To be absolutely fucking fuming with my neighbour?

[SignYourNameInBrownAndFlame]

Since the weekend there has been a woman sleeping rough in the private parking area behind our house. Part of it is made up of some open-sided but covered spaces, like a big carport, and she has tucked herself up into the corner of the covered bit.

Now rightly or wrongly, since we noticed she'd started sleeping there, my DH and I have been buying her the odd meal if she's there when we go/from our garage. She spends most of her time asleep and we just leave eg a sandwich, a piece of fruit and a drink in a bag next to her for her to find when she wakes up. She doesnt seem to have any warm clothing and the nights are getting a bit nippy now so last night I covered her over with a coat I was about to take to the charity shop. My DH caught her awake yesterday and had a chat with her, and tried to persuade her to go to a hostel - again, rightly or wrongly we both feel she's more vulnerable as a woman sleeping on the street.

I've just come back from walking the dog and bumped into my next door neighbour who boasted that he's been round there with his hosepipe at full stretch and blasted her with the power jet to "get her to move on". I told him I thought that was a horrible thing to do, she's a human being and there but for the grace of God go any of us. I've been round to see if I can find her to make sure she's okay but unsurprisingly she's gone.

I am shaking with rage. How can anyone think this is an acceptable way to treat a vulnerable person - any person?

I don't actually think I'm BU, I just needed to vent.

That poor woman Who can be so cruel?!

I'd still offer to water his plants, over water them until they die and when asked I would say in a really boastful fashion "I blasted them with the power jet"

Awful horrible man. I've almost be there, only having family help us. Right your plan of action

1 report to police 101 (think you are) as it's assault
2 contact landlady and inform her what happened. If she's a reasonable and normal human being she be as shocked as everyone here and understand he might make up report. For warned and all that
3 explain to work why you are late. Be honest.

4 thank you for being such a lovely person who didn't just turn a blind eye

I'm glad you've contacted the police; you've done the right thing. I know a lot of people don't believe in karma but I believe that people who do good deeds will eventually get their rewards.

Your neighbour is a cunt of the highest order and I don't use that word lightly.

I feel so sad for that poor poor woman :( Thank goodness there are still people like you in the world.

Ocado - but it's not his private property is it?

OP - definitely call 101. Not to necessarily report him, but to say you are very concerned for the welfare of this woman... you could also tell them about the incident. You should also speak to the police NW representative if possible.

Unfortunately, hostels aren't always the answer for some (particularly if you are trying to keep away from drugs and alcohol and the people that use them).

I'm so angry about this.

God almighty, how on earth can someone do that to another human being?

If I'd have seen him do that in afraid I wouldn't be responsible for my actions

How unspeakably cruel. Aside from not being able to get dry, she must have been so shocked - especially if he did it with no warning while she was asleep. If he blasted her with the hose on power setting that must have hurt.

I agree with speaking to your landlord about him so she is aware. So glad you have phoned the police too.

It makes me think of the attitudes behind those 'homeless spikes'.

Ring the landlady first and tell her what he's done. And tell her you're thinking of calling the police. That women is really vulnerable. She won't be able to get dry and actually she could become really ill or even die. The police could maybe look our for her or contact the hostels to try and do something. You can't let him get away with this. He has assaulted her. No excuses.

Just realised you have called them. Good. Well done. Your neighbor is a selfish arse.

What an absolutely nasty shit!

Yeah call the landlady first, tell he has told you he assaulted someone then boasted about it like it was a good thing and are going to call the police and you're worried about it causing problems.

Evil bastard!

Pop a parcel of poo through his letterbox.

You did a really nice thing for that poor woman xx

That was vile. YANBU. Please keep us updated. I hope the police take it seriously. I'd be minded to tell this story on my Facebook, too, very factually, "This is what he said he did". He doesn't deserve to keep his 'good' reputation.

Hosing her down is a pretty unpleasant thing to do. Equally though I think buying her food is a bit enabling. If she spends most of her time asleep chances are she's a drug addict and not so much asleep as out of her tree on whatever. TBH I wouldn't want to be enabling drug addicts sleeping rough behind my house.

That said, I'd call the police, not turn the hosepipe on her.

What a vile person. That is assault, and whilst the police will take it seriously, unfortunately unless the lady gets in touch and makes a complaint then no action can be taken in these circumstances. She probably won't contact police as chances are she's had previous police contact and might not think we'd help. (We would.) Poor woman.
Well done for helping her out OP.

That's awful. Absolutely horrendous. I thought you were going to say got the police to move her on (which still wouldn't have been nice, but at least humane). But spraying her with a hosepipe is just disgusting, utterly reprehensible.

He is a complete and utter shit. She is a vulnerable human being not vermin. Will he be happy if she falls seriously ill because of the soaking?

I think you are right to call 101 and hopefully she can get the help she needs.

That's a vile thing to do. What the hell possessed him?!

I don't have anything to add to the previous posts, I'm just horrified that someone could do that to another human.

what an utter cunt. I hope the police find her and are able to take her somewhere she can get warm and dry.

He's a pathetic excuse for a human being. I know this is wrong, but I do hope that karma exists and something nasty happens to him fairly soon.

What you did was lovely. I used to work in homelessness outreach in London, and that was much what we used to do. Leave people food and drink, chat to them if they were awake, and give them contact details for hostels.

I hope she's OK.

Oh she must be so hurt and sad :-(
Poor lady
Terrible

Your neighbour is a cruel nasty person.

Many women who are not on drugs or alcoholics won't go to hostels as they feel safer on the streets. Although the chance of homeless women being raped or beaten up is very very high. She is very vulnerable and needs help, not to be treated like this.

I believe that all of us are only really 3 steps away from homelessness- job, home,family. Ig all og that is taken away there really isnt must between anyone and a park bench! Well done for being a good human being OP.

He should be charged with assault and hopefully dealt with severely.