to be shocked about my mum and dads neighbour?

[ElfOnTheTopShelf]

A while ago, my mum and dad's next door neighbours windows were smashed, all the ones at the front of the house was smashed in.
Nobody understood why, the neighbour is in his 70's, and my dad, who had been having trouble with with my aunts new boyfriend (long story which I wont go into!) assumed that it was his windows that were meant to have been smashed, and they'd smashed the neighbours in error.
Anyway, it has come to light in the past week that he has been arrested for molesting young girls. My parents dont know the details (such as when this was supposed to have taken place, how many involved) but I'm
He's been their neighbour since they moved in in the early 80's

by the way, I realise this may be a false accusation and innocent until proven otherwise but still feeling a little shocked!

Gosh, dont really know what to say.
Clearly not unreasonable to be shocked!
I hope its wrong, there are some vindictive people out there.
Thing is, even if he is now cleared, I would imagine that you (and I) would not feel comfortable with him around our children.
The world can be a very sad place
Hope its not true ....

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I know innocent until proven guilty. I missed that off my first post but did add it.
True or not, still shocked today when my mum told me!

How has this 'come to light'????????

True or not - you're still shocked?

well, small villiage, gossip spreads slowly but gets around.
afaik, supposed to be going to court shortly

still shocked? I only found out over tea tonight.

Exactly - GOSSIP spreads quickly.

You haven't actually found out anything yet so what's to be shocked by unless you've got him down as guilty already?

I'm shocked at the situation whether true or not.
shocked if it turns out to be true, and shocked that an accusation like this has happened if it turns out to be false
iyswim.

No. He keeps himself to himself in the house and dd is only 2, spends time in my mum and dads garden but not un-supervised.
Not bothered on that front.

can't someone be shocked about the possibility without being 'ed at?

Only takes one person to start a rumour. Innocent until proven guilty?

Yes you can be shocked at the possibility, of course, but I very much felt the OP had him down as guilty and it made me feel uncomfortable.

But the OP said she was shocked, shocked at the fact that he has been accused - not shocked at the fct that he is guilty.. are you all seriously sayig you wouldn't be shocked if someone you knew was acused?

i'm going home now (still at my mums) so not running off, will check back later tonight / tomorrow morning.

She hasn't actually said "I'm shocked he was accused' tbh, but anyway.... I, that's me got the feeling he was already guilty from the posts and I felt uncomfortable with that.

I'd be very surprised if he were guilty, as I said, he's in his 70's and as far as I know, rarely leaves the house. Unless this is an accusation that dates back years.

You read in the paper about people being accused and it either being proved or not, but you never expect them to be your parents elderly next door neighbour.

I think I maybe posted slighlty inelegantly in the opening post - it wasn't supposed to be 'gosh, my parents neighbour is a peado' type post, just that I am surprised at what is happening.

Of course it's shocking

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I wouldnt be shocked at anyone being accused now actually. You cant even take a photo of your own kids in public without someone screaming you're a pervert. (Happened to a dad I know when someone elses kids were in the background).