyway and tell them what you do know, you can probably describe colour/shape of car, the occupants (a bit)

not really got anything to lose have you?

PissyDust · 09/06/2012 22:42

I don't think there is much you can do, do you know the make/model of the car?

I witnessed an assault in a carpark years ago, I even walked up to the window and told him to leave her the fuck alone (there were children in the back) he sped off and I didn't manage to get the reg (looking back I should have got it first but I didn't) police took my limited details but nothing they could do really.

Original poster
AllDirections · 09/06/2012 22:43

OMG Worra, I hadn't thought of that. I'll call the police in the morning as I'll have to work out exactly where it happened.

OP posts:
mynewpassion · 09/06/2012 22:46

By morning, it might be too late.

WhosPickleisThatOnion · 09/06/2012 22:54

The girl could have reported it and you could be a witness. You should ring them right now, you can describe the car & location. Someone could have reported a girl missing in the area for example so you calling could potentially be really important.

Original poster
AllDirections · 09/06/2012 23:20

I'm off to work out where this layby was. Thanks for the advice everyone.

OP posts:
ashesgirl · 09/06/2012 23:23

You should still call the police. Even if you knew the colour of car or other minor details, it could help in an investigation.

squeakytoy · 09/06/2012 23:24

They could have just been having an almighty argument. But it would still be worth letting the police know, just in case.