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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

I am totally lost in all of this now.....please help

37 replies

howwrong · 26/04/2012 12:00

I have posted a few times about my hideous marriage. Various names because stbx comes on here and tries to find me.

So was with him for 15 years, 2 dcs. We separated a year ago because of his abuse (physical, sexual, financial, emotional) and things are just really really bad atm. I stupidly had tried to 'remain amicable' but over the last year he has continued to, well, I don't even know what words to describe what he has been like. I stupidly never called the police on him at the times of the assaults.

I have been standing up to him over the last few weeks and I think I have made everything worse. The only reason I have to see him is for the dc but he constantly pushes over boundaries that I try and set.

I'll try and give you some examples from the last couple of weeks. So, he dropped off the dc a few weeks ago and my eldest was hysterically crying. Apparently he had misbehaved and refused to apologise so stbx grabbed him by the arm called him a "fucking bastard" and slapped his legs. DS was so upset saying "he did not want to see that horrible man, I thought he was going to kill me" etc. stbx denied it all, saying ds had exaggerated, telling me I should stand by him on this bla bla. I think I had a thread about that incident somewhere.
Another thing that has happened after this was that I bought a dog - thought it would do the dc well to have a pet to love, but my eldest seems to have been affected on his chest getting asthma. So stbx has come into my house on many occasions, intimidating me about this "you have 2 weeks to get rid of the dog, you should never have bought it, you are abusing your son making him ill, you twat" in front of the children. They are both so in love with this dog that they are literally distraught at the thought of losing him. I've said I will get a kennel for the garden, introduce hand washing rules etc. and I have done this and his chest is much much better. This threat seems to have disappeared.

Because of him calling me names like twat and whore infront of the children, I asked him not to come into the house anymore, obviously he has refused. And just comes in. He did this on Friday and refused to leave, demanding that he gets some paperwork out of the cellar. I said whatever 'paperwork' he wants I will look for him and get to him ASAP. He grabbed me to move out of the way, but did think better of it on this occasion and so parked on the sofa and said it is my house, I will do what the fuck I like. I said you are being aggressive and intimidating and I would like you to leave. He refused and so I called the police. For the first time EVER. They didn't arrive for over half an hour while he sat in the house telling me he can do what he likes.......and then he left. Went to his car and with a smirk on his face said "oh here is the paperwork I was looking for". When the police arrived they just logged it and said because there was no assault there was nothing they could do.

On Monday, I asked for the child maintenance money to be paid into my account, instead of a joint account that I have never have access to - it has just been basically going in and paying the mortgage, which is another story entirely but we could feasibly be here all day. Long story short, he refused. So I went into the bank and got some statements on the account. He has run up a massive OD on this joint account, and has been constantly withdrawing cash from it ie. pay in child maintenance, draw half of it back out again. I put a freeze on the account. Which has INFURIATED him beyond belief.

So infuriated him in fact that he cut my mobile phone off (in his name that he refuses to change but I pay for - the number is a work one and advertised everywhere etc and I have had it 10 years) then I start getting calls on the landliine and emails: "Take the freeze off the account and I will put your phone back on". Long story short again, I said I won't respond to black mail and just get another phone tomorrow and he will be responsible for the contract. He put the phone back on.

But then he came round that evening and I opened the door, leaving my foot holding it at the bottom, and he basically forced his way in. Pushing the door so it nearly broke and then grabbed me and pushed me out of the way, nearly knocking a mirror off the wall.

He then proceeded to go on and on about the bank account and how dare I freeze it. I said I will not be responsible for even more debts he is running up, I have a right to freeeze it because it has my name on. He justifies it by saying that "I have always controlled that account, you have nothing to do with it".

But when he finally left after more threats of the police I get email after email telling me how disgusting my behaviour is, how I am clearly losing it, how he is scared for the children because of me. I emailed him to say please do not contact me anymore, you can pick the children up at x time and no need for any further contact.

So he emailed me with a threat about unfreezing the account by midday yesterday, I didn't and haven't heard anything more about that. But then he was back on about some paperwork he needs from the house and that he needs access, that is illegal for me not to let him in. He then said if I don't get back to him then he will get the police to accompany him into my house to retrieve the phantom paperwork ( I have looked, my mum has looked for him because he phoned her threatening the police).

But then last night he knocked on my door at 10pm, I put the chain over and answered, again going on about the paperwork. I repeated that I had already given him everything there is and there is no more, and tried to close the door....and he tried to stop me but I managed to close it. And he was shouting through the door that he was going to get the police to get him in.

