Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Help! Anyone ! The local police just called me

982 replies

Mydoghasbettereyebrowsthanme · 24/05/2020 01:53

Exactly that - my DH went out when I was washing up and have not heard from him since . That was about 830-9. Eight minutes ago a woman rang me and said that he was at the local police station , they couldn't say why and that he was fine. That he would call me in the morning . I can't speak to him he is asleep and no one is hurt and he is ok but they could not ring earlier as they have been busy . What does this even mean ??? Why would they call to say that ? Am panicked and thinking up alsorts and unlikely to sleep now . Can anyone help me ? Please xx

OP posts:
andweallsingalong · 24/05/2020 09:00

My guess is they'll bail him on summons when he's slept it off. They don't always interview if they've got all the evidence they need between body worn footage and breath tests.

One thing to think about, do you both use the car or is it just his? After the court case he will be banned. If he drives whilst banned, many do (just once, then again) it's a big deal and with too convictions a custodial sentence would be on the table. So safer to sell the car if you don't need it.

Sorry you're going through this OP

SoNooneRecognisesMe · 24/05/2020 09:04

@andweallsingalong

You might want to read the OP's updates. He's already home.

FlamingoAndJohn · 24/05/2020 09:08

Bloody idiot.
I must have known he was over the limit after having drunk that much. It’s not like half a glass of wine too much is it.

Cherrysoup · 24/05/2020 09:12

At almost double the limit, he is very likely to lose his licence, I’m afraid.

81Byerley · 24/05/2020 09:12

I really feel for you. My idiot ex left his motorbike at the pub and walked home because he knew he was over the limit. The next day he went back to get his bike, but couldn't resist going in for a pint first. He must have still been over the limit. Got stopped on the way home, and got an 18 month ban and a large fine.
I left him because of that. We are still friends, I'm married to someone else, and he says this is his song.

Blah1881 · 24/05/2020 09:13

OP, one day, not too far in the future, you will look back at this from a calm and better place and it will all be something that happened a long time ago. Make sure you get lots of sleep now and look after yourself.

FinnefanFox · 24/05/2020 09:14

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

PhilCornwall1 · 24/05/2020 09:16

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ because it repeated a deleted post.

Magissa · 24/05/2020 09:18

@Blah1881 that is so true and very calming to read.

thedancingbear · 24/05/2020 09:19

At almost double the limit, he is very likely to lose his licence, I’m afraid.

Why are you afraid? I'm overjoyed; this is great news.

As a repeat offender I think he should be looking at a significant prison term.

Laundrywoman · 24/05/2020 09:24

So they released a drunk driver just a few hours after arresting him? I think not
Everybody's an expert on drunk driving.

backseatcookers · 24/05/2020 09:28

He will be banned so his job is now gone.

This is the latest in a long line of selfish and manipulative behaviour (because he will manipulate you when he sobers you) mainly centred around alcohol.

You are with an alcohol dependent man who has yet again prioritised drink over police charges, his driving licence and therefore his job aka a massive chunk of his children's security.

Not to mention the fact he's bloody lucky he didn't (hopefully) hurt himself of anyone else.

I've re-read your other threads (I remembered them as I really felt for you) and he is so utterly selfish and self destructive that he is not capable of being in a relationship.

Please don't waste any more time showing your children this as the blueprint for a relationship. You don't mean to I know, and fuck me youve been doing an amazing job basically being two parents at once, but you are both part of modelling unhealthy, dysfunctional and damaging relationships to them.

If you summon the courage to tell him it's over and he threatens to harm himself (be ready for this threat, it's manipulator 101) then tell him you are doing this for the children. So they can live in a safe and healthy environment and learn how healthy and happy people live together and treat each other.

He will have the space to either work on himself for himself and his children, with medical help and therapy, or hit rock bottom.

It is YOUR responsibility to protect your children, not to protect him.

I know you don't think he would but if he was drinking and desperate for more drink and wanted one enough, if you weren't there, he would either drink drive with them in the car or leave them unattended. Either way their safety wouldn't come first. Do you believe that yet?

And he'd be devastated and so so sorry, genuinely, but his actions described in even just the threads on here show that he would risk them.

Please don't let him convince you that you need to save him. Save your kids instead.

