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False assault claim made about me

129 replies

i8gratedcheddar · 17/12/2025 23:23

Summary: accidentally hit husband in the face when he told me of infidelity and he’s reported me to the police.

I hope someone has some advice which might help. Last week I found out my husband and been having an affair with someone I’ve suspected for a while but he’s always denied. We were sat in the car in a car park when he also admitted during the marriage he’s had a few one night stands and used sex workers.
I was very angry and I admit I went to hit him across the face. He grabbed my wrists before I was able to and whilst shaking my fists and writhing to get free, I did ‘punch’ him in the mouth. I admit I had originally tried to hit him and only didn’t as he stopped me, but when I did catch him, it was because I’d been trying to get free not because I was still trying to hit him.
His lip bled as in it produced blood, but it wasn’t dripping down his face and it stopped almost immediately when he dabbed it with a tissue. We stayed there and talked/argued for a couple of hours before leaving. His lip didn’t start bleeding again but he said a few times as he looked in the mirror he wondered whether it needed stitches. I told him to stop over egging it and it was fine. He had facial hair so nothing was visible, literally not a trace of any injury whatsoever, and he didn’t show me what he claimed was wrong with it, like “Look at how bad it is.”

Sorry I’m rambling, but want to give all the details.

I asked him to leave when we got home and he went willingly. That evening our DC (unaware of any issue and thought he was still at work) wanted to call him. I made the call to say DC wanted to speak to him and he told me he was at A&E to get his lip checked. I said that was a dramatic reaction as it wasn’t that bad. He said he was pretty sure his lip was split so he wanted someone to check it. He didn’t need any treatment and left. Exchanged messages with me later on saying how sorry he was about the situation.

Turns out he told the A&E nurse I punched him. Said he felt safe at home but was going elsewhere anyway and didn’t need them to do anything further.
He then called the police to log the incident but just told them he wanted it logged but didn’t want it to go any further. They asked if he wanted them to come and talk to me, but he said no.

When he told me what he’d done he said he immediately regretted it, although his thought at the time was that he didn’t want me to have all this stuff on him about what he’d done so he wanted something on me and was scared I’d try and stop him seeing DC

He said he’s sorry he did that and will call the police he spoke with tomorrow and say he made it up, but said they might not be able to do anything now it’s logged. He also said he’s worried that he will get in trouble for wasting police time and potentially get sacked from work.

Firstly, WTF?!

Secondly can someone just call and say you’ve done something but they don’t want it to go any further, but the person accused never find out that’s been said about them? They’ve not contacted me and said they won’t because he didn’t want them to.
What will the police do with this information about me if he doesn’t call them to withdraw what he alleged? Or even if he does update them that he made it up, what will be held on file for me?
Is that going to be on some kind of record for me for any amount of time? Could that effect my job?

Is it likely he would get in trouble for wasting police time? Mostly I don’t care if he does but then losing his job when we’re just about to go through what looks to be a messy divorce wouldn’t be ideal… it’d be awful in fact.

Can I call the police and discuss the case myself with the crime number to check he’s said what he’s said he will? Husband said they probably won’t talk to me as it was him who made the call.

Our GP has been informed by A&E and want a phone call with him next week. He said he will probably cancel it.
He said he told a solicitor he’s contacted for advice, but won’t use that solicitor going forward.
He said he’s taken pictures but not shown anyone. He said A&E and the police didn’t take any pictures nor ask for any to be sent to them.

Thanks for reading if you made it to the end and TIA for any advice.

OP posts:
Motnight · 17/12/2025 23:26

I am assuming that you are a woman, Op.

Everything that you have written is minimising your violence. The relationship needs to end.

agathacrisps · 17/12/2025 23:32

Sounds like he is manipulating the situation as he knows he’s been badly caught out, but also reads like you did in fact punch him and cut his lip. You can wrap it up however you want but you tried to punch him and you did. The fact he’s a scum bag doesn’t give you the right to do that. The police will not speak to someone suspected of assault about what the ‘victim’ has done. You need to get a lawyer and proper advice on this situation but also the larger issue over custody and divorce etc. It’s a mess, and you know it is so no point in me saying you’ve fd up here. Get a lawyer.

Artificialhens · 17/12/2025 23:35

Say nothing to the Police.

Fantomfartflinger · 17/12/2025 23:35

You got the red mist, it was understandable in my opinion. Shock can cause this. It can happen to good people. I don’t think it would be in the public interest to prosecute as it was based on an isolated specific incident and you’ve presumably not done it before. Wait and see what happens before you get a lawyer. If they question you, get a duty lawyer and follow their advice. Hopefully you will be ok op, I think it won’t go anywhere. Sending hugs.

UxmalFan · 17/12/2025 23:40

What a horrible situation. You shouldn't have hit him, but you know that and have no plans to do it again. Just accept whatever comes your way; respectfully tell the police or any other official who contacts you that it was a one-off after the shock of his admitting the affairs, you are horrified at yourself and will take great care to keep away from DH in future. I don't it will go further, given that the injury was so minor.

