Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

Something's not right here...

271 replies

Onedaysoon · 30/05/2007 10:27

I've had lots and lots of problems with H in the past; we split up for a while due to his controlling ways and general nastiness. He wore me down though and eventually I moved back in with the children.
He promised to make an effort, but to be honest nothing really changed, although he did tone down the abuse.
BUT...lately he's been spending an enormous amount of time and money on his mobile phone and is very secretive about it. For reasons I won't go into I have had suspicions about him for a while, so have been checking his phone (don't jump on me for that...I do have very good reasons for it), and discovered text messages from his mobile phone provider saying he was a VIP chat member. He is also topping his phone up EVERY night, by at least £10 per night, sometimes £20 per night, so is spending on average £70 per week - however we are in dire financial straits. He tops it up at 11.30 pm one night, 1.15 am another night...
I found another SIM card which he carries around with him and put it in my phone, and there were messages on there from presumably a woman, things like 'thanks, you're not bad yourself', and 'yes sorry but I'm up now and have to get ready for work'...nothing overtly flirtatious but still odd, not least because they are on a 'secret' SIM. he also has another mobile which he said he no longer uses, however he does becase he keeps that one in his car, it's always charged and he also tops that one up regularly.
We sleep separately so he can be on his phone all night; however, if I get up to go to the loo for instance I can guarantee that he will be on his phone but when I ask what he's doing he says he's playing games. I may well have believed him but for the fact that he has VIP membership to a chat room, and he's spending 10 - 20 pounds a night.
Now he's taken to keeping his phone on silent. The other morning I came down to find him asleep on the settee where he had had his phone on charge and fallen asleep in such a position that he could reach the phone whilst charging!
He's also always trying to get me and the kids out of the house; asking me to go to the shops for him, or 'do you want to go and get some fresh air for ten minutes' etc (I decline, and it was whilst I was away for the weekend a few weeks ago that he got these messages on his other phone...I said at the time that he was trying to push me into going away for that weekend!
Last night a message came through on his phone; it was on silent but the static on the pc gave it away...he said it was o2 saying his phone had been topped up, and that he had done it on his way home. However, I am with o2 also and whenever I top up the confirmation comes through immediately.
Sorry it's so long, but doesn't this all sound very suspect or am I being paranoid?
I can't confront him as the fallout of me 'snooping' on him would be catastrophic (there has been abuse in the past), and the marriage is over but I need concrete proof that he is messing about as, when I have asked him for a divorce in the past he has said that it's all my fault, or the kids' fault and has managed to make me feel that I am going mad!

OP posts:
ChipButty · 30/05/2007 11:27

Get legal advice quickly. He doesn't deserve you.

Onedaysoon · 30/05/2007 11:28

And last night I had a glimpse of what life could be like if I was single. A long time ago I had the police remove him from the house, and I was outside last night when a police car pulled up, and it was one of the police men who attended. He remembered everything about us, right down to the fact that we slept separately!!! He asked after the children, and was genuinely interested and concerned. And that was such a nice (but such an alien) feeling! We chatted for ages outside, and I kept thinking 'if only...'.

OP posts:
ChipButty · 30/05/2007 11:31

It sounds as if you will have good support around you in RL as well as on Mumsnet. Good luck.

BabiesEverywhere · 30/05/2007 11:36

What about contacting the nice policeman and ask his advice on the best way to get your H out of your life, safely ?

The fact that he isolates you, shows that he knows his behaviour is wrong.

I would contact your mum and have a chat about your situation. You never know, she might be helpful once she knows that you are leaving him.

Especially if she is told how bad things have got between you ?

BTW isn't it a good thing that his debts are in his name and not yours ?

Onedaysoon · 30/05/2007 11:40

babies everywhere...God yes, it's great that his debts are in his name! But...now I know how bad things are financially and also how much he's still spending, it's just adding to the worry IYSWIM.
My Mum...not really any help. Last time I told her I was leaving him she told me being alone isn't all it's cracked up to be!

OP posts:
Onedaysoon · 30/05/2007 11:42

And i did think about contacting the policeman and discussing things with him but I don't remember his name so not sure how I would go about it?

OP posts:
VioletBaudelaire · 30/05/2007 11:42

onedaysoon, do you want to tell us where you are located so we could try and rummage around for some support that you may have not come across yet?
don't be specific, just give us the general area.

BabiesEverywhere · 30/05/2007 11:43

she told me being alone isn't all it's cracked up to be!

Hmmm, not very helpful is she ?

It is better to be happy and safe on your own(with kids) than to be with the wrong person and why your mum can not see that I have no idea ?

