To feel really frustrated about this?

[schoolmumthrowaway11]

Very long story short so I’m not identified - I was physically attacked by another school mum and her partner a few months ago. It was unprovoked and in a secluded area. They tried to steal my belongings. I couldn’t defend myself as I was pushing DD in her pram and also walking Ddog - in the moment just wanted to get away and I was really shaken up.

The police believe my story of events and that they are the offenders in question, but have ultimately dropped the case due to no evidence. I feel deflated as I’m going to have to see her at school - she’s quite brazen and shouty and I think she’ll try something the next time I see her. Aibu to be annoyed that they have essentially gotten away with this?

I know the police have finite resources and have to make decisions like this, but it is just so ridiculous that people like this just get to behave with impunity and walk free and there’s nothing I can do!

YANBU feeling frustrated about it. How awful for you OP, that’s disgusting.

That’s awful for you and you’re right to feel upset by the outcome although you sound very reasonable and understanding too.
Keep a diary going forward of any nastiness from her. Then if she tries anything like that again to you or anyone else there’s more evidence to get a restraining order keeping her away from you or them.
Also - is there anyone else you can walk with?

I'd feel very vulnerable. I'd ask a friend or another school mum I'm friendly with to walk to the school with me. I'd also think about speaking to the school about your fear of her behavior in front of the children. It is their business when it's on/ next to the school and they have the parents and childrens safety to consider.

YANBU. I don’t know what I’d do in this situation and just wanted to let you know that I think it’s awful! Will be watching the thread to see if anyone has any solutions that don’t involve moving away 🤷🏻‍♀️

Thanks all.

I don’t know how to react myself. I don’t want to feel like I have to change my lifestyle/plans as a result of her. That just means she has ‘won’ doesn’t it?

Wish I chose street justice instead of legal justice tbh! Not that I’m much of a fighter

She’s known to be quite rude and nasty with other parents, her DS is a bully to towards other pupils and is constantly getting into fights (but of course he’s never at fault according to her.) it’s a joke

*a joke that nothing at all is happening to her aside from ‘a stern talking to.’

God what a joke! There was evidence-your account. Sounds like the police/cps were too lazy to pursue it

I am so angry on your behalf that they got away with this. Surely there would have at least been dna evidence from the assault?

In your shoes honestly I would be looking at other schools, maybe even moving if you can. You have no guarantee they won’t do this again.

The police don’t doubt that I was attacked or that an ‘altercation’ with them took place, but the offenders denied that they actually assaulted me when interviewed by the police with the advice of their solicitor. So it’s a my word against theirs situation. It’s also really annoying that they have had a lot of time to prepare their lies/story with their duty solicitor when I just told the (true) version of events immediately after it happened. I didn’t create or concoct a story at all, they did.

I have really tried pushing the police to take this further. The officer said he understood my frustration but then starting going on about attempted murder cases & victims that have been hospitalised, with the same no further action marker for the same reasons - which is humbling (but also a bit patronising).

This is disgraceful.
I am angry for you. What a sick world we live in

Hi OP

I would be unbelievably frustrated as well. Maybe if you take some positive action you will feel a bit better? Some self defence classes? Some kind of belt to keep your belongings safe? A hidden camera so if she does try anything again you will have better proof?

I know the onus shouldn't be on victims of crime to prevent it but sometimes it's better to feel like you're taking back control a bit by doing something

I’m so sorry to hear you went through this. It makes me so angry that people think they can just do whatever that want, without a thought for their victims.

I get that you don’t want to have to change your life because of them. I know it sounds silly but could you maybe get a go pro and mount it to the pram? It’ll be like your very own cctv wherever you go.

Thank you :)

Self defence classes are something I’m looking into! I need to go to the gym anyway so hopefully this will just spur on a better me!

In the least offensive way possible, they’re both typical Jeremy Kyle fodder, so I’ll just have to live my life contently knowing that I’m never going to be like them. The police may have NFA’d the case but they’ll still be trashy in possibly every way, so I have ‘won’ in that sense, my life is pretty nice in comparison to theirs.

I'd be buying one of these and wearing it that way you have concrete proof they can't deny should they try again.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/BOBLOV-1080P-Camera-Police-Camcorder/dp/B077B8H1C8?ref=fsclpppldpp1