JudgeBread · 17/12/2025 23:43

Fantomfartflinger · 17/12/2025 23:35

You got the red mist, it was understandable in my opinion. Shock can cause this. It can happen to good people. I don’t think it would be in the public interest to prosecute as it was based on an isolated specific incident and you’ve presumably not done it before. Wait and see what happens before you get a lawyer. If they question you, get a duty lawyer and follow their advice. Hopefully you will be ok op, I think it won’t go anywhere. Sending hugs.

Edited

"I was angry" or "red mist" or "well I've never done it before" are not defences or justifications for punching someone in the face.

Get proper legal advice OP, especially if you're now proceeding to divorce and custody arrangements.

Fantomfartflinger · 17/12/2025 23:48

JudgeBread · 17/12/2025 23:43

"I was angry" or "red mist" or "well I've never done it before" are not defences or justifications for punching someone in the face.

Get proper legal advice OP, especially if you're now proceeding to divorce and custody arrangements.

No the first 2 were not justifications, however there are circumstances were people are in shock. Having a clean record and a first allegation certainly is helpful to OPs case.

Octavia64 · 17/12/2025 23:50

It’s not a false claim op as you did actually hit him.

the police won’t discuss it with you.

i have been on the other side of this and it’s very unpleasant.

i8gratedcheddar · 17/12/2025 23:51

Thank you so the replies so far.

I did try to hit him through anger but didn’t make contact on the occasion I tried to. Bad I know that I even tried as it could’ve been worse. But when I did make contact with his face, that time it wasn’t my intention to do that, it was just to make him let go of my wrists. If I hadn’t have hit him when I did it by accident, I honestly can’t say whether I’d have tried it again as it was indeed red mist and I was also angry he’d had hold of my wrists. Once I’d seen what I’d unintentionally done though, I didn’t go for him again.

I won’t contact the police then and will tell the truth if they contact me. But what information will they hold on me and for how long if neither me or husband contact them?

What’s likely to happen (to him or me) if he contacts them and says he made it up?

Without trying to minimise my actions, I do feel like he is manipulating the situation and it feels very calculated that he went to A&E with such a minor injury.

No previous history of anything like this by the way and no criminal record of any kind.

OP posts:
MrsSkylerWhite · 17/12/2025 23:57

You hit him. That’s assault, end of.

bombastix · 17/12/2025 23:58

You want him to withdraw his complaint. That ends this. But I reckon he won’t. He’s going to keep it going for your divorce, and he’s told you that.

I would find yourself a good divorce solicitor and not trust a thing he said. And now you’ve hit him, you don’t want to be alone again with him either.

i8gratedcheddar · 18/12/2025 00:01

bombastix · 17/12/2025 23:58

You want him to withdraw his complaint. That ends this. But I reckon he won’t. He’s going to keep it going for your divorce, and he’s told you that.

I would find yourself a good divorce solicitor and not trust a thing he said. And now you’ve hit him, you don’t want to be alone again with him either.

If he was to just call and say “I want to withdraw my complaint” will that be it gone forever more?

I doubt we will be alone together anytime soon, but that initial anger has gone now so I know it wouldn’t happen again.

OP posts:
Muddlethroughmam · 18/12/2025 00:01

You assaulted him, Your emotions were completely justified, Assault is not. I'm sorry that your husband has betrayed you in the way that he has.
It's not a false claim is it? Imagine if the sexes were reversed here... Men being assaulted by their partners are so often shrugged off and not taken seriously, If he had assaulted you what would you do?

Fantomfartflinger · 18/12/2025 00:02

They will take info if they question you. You might be questioned under caution. Finger printed. They’ll allow the info to come off their records if nothing comes of it. They may not contact you at all. You’ll have to see. From what you’ve said I do not think it will be taken further. Worst case would be a
community order and unfortunately a criminal record for assault. I doubt it though. Please stay calm, it will be ok even though it is worrying you at this time of year as well. Come back with an update, rooting for you op.

Raineeee · 18/12/2025 00:02

If it goes further (hopefully not), although you didn't intend to cause the lip bleeding, you were using unlawful force. They don't need to prove that you intended to cause the specific injury. Sounds like there's enough evidence for an assault, or even ABH case if the victim wants to cope with the investigation and take it further.
Saying that, I do understand your anger. Get legal advice when you need to. And good luck

whoosit · 18/12/2025 00:06

Tell the police the truth about what happened. I've been assaulted multiple times by my ex and they did basically nothing about it. Not even a caution for him until it really escalated and even then it was no real action. Be honest and I'm sure you'll be sent off scot free. Then end your relationship before it gets any worse for all your sakes

i8gratedcheddar · 18/12/2025 00:07

Fantomfartflinger · 18/12/2025 00:02

They will take info if they question you. You might be questioned under caution. Finger printed. They’ll allow the info to come off their records if nothing comes of it. They may not contact you at all. You’ll have to see. From what you’ve said I do not think it will be taken further. Worst case would be a
community order and unfortunately a criminal record for assault. I doubt it though. Please stay calm, it will be ok even though it is worrying you at this time of year as well. Come back with an update, rooting for you op.

