Witness to neighbour abuse.

[Brunelofbrio]

i was at a house in an area near my home to collect some items I bought on Facebook market place, when I witnessed some nasty abusive behaviour from a neighbour ( to the vendor).

it seemed out of order - youngish man who appeared to be under the influence of something shouting at his neighbour (70s female) and accusing her of all sorts.

Clearly a toxic situation but I have been asked to give evidence to the council on the Vendors behalf. Of course I could only mention the behaviour I witnessed and so would only feed into the ‘bigger picture’ for what is clearly an ongoing problem. But should I get involved just for this ‘snapshot?

Of course you should. Why wouldn't you?

Yes, it could make all the difference in effecting the protection she needs.

Clearly yes. Wouldn’t you want someone to do that if the elderly lady was someone you loved, or yourself in the future?

Also, which way is your voting? Is YABU to say you are being unreasonable to think about not doing this, or to say you would be U to do it?

I would but I’d do while being very careful that the neighbour doesn’t somehow find out my name or address etc.

people like this ruin other’s lives when it’s bad and this sounds bad if he is happy to do it in public in front of complete strangers. Sounds like a guy who doesn’t give a hoot who he hurts.

your evidence may well tip this into a harassment case with non biased witnesses rather than a basic he said she said neighbour dispute, that means she gets left to deal with it alone. It could be really helpful to her.

Of course. This week it’s verbal abuse, next week we could be reading about a physical attack or even a murder. I think we have to have a zero tolerance to abuse in any form.
( and a 70 year old woman could have been terrified by nasty shouting man)

Yes of course. Your testimony will carry additional weight because you are independent.

Definitely. You obviously don't know what other evidence is available for either side, but your account may be crucial. Don't worry about your address being disclosed; witnesses are not usually asked this information in court, unless it's relevant to the case, for example if a witness is describing an incident which she saw from her own window and the court needs to know how good a view she had.

Yes definitely. This sounds like my next door neighbour to be honest and the victim sounds like my next door but one.