Neighbour says he is not allowed to have a computer...sounds bad to me.

[choccyp1g]

My neighbour has fallen out with almost everyone around due to erratic behaviour, eg talking very loudly on his mobile at 4am and wandering about in his dressing gown. I live far enough away that his behaviour doesn't bother me and try to just say a quick hello in passing and don't pay attention to other neighbours' gossip.

He is always full of rambling stories that don't quite make sense - claims to has been in the SAS, says he's about to receive loads of money etc. He clearly has mental health issues, and has mentioned that he has a social worker and that the police visit 'to make sure he is not being hassled'

Tonight he came chatting while I was gardening at the front, and mentioned that he is not allowed to have a computer (because of having been in the SAS!)

I can only think of one reason for this. Do sex offenders get banned from owning computers or is he just talking rubbish because he can't afford one?

It's quite a leap to go from "possible mental health problems" to "possible sex offender" simply because he doesn't have a computer.

I think you need to just take a step back and relax a bit.

he might have been harassing people - that could get him banned too.

Or it might just be a manifestation of his mental health issue.

Or yes he might have looked up child pornography

Either way I wouldn't jump to conclusions, and if any of the above are true it still doesn't necessarily mean your own children are at risk.

Given the rest of his stories, it doesn't seem likely that this one is true. But I think there are other crimes that can lead to being banned from having a computer, like hacking. I might have seen that on a US TV show though!

There could be lots of reasons, including harassment on social media/stalking - if indeed he is actually telling them truth!

He might not be allowed a computer because he's got poor credit and was refused finance/store card

So many reasons.

But tbh, at this stage, none of them your business really

Thats a bit of a leap really. And not very fair to assume that.

Harassment could well be involved as he accuses everyone of hassling him, and apparently goes to their house to complain so ends up harassing them. I feel as though he lives in a fantasy world it was only after he said about the computer I was wondering later on what that was all about? And could only think of on-line sex offense.

Tbh every conversation I have with him, I come away thinking wtf so this is probably just one more bit of general bizarre-ness.

I do feel sorry for him but at the same time sort of wary and just not want to get involved.

Sorry for him because he is lonely and wants to talk but it is never a proper conversation.

Or, maybe he is allowed a computer (i.e. it's a non-issue) but believes he is not allowed one, in line with his other deluded beliefs.

More likely that he has mental health issues of a paranoia and schizophrenic nature. If you are concerned for his well-being then you could ring up your adult social worker dept for advice.

Do courts impose bans on owning computers, whatever the crime? It seems to me that it would limit the (ex) offender's life so much as to be detrimental to their rehabilitation. i.e. no email contact with anyone, unable to work, less able to seek work etc. And, with technology as it is, how would you define "computer"? Not much point banning a desktop PC if he can have a smart phone, for example.

I can see that MH professionals could recommend that he doesn't have one - my MH would undoubtedly be better without the internet!

You're right that a SOPO might well prohibit use/ownership of computers and other Internet enabled devices. You don't know whether there is a restriction at all, whether this was advice, or whether it's a fantasy. Given that he sounds unstable, I think you're right to be cautious.

Do courts impose bans on owning computers, whatever the crime?

We had a prolific on line paedophile banned from even using a computer unsupervised a couple of weeks ago. We had a discussion in the office about how difficult it would make life but then came to the conclusion that if you want to go about your life uninterrupted and free, don't get involved in revolting crimes.

Banned from owning a computer is very common on sex offender prevention orders, which most sex offenders will be subjec to

However, op in your case it may well just be fantasy. People with MH issues have all sorts of paranoias and delusions, from believing the CIA are monitoring them therefore they have lined their house in tin foil to block the "radio waves" to believing the street light outside their house was sending them secret messages (both true stories)

So how's "computer" defined the truffle? Is he allowed a phone?

Or WII/X Box? Ipod? all give internet access.