Edited

And if they don’t contact me as per husband’s apparent instructions when he first called, then what, do you know? Is the information just kind of deleted?

OP posts:
CrotchetyQuaver · 18/12/2025 00:08

I hate to say it but you could get in a lot of trouble over this, it's ABH isn't it? It depends on if the police/CPS decide to press charges or drop it on insufficient evidence. Even Then he could always hire no win no fee personal jury lawyers and sue you to kingdom come, you could lose your share of the house if you have it in legal fees etc and end up bankrupt.

he sounds a nasty piece of work as it is, but losing your shit with such people can work out very expensive...
say nothing more except to your lawyers if you need to and stop trying to justify what you did, people will judge you regardless - what's done is done, there's nothing you can do to change that. By the way I think your husband sounds like a total shit and I can understand why you lost control when he confirmed the extent of his betrayal after denying it for so long. But a lot of people will not be able to see past you hitting him.

I'd also say stop talking to your STBXH about it and what he may/may not do, he's using it to torture you with right now. You already know he's a liar so how can you trust a word he tells you anyway? I'm afraid you just need to wait and see what happens next.

bombastix · 18/12/2025 00:09

i8gratedcheddar · 18/12/2025 00:01

If he was to just call and say “I want to withdraw my complaint” will that be it gone forever more?

I doubt we will be alone together anytime soon, but that initial anger has gone now so I know it wouldn’t happen again.

No. They will send an officer to take a statement where your ex will have to say he doesn’t support any prosecution and wasn’t pressured into withdrawing.

Frankly because this is DV he’s stitched you up like a kipper as the police could press ahead without him.

Don’t trust this man. This report stays on the record and your record

Fantomfartflinger · 18/12/2025 00:11

i8gratedcheddar · 18/12/2025 00:07

And if they don’t contact me as per husband’s apparent instructions when he first called, then what, do you know? Is the information just kind of deleted?

In any meaningful way, yes it won’t exist. It is not completely erased because there has been a report.

You will not have been interviewed and so your point of view is not recorded.

whoosit · 18/12/2025 00:12

Domestic violence is prosecuted regardless of the victim's opinion. But they still won't do anything about it other than interview everyone and file it away

i8gratedcheddar · 18/12/2025 00:18

May be worth mentioning or may be considered irrelevant, but about 12 years ago my husband assaulted me for the first time and has never done it since. He was very drunk and hit me across the face hard, angrily pushed me around until I ended up on the ground, then kicked me. I didn’t retaliate and we went to sleep. The next day when we awoke he saw that I had a black eye and apologised, but claimed he didn’t remember what happened. Ever since that day he’s claimed he doesn’t remember what happened but believes what I told him happened. I never told a soul. We moved forward as though nothing had happened. He never did anything like that again.

I have never had any intention of reporting what happened all those years ago and have no evidence that it did, and I didn’t tell anyone.

I don’t want to get into a game of tit for tat, but I am pissed off he reported me for an accidental minor injury in a fit of justified rage (the rage was justified, not the throwing fists) when he did the above and I never said a word.

I know the relationship is clearly all kinds of messed up and that’s why it’s best that it’s ended. I hope that the separation can be as good as can be but unfortunately I’m not holding out much hope.

OP posts:
StephensLass1977 · 18/12/2025 00:18

Lots of outcomes, in my personal experience. Long ago I had to deal with a piece of shit like this. He assaulted me repeatedly, and on one occasion I lifted my hands to defend myself accidentally striking him, and ohhh there he went! Totally kicked off. He was loving it.

Police were round in minutes. Both of us questioned. Absolutely nothing could be proven but this went both ways, so the whole matter was dropped and I never heard a thing again.

Sadly for you, if you're divorcing and there are custody issues, he will use this gleefully against you. He's lying when he says he's going to drop everything. He's not. Get advice. You sound terrified and my heart goes out to you.

Octavia64 · 18/12/2025 00:22

i8gratedcheddar · 18/12/2025 00:01

If he was to just call and say “I want to withdraw my complaint” will that be it gone forever more?

I doubt we will be alone together anytime soon, but that initial anger has gone now so I know it wouldn’t happen again.

No.

it gets logged. The police have a computer system that holds data on people and this would definitely be kept, at least for a while.

many many dv victims withdraw their complaints when pressure is put on them so the police absolutely keep hold of this data.

i8gratedcheddar · 18/12/2025 00:23

Octavia64 · 18/12/2025 00:22

No.

it gets logged. The police have a computer system that holds data on people and this would definitely be kept, at least for a while.

many many dv victims withdraw their complaints when pressure is put on them so the police absolutely keep hold of this data.

Yes that’s what I was worried it would like. It won’t be happening again though.

OP posts: