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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

My brother had rang hmrc on his ex

120 replies

bhbb · 05/03/2019 14:23

I've nc and this is going to be long but I don't want to drip feed.

My brother met his ex in 2012. For the first year she was great. We got along really well.

DB already had a dd from a previous relationship. She had no kids. She got on ok with dd (my niece). I hoped their relationship would grow as I knew the ex hadn't been around kids before.

Fast forward to a year later, she's pregnant. They have a son. The ex isn't happy where she and db live and she wants to be closer to her parents. Db agrees even though he is moving 45 mins away from his daughter.

At this time, db comes into some money. She insists all the money is spent on new things for the house. Db lives in the house for a total of 2 months and she kicks him out. All the bills are also in dbs name. He also took a couple of things out on finance for the house.

Db comes and stays at mine. He tells me everything that's gone on.

  • The ex through things at Db in front of my niece. My niece got so scared she ran out of the house and Db had to chase her. This was when she was pregnant and she blamed her hormones. She through a pan of water over his head. My niece has spoken to me about these incidents since and confirmed they were true. She was scared stiff of the ex. I had no idea. My poor niece.
  • she trapped his arm in the door when he was trying to say bye to his son. He took photos of his arm and it was badly bruised.
  • db found messages on the ex's phone to a friend slagging off his daughter (she was only 9 here). The messages were disgusting. Saying how she wished she could ship dd away or get her kidnapped.
  • she has also been messaging other men behind his back.

Db carried on staying at mine. The ex completely blocked him on everything and she refused to let db see his son.

Eventually contact resumed. The ex worked part time claiming single parent benefits. But also started working in a pub cash in hand 4 nights a week. From 4pm to midnight she would get £100 cash.

Db met someone else, she really is lovely and I'm happy to say they are married now with an baby of their own. Never seen him happier and more settled. His wife accepts dbs children as her own and they are a lovely family.

Db sees his soon regularly and has always paid maintenance and extra. PLUS the finance for the house he hardly lived in.

Things between Db and the ex have got bad over the last few months.

She ended one relationship and moved straight onto the next. This was 4 months ago. He has now moved in permanently. His kids have been introduced to ds. Db has massive concerns. Ds (my nephew) is struggling. His behaviour is terrible and he is getting in trouble at school. He is one mixed up little boy.

Db bends over backwards for ds. The ex is constantly changing drop off and collection times. Everything she asks for, db just does it. It winds me up! She takes advantage of him and his wife.

Db and his wife even cancelled a new year trip to London because the ex decided she no longer wanted ds for new year and was going to leave him at someone's house she hardly knew so she could go out! Ds is passed from person to person while in her care.

A couple of weeks ago, she sent a message to db saying she was reducing contact and he would no longer be coming for half of the time he usually does. This is not good for my nephew!! He needs his daddy. Now more than ever.

So Db went straight to a mediator and has his first appointment next week. I'm glad he is finally doing something as ds would be much better off with my db.

Anyway last night he received a horrible message from the ex slagging off his wife and baby. He saw red and this morning has rang the benefit fraud number and had told them what she's been doing for the last 4 years. She is refusing to pay for mediation also.

Me and db are very close. He came to mine in tears. He feels guilty about what he's done and what affect it might have on ds. But the ex is really pushing his buttons. I should point out here that the ex has never struggled financially. She went on 2 holidays abroad last year. Lives in a lovely house. Just got a brand new car. She's well and truly taken advantage of the benefit system. Db would have never of done it if she was struggling.

I'm sorry this is long but I don't know what to say to db. He's a mess. His wife is supporting him but she advised him not to ring hmrc - he's done it anyway.

So that it. Should he feel bad? I don't know. I just hate seeing him this way. All just such a mess. Im babysitting my niece and nephew tonight so they can go and have sometime together and to take his mind off things.

OP posts:
BlueSkiesLies · 05/03/2019 16:11

Three kids by three different women and a trail of chaotic and acrimonious relationships behind him. What .A. Catch.

bhbb · 05/03/2019 16:12

@Claw001 he hasn't done it for months. He used to but she stopped it . he did understand why as ds was starting school and it would of been unfair. It was never an issue for db. Its only been mentioned on here because you asked it

OP posts:
AcrossthePond55 · 05/03/2019 16:14

I see it as two separate issues that your DB has mashed together.