ThanksThanksThanks

twostripycats · 24/05/2020 09:29

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

ohfourfoxache · 24/05/2020 09:30

You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of - this one is all on him

I know you’ve started getting your documents together so you probably have this in hand, but there is a list on this link under what to include in your safety packing list

www.womenshealth.gov/relationships-and-safety/domestic-violence/leaving-abusive-relationship

AwwDontGo · 24/05/2020 09:30

.

backseatcookers · 24/05/2020 09:30

OP, one day, not too far in the future, you will look back at this from a calm and better place and it will all be something that happened a long time ago. Make sure you get lots of sleep now and look after yourself.

This is lovely and so true.

And you will feel SO proud of yourself.

Imagine seeing your kids running around the garden laughing during summer (whether it's this one or next!) while you sit and relax watching their little faces with pure joy.

And those moments of joy will no longer be tainted by waiting for him to get home / wondering if he's bought more booze / worrying about court cases and his job...

I'm excited for you!

Shortfeet · 24/05/2020 09:32

@SkinSkin, thank you.

What a kind, measured post from someone who has been through this.

The Mumsnet LTB lynch mob could learn a thing or two from you.

OP you are not the first person to be in this ghastly situation and you won’t be the last.

It’s up to you and your husband no navigate your way through this . Best of luck. X

prh47bridge · 24/05/2020 09:32

So they released a drunk driver just a few hours after arresting him? I think not

In that case you know absolutely nothing about how the police work. They don't want the cells cluttered up with drunk drivers so they release them as soon as it is appropriate for them to do so. Once the person has sobered up enough and been charged there is no reason to hold them any more.

@Mydoghasbettereyebrowsthanme - I'm really sorry you are going through this (and that some posters appear to be accusing you of making it up). I just wanted to clarify the likely outcome for your husband. Assuming you are in England, under the current sentencing guidelines, for a reading of 69 he will get a band C fine (between 125% and 175% of his relevant weekly income) or possibly a low level community order. He is likely to be disqualified for 17-22 months. If his previous offence had been within the last 10 years he would be disqualified for at least 3 years. As it was 19 years ago that doesn't apply but the fact he has a previous offence is likely to mean that he will face a higher penalty than he would for a first offence.

Twisique · 24/05/2020 09:32

Do you want to live with an alcoholic, someone who walks out without a word?

Bertucci · 24/05/2020 09:33

What a nightmare OP. Hope you’re ok.

I can imagine feeling ashamed. It’s a perfectly natural reaction, even though it’s not your fault.

Ignore all the unsolicited marriage advice on here from people that know nothing about your relationship.

I hope once the shock and anger wears off, you can both work out how to get through this.

TARSCOUT · 24/05/2020 09:33

@mydoghasbettereyebrowsthanme and @lockdownbird you both deserve so much better, lookafter yourselves

prh47bridge · 24/05/2020 09:34

As a repeat offender I think he should be looking at a significant prison term

He won't be. A reading of 69 isn't anywhere near the level required to justify a custodial sentence, even for a repeat offender.

NOTANUM · 24/05/2020 09:37

Please read @SkinSkin post on page 11.

Only you can decide what comes next and whether it is a fight worth having. If this happened to my DH I would stand by him and work it through, because he has been a star throughout our marriage. But he's a human star and maybe one day he could make a mistake (although he doesn't drink!). Only you can tell if this is shitty behaviour from a great person, or expected behaviour from an unreliable person.

Don't let the MN crowd make your decisions. Stay strong.

SimpleKindofLife · 24/05/2020 09:38

Hope you're ok OP Thanks

thedancingbear · 24/05/2020 09:42

He won't be. A reading of 69 isn't anywhere near the level required to justify a custodial sentence, even for a repeat offender.

Yes, I know. My point is I think it's wrong. It's a deliberate, calculated, callous act that leads to deaths.

OP, 666 people were killed by drunk drivers last year. He's part of that picture and has blood on his hands. Drink drivers are cunts, the lowest of the low. If you stay with him, you're supporting and enabling him and his kind.

Can't believe there are people on here talking about whether the relationship is worth 'fighting for'. For absolute fuck's sake. Her kids are going to grow up around this. It's entirely possible he's had them in the car while pissed.

I'm not usually one of the LTB brigade but serial drink driving and multiple convictions is way over my line. Where does yours lie OP?