So there we are. I am waiting for a call back from my solicitor _ I think I need a new one because I can never get hold of her. But I don't think I can cope with this level of harassment anymore, it has been going on for a year now. THese examples of the dog, the bank account, the paperwork.....they are the tip of the iceberg.....he always has something that he is going on to me about. I'm thinking of calling 101 and making a complaint about harassment but I also know he does currently have a legal right to enter the house......but his behaviour is so despicable I do not want him in here anymore - he causes distress to everyone.

If you got to here, thanks, I could have actually gone on more and more....but I am sure you get the jist.

What shall I do? I feel scared now him knocking on the door at 10pm and him forcing his way into the house.

OP posts:
mistlethrush · 26/04/2012 12:08

I have no experience, sorry, but from what I've read elsewhere, yes, you need to get an order to stop him harrasing you and you need to get an order to stop him attempting to enter the house.

I presume that you have all of the messages that he's sent you saved? I hope so as it sounds as though this will be very good evidence in support of your request.

I think that you need to start a diary specifying each and every time he makes contact with you.

Can you get something that will record that you can set recording if he turns up at your door again?

I would ring 101 and see if you can see a policeman (possibly woman by preference?) who regularly deals with domestic violence issues and see what they can suggest.

Womens Aid might also have some suggestions.

Well done for freezing the bank account!

CogitoErgoSometimes · 26/04/2012 12:27

I think you need to talk to the police urgently and complain every time you are subjected to more abusive behaviour. You also need to talk to CAB and/or a solicitor to get an exclusion order. Use your own account for everything and not the joint account. Get a new phone number... doesn't matter you've had it 10 years, your contacts will quickly learn the new one. Call his bluff on 'legal rights', don't make your children spend any more time with him and get a locksmith to beef up the security in your home.... maybe a spyhole or camera at the front-door so that you don't have to open it at all? He is simply trying to frighten you and, by the sound of it, succeeding with his aggressive and bizarre behaviour. Get the police ball rolling, keep the diary and report, report, report.

TimeForMeAndDD · 26/04/2012 12:34

I would instruct my solicitor to apply for a non molestation order, today!

dreamingbohemian · 26/04/2012 12:45

You need a better solicitor.

You need to call the police every time he is violent and aggressive.

You need to keep your children away from him. I mean, WTF?

It all sounds very chaotic and you need better protection for yourself and your children. It's good you are standing up to him but clearly you need to take more action or this will go on forever.

I'm sorry i don't have more specific advice, all I know is that people like him are usually only stopped by police, chance of jail, etc.

If you call the police when he assaults you or your children then he might very well go to jail and you won't have to deal with him anymore. So why not call them?

howwrong · 26/04/2012 13:08

I have just spoken to my solictor and I am going to call 101. Forcing his way into the house is an aggressive act etc.

And then I get a conciliatory email from him saying he just wants to sort everything out.............mind games I guess

It is totally chaotic I agree bohemian. I literally don't know my arse from my elbow atm and can't carry on like this much longer.

OP posts:
howwrong · 26/04/2012 13:11

So why the hell can't I just dial 101. His email has thrown be off course again.

OP posts:
Olympia2012 · 26/04/2012 13:18

Return all his belongings.... Paperwork included!

Arrange for him to come round for ALL of it, but have someone with you

Contact.... Should he be having this unsupervised? Look into contact centres, and at the very least you need third party handovers here.

Yes, keep a diary

And pay your own phone, you can move your number with you to a different contract

mistlethrush · 26/04/2012 13:25

The email was only because he realises that he's gone just that tiny bit too far to have you firmly under his control where he wants you. That email restablishes his hold over you. It says 'I'm the reasonable person here, it must all be in your head'.

Go back now and count the number of ranting messages you have from him on your phone and emails. Its one reasonsable one to how many awful ones?

Phone 101 now. Get some advice. Its not an 'urgent' police number, so you don't need to feel that you're wasting anyone's time. Pick up the phone and let us know when you've got through.

sugarice · 26/04/2012 13:27

What an absolute bastard, the kind of man who deserves having his bollocks chopped off, not taken to hospital for treatment and left to fester in agonyAngry. Sorry about that but that was my first thought. I agree with Cargo, get a spyhole and better security on the doors,also a camera would be provide evidence if he does kick off. Call the police over everything.

sugarice · 26/04/2012 13:29

*Cogito not Cargo, sorry.

dreamingbohemian · 26/04/2012 13:33

His email has thrown you off because you want to believe that things can be better. You don't want to feel like all this effort you have made has been for naught.

But I'm really sorry luv, it's all an illusion. Things will never get better unless you call the police, get more legal help, and put the fear of god into him.