As good citizens, we all have the responsibility to report fraud. So your DB did the right thing by reporting her. The fact that he did it out of spite is irrelevant as far as that goes. But he should have done it earlier simply because it was the right thing to do.

His son has a right to a relationship with his dad (your DB). Your DB is right to contact a solicitor to pursue a court order.

Bellasorellaa · 05/03/2019 16:18

you told this whole unnecessary life story to say he called them because he was pissed she insulted his kid

chillpizza · 05/03/2019 16:20

Well if his suddenly now applied for mediation with a head to go to court as well as a sudden report to the benefits office it’s going to be deadly obvious where it’s all come from and if they can’t prove the fraud it’s going to paint him in a very bad light.

Hope his proud of himself. Rather than think of his child all he thought about was his ex.

Three kids, three mums. Of course people will judge we judge mums with three kids by three dads. His no better.

PortiaCastis · 05/03/2019 16:21

But if the woman isn't working the four nights what is he reporting her ?

bhbb · 05/03/2019 16:22

@Bellasorellaa absolutely not. He's been abused by her. Just the same as a man can abuse a woman. And I had no idea. She beat him. She scared his daughter so much she ran away. She's got away with all that. He should.of reported her to the police when she nearly broke his arm. But he didn't because he was scared.

And now hes the bad guy.

OP posts:
bhbb · 05/03/2019 16:23

@PortiaCastis she still is. It's just db not looking after ds. Sorry not explained that part well - school run time and distracted by my dc.

OP posts:
Claw001 · 05/03/2019 16:25

He has seen his son 4 nights a week for years. All sounds pretty amicable?

The kid starts school the last few months, so it stops and she moves a bloke in. Has she been working in the pub for the last few months? Or did he report she had been previously been working in a pub?

PortiaCastis · 05/03/2019 16:25

Confusing

TacoLover · 05/03/2019 16:27

Gosh how many more wives and children is he going to have, he's no better is he?

Hmmhe's not any better?

Are people missing where the ex beat him in front of the children???

combatbarbie · 05/03/2019 16:28

Well I think he's done the right thing, she has taken him for a mug and sadly the only thing that will hurt her is money in these situations.

I would strongly advise Db to apply for residency or at the very least a proper contact arrangement. How old is the son?

combatbarbie · 05/03/2019 16:29

Also what is on finance in the house because if he's still paying for them if remove them!

lisamac28 · 05/03/2019 16:30

I'd love to hear her side of this

Why? She's a nasty, vile abuser...you wouldn't get the truth.

OP I'm delighted your brother shopped her in to HMRC, it's the least she deserves. I can't understand why so many people are ignoring the abuse in your thread. Terrible.

Littleraindrop15 · 05/03/2019 16:34

A) he did right by contacting hmrc
B) he should of /needs to report the domestic violence to the police
C) take her to court for full custody
D) get money or items he can prove he has paid for back from her

Record date and time and messages of every conversation make her do it all in writing no more calls text and email communication.

pantsville · 05/03/2019 16:36

I am completely shocked by those saying that he shouldn't have reported the benefit fraud. I'm trying to understand why not, could anyone possibly explain? If you commit a crime you need to be held accountable for your actions.

bhbb · 05/03/2019 16:38

She's worked in the pub for years. dB never had him 4 nights a week. It was always split between him, her brother and sisy3r and sometimes her dad. If db was wanted then he would do it. It wasn't 4 nights a week for years.

He started school and it completely stopped.

Normal contact continued.

Since then she has had 3 boytirends. Who have all been around ds.

The latest one has moved in already.

Ds confused by it. Behaviour bad at school. Db is in constant contact with them.

Ex then says she is reducing contact. Db will.only has ds one night eow

It's gone to that from one full weekend fri-sun and sat night/all day sunday the other weekend.

Db provides a stable home. He's been with his dw since ds was 1. He knows no different. Taking him away from db is not in the best interest of ds.

Db immediately gets mediation sorted. Ex says she's not paying it. Sends a text saying she wishes his wife did have cancer and she would die (maybe drunk, who knows)

Db sees red and does her for benefit fraud.

