Received hate mail through the post - inform police?

[GeordieBadgers]

I realise this is probably going to sound trollish and unbelievable.

Today some rather bitchy hate mail arrived at my address (sent through the post from somewhere local). It didn't mention violence but it was emotionally threatening and vile (referred to my body, my parenting). I have quite severe mental health problems (depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder) so this hate mail has made me feel deeply scared. I suspect I know who it is from (but of course, cannot prove). To avoid drip-feeding:

A few months ago I was seeing a NHS therapist to deal with my mental health issues. He tried it on with me (serious stuff - got my personal details from my records and messaged me, turned up at my house, tried to kiss me, etc). I reported him. He lost his job. Consequently his wife has made no secret that she hates me. We all live in the same small town. She probably had something to do with the hate mail.

I realise that due to my mental health issues I'm more disturbed by the hate mail than perhaps the average Joe would be. If you felt as scared as I do, would you inform police? Could they even help?

Thanks in advance everyone.

[peggyundercrackers]

Definitely report it to the police. Given some of the personal details in the notes and the personal details this other person knew about you it wouldn't take a leap of faith to think they could be connected. Tell the police who you think it is.

I wouldn't wait to go round to a station, give them a call and let them come to you.

[embo1]

Report it.

[OnTheTurningAway]

Chaz However, that is only if it goes to court. It is entirely possible that the police could go around, have a word, and it stops completely. It may be that is all that is needed. It might not be necessary to go through a court process at all.

I hope it does go to court. This person should be punished for doing such a horrible thing.

[happypoobum]

The police will be able to tell who sent the messages unless sent from untraceable phone/SIM. I had a similar situation and it was horrible.

Stay strong OP. Most of us would be really scared and worried in your situation so don't feel you are over reacting.

Let the police do their work.

[tinyterrors]

You've done absolutely nothing to cause or deserve this, none of it is your fault.

Another saying to phone the police and make an appointment as soon as possible, take the note and envelope and your phone and tell them everything. It might help you to write everything down now with whatever times, names, dates etc as you can remember wrt the therapist's behaviour. That way you can refer back to it, or just give it to the police officer, so that nerves and emotions won't cause you to forget anything.

I'd take a photo of the letter and envelope (just in case)without touching if you can, then put both in a plastic bag.

I agree with others that it can be possible for tech savvy people to recover deleted texts, especially from smartphones.

Hopefully the police will be able to find out for definite who is responsible and they leave you alone.

[MiscellaneousAssortment]

Lots of knowledgeable posters here so I'll leave the practical stuff to them.

But I hope you report it and the police andI their stuff. Its easy to think of this person as an all powerful relentless attacker, but like most bullies and victimisers if they realise someone stronger is on to them, they fold so much easier than you'd ever imagine. And that's what I hope is going to happen here for you. If the police do visit this husband and wife and make it very clear that they are known and this harassment will not be tolerated, it's likely they will be too scared to carry on this awful behaviour towards you.

All my fingers and toes are crossed for you. I'm not the strongest either when it comes to mh, and would feel paralysed with fear, and wondering what he hell I'd done to draw this negative attention on me. But I'd be wrong to feel like that, so I'm thinking, make sure you don't go down that particular rabbit hole if you can avoid it ok?

[Memoires]

You poor thing. I'm glad he was sacked, all his behaviour - at the time he was meant to be treating you and subsequently - has shown that you did the right thing and so did the NHS. He is completely unsuitable and should never be able to occupy a position like that again.

Police will take it seriously. Make an appt and have no fear. Keep breathing!

[Hissy]

I can't add to the advice here, but absolutely wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you and that you really don't deserve any of this awful treatment. Please call 101 and ask for the best way to report this? Tell them too that you don't feel safe in your home, they may fast track things and come and see you.

You need real life hand holding and the police is a good place to start.

