To not sack our window-cleaner?

[Theraininpsain]

The man who used to do our windows recently sold his business to a younger guy. Younger guy has been twice, seems pleasant, and we've had no issues, but I just discovered he's got previous. Don't want to be too specific but there seem to be four offences which involved mugging, a weak attempt at fraud, and violence (punches) to two other men. None of it landed him in jail, he was early 20s at the time, and there's nothing from the past seven years.
I don't particularly want the hassle of finding someone else, especially when he does all the neighbours' windows. I also don't want to punish someone who has possibly turned it around.
At the same time, I feel a bit uncomfortable with the idea of him cleaning while we're on holiday (we don't go that often) and realising the house is empty - even though he doesn't seem to have been caught breaking and entering. Aibu to keep him on?

Because it's irrelevant to what I'm asking.

Baffling.

I can’t fathom a reason why I would Google my window cleaner! But hey… each to their own

Do you have a partner you live with Op?

presumably you have told them and asked them what they think?

Bloody hell @Jazzappledelish, were you one of the people he mugged? You've posted like 15 times on this thread already!

Recovering from minor op, sunbathing in garden, at a loose end!

I wonder how the person mugged would feel though. I suspect he or she would still very much remember him.

ok my story!

A few years ago I worked at an ABS. We were setting up as solicitors, one of the employees recommended his friend and I saw his application as I was the legal secretary there. He’d got a conviction for assault can’t quite recall how severe (GBH etc) but he got a suspended sentence, fine and community service. This apparently happened on a member of the public and was an unprovoked attack. I thought nothing of it, he started and appeared to be very nice. Then one day I was alone in the office and he grabbed my hand roughly and mouse to get me to do something that came from me and not him (he’d have got in trouble if it was from him), I told him to get off me but he threatened me. On another occasion he groped me in the kitchen area and smirked whilst doing so.

Our main boss was a sexist ex banker and prone to saying sexist language out loud in the office.

I complained about my colleague and the HR person was sympathetic but mainly on this man’s side. After he then tried to deny me access to software to do my work I decided to resign. He’s now working there as a solicitor (started as a paralegal) and he’s one of the few people I dislike intensely. I highly doubt he’s changed and he certainly hasn’t changed re low level violence and aggression. I have no idea if he’d attacked people before but rumour has it that he had done this years before but the other person didn’t press charges.

I know a few petty criminals when younger who’ve now gone straight. Some are ok, some are well known for violence and you steer clear of them. I don’t know them personally now but sometimes see them out and about.

In this case I’d get rid.

I‘m not sure there’s a massive risk here.

I know nothing about my window cleaner except his first name.

How would he know you’re on holiday as opposed to just being out?

This!!!

Really?? If that's true that's pretty disgusting isn't it? :-(

If it's easy to find out about his past via a quick google he'll find it hard to gain employment.

I would give him the benefit of the doubt.

why do you care? Maybe she was checking reviews? Looking for his phone number? Perfectly normal reasons

Precisely. So why specifically withhold that very innocuous detail unless would cast a different light on the scenario.

OP doesn’t mention whether she lives alone and, if so, what the person she lives with thinks.
I suspect that fact she’s asking mumsnet and speaks exclusively as “I” - either lives alone or… her partner disagrees.

The googling and not giving the reason why is weird.

Goodness. I never tell ANYONE when I’m going to be away, except my cat-sitter. It’s common sense.

Your lack of imagination isn't really relevant to the OPs question is it?

How would a window cleaner know you were on holiday?

It's probably something a bit embarrassing like finding out if he's single

Goodness you’re quite hung up about me asking aren’t you?! Another thing that baffles me! 😂

Yup!

No, how have you got that from my one post on the thread? Are you confusing me with another poster?

A lot of the guys (not all) who cut your keys/heel your shoes/make your door number are reformed criminals. Timpsons have a scheme in which they train and employ those released from Prison.

Give the guy a chance, he's trying to better himself, and I'm far from wishy washy.

www.timpson-group.co.uk/timpson-foundation/ex-offenders/

By carefully selecting the right individuals to work in our business

sensible

And if the OP had done the same, I’d be applauding but to just say that someone who has committed violent crimes and deception has reformed on the basis that he bought a business - is plainly naive