That's where he is now with it. He feels shit.

I won't post anymore. I lovely brother dearly and I want to help him. But here probably wasn't the best place to post so apologies and thanks to those who have been helpful

OP posts:
GloryforGloves · 05/03/2019 16:39

OP I'm delighted your brother shopped her in to HMRC, it's the least she deserves. I can't understand why so many people are ignoring the abuse in your thread. Terrible.

Actually I think shopping her was the wrong thing to do precisely because of the abuse. DB’s absolute main concern should be getting his DS away from the situation to make sure he doesn’t grow up in that environment - instead he’s more concerned about punishing his ex. Normally I’d think you should raise concerns if you have them but in this situation the DB’s priorities should have been about putting his DS’s needs first.

Without saying too much I actually come from a broken family that went through a very messy divorce. My DM made allegations against my DF that couldn’t be proved - they ended up going against her as my DF’s solicitor used them to show her as a ‘manipulative liar’.

Lovemusic33 · 05/03/2019 16:40

Sounds like a Jeremy Kyle sketch to me 🤣

If she is earning £100 you will probably find it doesn’t effect her housing benefit that much, she also wouldn’t be paying tax on £100 a week either so she’s not dodging tax as such, she might as well declare her hours.

As for reporting her, I think that was a awful thing to do and it will backfire on your db, she could cut contact completely and make things even harder. I don’t really understand why he would report her and put his son at risk of not having food on the table (if she owes money she will be made to pay it back). If she was receiving income support then she will be made to pay that back if there’s any actual proof that she’s been working.

I feel sorry for all the kids involved, your db is selfish having 3 children with 3 different women, I can’t see how he can support all of them financially and emotionally.

lisamac28 · 05/03/2019 16:43

Three kids by three different women and a trail of chaotic and acrimonious relationships behind him. What .A. Catch

One chaotic relationship...you just made the rest up in your head. Have you no blame for the absolute piece of shit ex-girlfriend who abused him?

Claw001 · 05/03/2019 16:46

It’s all very confusing Confused

Rtmhwales · 05/03/2019 16:50

*I'd love to hear her side of this

Why? She's a nasty, vile abuser...you wouldn't get the truth. *

Not necessarily. I once shoved XH out of the way because he was physically trying to stop me from leaving the house. He later told everyone I hit him and googled "what do you when your wife is abusing you" Hmm It's hard to know what's the truth without both sides of the story. We don't have his or hers, just his sister's hearsay after the fact.

If the benefit fraud bothered him so much morally he should've reported it when he first found out. I have no qualms he's reported her now but I don't think he can take the moral high ground when he's known about it all this long and only now just acted in retaliation.

It's hard to know who's right about the finance for the house stuff - what was it? If DB chose to finance something solely in his name then he's responsible for paying it. If it's something like furniture, he should go get it.

IHateUncleJamie · 05/03/2019 16:51

@bhbb if you come back, your db can report historical abuse to Police. Did he keep a photo of his injuries?

WRT the call to HMRC well, it’s done now. Not what I’d have done, but you can’t turn back time. Your brother needs to focus on his son’s welfare now. Is the mediation going ahead? If not, what’s his next step?

Belenus · 05/03/2019 16:51

If we actually got rid of all those who dodge the rules and people only took what they were untitled to, we would have a far better nhs Services, police on the streets . . I could go on.

Whilst I would in no way condone it, benefit fraud simply isn't that great in extent. There are some figures here www.indy100.com/article/benefit-fraud-tax-dodging-paradise-papers-evasion-avoidance-billions-government-statistics-8056846

It may sound like a lot of money, but it isn't enough to suddenly start funding the NHS and police properly. Rumours that it's so great in extent are unhelpful because they distract from the real issues of underfunding and they make it seem as if benefit fraud is rife, making it very difficult for genuine claimants. This isn't done accidentally - the more the government can make life hard for genuine claimants the more money they save.

marvellousnightforamooncup · 05/03/2019 16:51

Three kids by three different women and a trail of chaotic and acrimonious relationships behind him. What .A. Catch

Irrelevant and in the circumstances, sexist. It's the ex gf who is the abusive piece of shit! The DB is happily married now.

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