Huge hugs to you from me too

[Prawnofthepatriarchy]

I'm with everyone else. Report it immediately, I'd call 999 myself - it's not a small thing - and don't touch the letter or envelope again. This is horrible, OP, and you have my deepest sympathy.

It's a shit thing to happen but it's in no way your fault (I have MH issues and know wrongly blaming yourself for stuff is all too common)

This needs sorting without any messing. I think not involving the police would be a major mistake.

[kierenthecommunity]

Defo call 101 and make an appointment. If you just turn up, especially at the weekend you run the risk they'll be no one free to see you and you will have a wasted trip

[GeordieBadgers]

Ereni what happened?

[GeordieBadgers]

Fluffy I DO have an android phone.

[EreniTheFrog]

I agree: report it. I had a very nasty letter once (though v different scenario) and the police took it extremely seriously.

[giraffesCantReachTheirToes]

absolutely report it

[FluffyPersian]

You poor thing. You do the right thing and report the man for what he did and you seem to be 'rewarded' by getting hate mail and texts. That's utterly shocking and so, so wrong on all levels.

I echo what everyone else says - Report to the Police ASAP and also tell them about the texts, should you get any more, please don't delete them. I don't know if you have an android phone, but even when you delete texts, the number is still stored in the phone logs?

I really hope this stops and you feel better soon.

[Footyfan16]

Call 111 and report it.
You never know, they may go round and have a quiet word.

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

The minimum penalty is a fine, the maximum for the most serious cases is up to 2 years in jail.

However, that is only if it goes to court. It is entirely possible that the police could go around, have a word, and it stops completely. It may be that is all that is needed. It might not be necessary to go through a court process at all.

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

If there is reference to your mental health problems and they are classed as a disability then it may be regarded as a hate crime. Clearly that will depend on your condition and the nature of the letter.

[GeordieBadgers]

Thanks Chazs. That certainly meets the description. I wonder what the minimum penalty is? Even a police warning would do.

[Scarydinosaurs]

They retrieve deleted messages from the storage on your phone. It can be done by uploading the phone onto a computer. Tech clever people can do it.

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

From the Crown Prosecution Service Website
"Threatening letters or other articles - Section 1 Malicious Communications Act, 1988

The Malicious Communications Act 1988 section 1, see Stones 8.20830, deals with the sending to another of any article which is indecent or grossly offensive, or which conveys a threat, or which is false, provided there is an intent to cause distress or anxiety to the recipient. The offence covers letters, writing of all descriptions, electronic communications, photographs and other images in a material form, tape recordings, films and video recordings. Poison-pen letters are usually covered.

Particularly serious examples may justify a more serious charge, e.g. threats to kill.

The offence is one of sending, delivering or transmitting, so there is no requirement for the article to reach the intended recipient.

The terms of section 1 were considered in Connolly v DPP [2007] 2 All ER 1012, and "indecent or grossly offensive" were said to be ordinary English words. The fact that there was a political or educational motive behind the accused sending graphic photographs of aborted foetuses did not help her, and her argument that her behaviour was protected by Articles 9 and 10 ECHR (freedom of religion and speech) did not succeed, because the restrictions on those rights were justified under Articles 9(2) and 10(2).

Section 32 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 amended section 1 making the offence an either-way offence and increased the maximum penalty to 2 years' imprisonment for offences committed on or after 13 April 2015. This amendment allowed more time for investigation, and a more serious penalty available in appropriate cases."

[GeordieBadgers]

OVienna how so?

Thanks everyone for the hand holding. It means a lot to me.

[OVienna]

def mention to police.

[glasgowlass]

I'd phone 101 Geordie. They can advise you & help make an appt to go to local station or may actually arrange for officers to come to your home. Tell them about panic attacks & your feeling vulnerable. Whoever is behind this needs caught & stopped. Please do tell about texts, phone provider may still be able to assist police with this. Please don't delete anymore. You need to keep all evidence to help build case.