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Harassment Order threats

7 replies

skyraider · 26/11/2021 19:32

I'll try to make this brief whilst putting in all the relevant stuff. I don't even know if this is the right place to put this - so if it isn't, please suggest where else to post it and I'll delete this one!!

The question i need an answer to is "does this person have grounds to take out a harassment order against me?"

So here's the background ...

Split up with partner a year ago when i discovered he'd been lying about getting divorced and was still popping round to see his wife, particularly during lockdown. They'd been separated 4 years but he's not let go of that life. Two grown up kids.

He's spent the year trying to convince me he's been seeing a counsellor and he's changed - and making all the same promises as before.
I've spent the year on anti-depressants & having counselling. Not seen him and refuse to until he actually does what he says.
Started to believe him, thinking maybe he was a new man, but something wasn't sitting right.

He doesn't live in the same town but as i was in his area (legitimate reasons!) I drove past his marital home (he's supposedly living at his mum's).
He's there. Not the first time he's been caught out lying and being there, but I've never done anything other than bring it to his attention and make him aware he's been caught out.

So after calming down I knocked on the door.
Calmly asked to see him, told his (ex?)wife I was a friend, he came to the door and sheepishly said hello, I merely said "yeah, thought so" and walked away.

He's still messaging me trying to manipulate me into seeing him as he says his wife is talking to the police and is arranging a harassment order against me.
I'm not replying. But i am concerned about being arrested and cautioned.

I didn't think harassment was a one off.
And as I wasn't threatening or abusive or violent how is it harassment?
I wasn't there to see her or make threats against her - just to see my ex-partner who supposedly wanted me back.
She's not the "victim" (is she?), other than being married to someone who is dishonest!

If anything, I feel like i'm the one who has been harassed after a year of hundreds of emails from him, threats of suicide if i don't get back with him, lots of excuses for behaviour, blaming anyone and everything else.
But I deleted all those emails after finding him with her, so that i could put it behind me and remove him from my life.
Needless to say, I'm done with it all and have no intention of ever seeing him again, or going anywhere near his/her house.

So - does she have grounds for a harassment order? Is it something that will give me a criminal record? Or is it just a manipulation by him?

OP posts:
CorrBlimeyGG · 26/11/2021 19:37

A single incident of harassment would be words of advice, followed by a harassment notice if there was a further incident. Neither would give you a criminal record.

Harassment is unwelcome contact, it is about the impact on the victim, not the motivation of the perpetrator.

You're doing the best thing by cutting all contact. Stick with that course of action.

Ilovethewild · 26/11/2021 19:40

Op, I don’t have legal expertise but it doesn’t sound like grounds for harassment order. BUT, you can’t dictate what another person will allege and so it’s up to them to seek action if they choose.
I think they would need to know you and your address, otherwise how will they serve it?

Sounds like you need to block him on all socials, and move on with your life..

skyraider · 26/11/2021 20:01

@CorrBlimeyGG there won't be any further incidents for sure! Not replying to any messages but keeping them from now on in case he goes a bit OTT.
@Ilovethewild ex knows my address - so does she actually which she gleaned from opening mail that was inadvertently sent to hers. But yes, he was already blocked in as many ways as I could think. Emails now get sent to the trash and an auto-reply sent!
Thank you both - I just needed some reassurance Smile

OP posts:
Realitea · 26/11/2021 22:33

He has to have warned you clearly on two occasions that he wants you to stop harassing him. That hasn’t happened. Nothing will happen if he goes to the police over this one incident.

NigellaAwesome · 26/11/2021 23:05

This doesn't amount to harassment. It needs to be a course of conduct which leads to alarm or distress.

He's just threatening it to make you back off because you caught him out. He is not good news for you.

skyraider · 27/11/2021 01:52

@Realitea Apparently it's his wife who is talking to the police about harassment order. He's just telling me and suggesting i talk things over with him because he will be able to stop it and save me from it!! I'm not falling for that hahaha
@NigellaAwesome It's very definitely just a means to manipulate the situation and give him contact with me. It isn't going to happen. Taken me a very long time to realise he isn't good news for me.

Thanks to both of you for your input.
It helps sometimes to have other people cast their opinion who have no vested interest - friends are saying the same things as everyone here, but of course they'll say what they need to support me, and they know the effect this past year has had on my mental health.
Onwards and upwards Smile

OP posts:
Realitea · 27/11/2021 07:55

I wouldn’t worry at all. You could even speak to the police on 101 for reassurance. They wouldn’t take her seriously

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