You need to focus on dealing with your reality and your present -- not how you want things to be, not how things used to be, but how they actually are.

And the reality is that you are letting an abusive and evil man assault you and your children.

He is a liar. Don't believe a word he says. Believe his actions which are violent and cruel.

Call the police.

howwrong · 26/04/2012 16:16

I have called the police. They are coming round this evening. I am no idea what the hell I am going to say to them now. Feel a bit sick.

OP posts:
Olympia2012 · 26/04/2012 16:20

Say you need some support and advice with regard to keeping you and your family safe

solidgoldbrass · 26/04/2012 16:23

Tell them everything he has done. DO not give him any more chances, this man is your enemy and has assaulted the children as well. You will be able to get court orders barring him from the house and from contacting you in any way and if he disobeys them he will go to prison.
This man does not have superpowers and the law is on your side, not his, you do not have to obey him or take any notice of him at all. A man who has already repeatedly assaulted you and the DC is NEVER GOING TO CHANGE. He is pathetic and despicable, any niceness you ever saw in him was an act.

howwrong · 26/04/2012 16:37

He has done such a job on me, I totally doubt what I have seen with my own eyes.

I know he is the enemy. I just struggle to get why he hates me so much and just wants to destroy and hurt me so much.

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 26/04/2012 16:57

Why not print out this thread and use it as a prompt what to say? In stressful situations it helps to have a nice clear list to refer to and your opening post had everything down pretty well I thought. Try not to sidetrack too much from your story or be tempted to blame yourself or say things like 'he's a nice man really', just let the police have the plain, unvarnished truth of what's been going on. Let them advise you how to proceed and if they say 'do you want to press charges?' at any stage, reply 'yes'.

Put it this way... if he barged into anyone else's home, pushing them roughly out of the way, shouting abuse and smacking their children he would be carted off in a strait-jacket. He's a criminal.

izzyizin · 26/04/2012 17:19

All you need to do is read out your post to the police. You don't need to recite the responses too as it's all there in your OP.

This man is a controlling bully who has used violence to abuse you and at least one of your dc and it is high time you put a stop to his reign of terror.

Next time he kicks off outside or inside your home, don't bother calling 101 - dial 999.

As for the dog, keep the upstairs of your home dog free by means of a stairgate and let him/her sleep downstairs - if the poor thing is out in the garden in a kennel at night it won't be much of a deterrent if someone tries to break into the house through the front, will it?

howwrong · 26/04/2012 17:27

I'm terrified what will happen when the police get involved, whether it will make things worse Sad
He has such a hold on me I can see that, but I just don't seem to be able to step outside it. Its like I feel what he feels, can't explain it, but so many years of being on eggshells, I have to constantly guess what he might do.....and this one.,...,the police.....I can't help but think he'll lose it totally. I've really defied him now. So fair to say I'm shitting it right now.....that's if it is as bad as I feel it is Blush

The dog is in the downstairs most of the time and sleeps in a cage, only goes outside when teatime and at work Blush

OP posts:
dreamingbohemian · 26/04/2012 17:36

Well done. Don't be afraid, you are doing the right thing.

I think you should narrow down all your concerns to two points:

  1. He has assaulted one of your children, and subjected them to verbal and emotional abuse (is that right?) You need to find out how you can protect them from him.
  1. Because of this abusive behaviour you have asked him not to come in the house, but he has forced his way in anyway and been aggressive and verbally abusive to you. You need to find out how you can stop him from doing this because you are living in constant fear and he is a violent man.

You can also mention his emails and messages and other harrassing behaviour. But I think especially with the police, it would be good to focus on his violent behaviour toward you and your children. Explain that you have done everything you can do to try to be reasonable and protect yourself -- but clearly it's not enough, and now you need the protection of the law.

Have your post at hand, so that if you lose your thoughts you can show it to them.

Try to stay calm and focus on protecting you and your children. Let people help you.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 26/04/2012 17:37

If you really feel that you'd be in danger if he found out you'd gone to the police make that very, very clear to them when you talk to them. You know this man better than anyone so they will take you seriously.

dreamingbohemian · 26/04/2012 17:38

x-post

Be sure to tell the police that you are afraid this might set him off. They will tell you what to do in an emergency.

Can you put more locks and security on your house right away? Before anything more happens?

howwrong · 26/04/2012 18:41

I will thank you Smile

OP posts:
mistlethrush · 26/04/2012 18:43

Do you know when the police will be round to talk to you tonight HowWrong?

howwrong · 26/04/2012 18:52

I said for them to come after 7.30

OP posts:
JuliaScurr · 26/04/2012 18:57

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