Onedaysoon · 30/05/2007 11:43

My point about talking to him last night was that it felt so weird talking to someone who is devoid of sarcasm, and who showed genuine interest in me and the children. I guess it highlighted what's missing (oh no...am I developing a crush on him? LOL) but seriously, he was normal, and nice and made me realise what an artificial life I lead.

OP posts:
Onedaysoon · 30/05/2007 11:45

Violet...I'm on the East Coast

OP posts:
BabiesEverywhere · 30/05/2007 11:46

You can ring/visit the local police station and ask who was on patrol in that area on that day and track the policeman down that way.

I'm sure if you explain to the duty officer that you have a complex home life and you need advice and hope that person (who already knows the situation) could help, I'm sure that they'll try and help you.

Or if you can;t find the same bloke, I'm sure someone else at the station could give you relevent advice and contact details for local groups etc.

Onedaysoon · 30/05/2007 11:49

Ok, I forgot to mention...last week he had a vasectomy. Now, call me stupid, but we don't sleep together. At all. Haven't done for ages. So why the snip?

OP posts:
Onedaysoon · 30/05/2007 11:50

God I sound pathetic!

OP posts:
BabiesEverywhere · 30/05/2007 11:51

So why the snip?

Did you not ask him why ? Or would that of caused too much problems in the home ?

BabiesEverywhere · 30/05/2007 11:51

So why the snip?

Did you not ask him why ? Or would that of caused too much problems in the home ?

BabiesEverywhere · 30/05/2007 11:52

Sorry about the double post

Onedaysoon · 30/05/2007 11:55

babieseverywhere...it's not something he really discussed with me to be honest. Although I'd like another baby, I definately don't want another with him as I would be even more tied. He says the reason we don't have sex is that he's scared of getting me pregnant...but he refuses to wear a condom. But this has been going on for a long time now. I told him the other day that I never asked him to get it done (he was complaining about pain) and he said 'well I had enough of you whining about not wanting to be sterilised'! Which I never. But the fact remains that we don't have sex so why the snip?

OP posts:
Onedaysoon · 30/05/2007 11:56

Believe me...we don't discuss anything. I just get told I'm boring when I try.

OP posts:
BabiesEverywhere · 30/05/2007 12:00
Sad
Kerri28 · 30/05/2007 12:01

onedaysoon, was browsing site when saw your posts, hope you dont think i'm interfering i am a solicitor who used to practice family law (now practice crime) at the moment you would be entitled to legal aid because you have no income (legal aid is going soon and you'd have to pay, so be quick when finding a solicitor!) and so representation would be free (with conditions but these can be explained by your lawyer, or me if you want more info - but a bit dull - sorry) you can get whats called an occupation order giving you the right to remain in the house whilst he is evicted either permenently or for a short period. if you lose and you are evicted then the council class you as unitentionally homeless and with children you'd be prioritised and given somewhere to stay as a matter of urgency. this would be in area of childrens schooling etc...i couldn't guess how it would sort itself out but you DO have options, if he is physically abusive you can also get an order keeping him away from you and the children until things have settled down, and this is all without starting divorce proceedings (although you can start those too if you want)

felt that i had to let you know that there are definitely things you can do to sort out this awful situation, i feel so bad for you and wish i could offer more help.

if i were you i'd contact your local police station domestic violence representative (they are used to emotional abuse cases) and they will support you (which helps in court massively) and will also tell you the name of a good legal aid solicitor. i know because my dh is just that person !

so keep your chin up and let me know if i can help you any more. ((((((_))))))))

tiredemma · 30/05/2007 12:02

Good advice from kerri28

Onedaysoon · 30/05/2007 12:06

Hi Kerri...I need all the help and advice I can get! I did see a solicitor who applied for legal aid but I was then told I had been turned down for it. Can't see how as I have no income and he pays me nothing at all! I don't have savings either.
He's not physically abusive either. just emotionally.
The police are great, I have to admit, as were women's aid (I spent time in a refuge some time ago) but when it came to practical help I just couldn't seem to get any!

OP posts:
Onedaysoon · 30/05/2007 12:09

Writing all this down is being terribly cathartic, as when I just think about things I think maybe I am imagining it, or he isn't as bad as I make out, but when I read back what I have put, even intespersed (sp) with his nice moments it's all still completely unacceptable isn't it? It's not just a matter of taking the rough with the smooth.

OP posts:
Kerri28 · 30/05/2007 12:10

i can't imagine you'd be turned down for legal aid if you have no income, no savings and dont own your house. to me it sounds like you had a "bad" solicitor experience. there ARE people out there who will and can help you, if you want them to. the domestic violence unit will put you in tyouch with a solicitor who will properly explain to you your options and also legal aid (better than i could!). Good luck, i will think about you until you have got things sorted out whichever way you choose to do it, let me know if i can help anymore.

Onedaysoon · 30/05/2007 12:12

Thanks kerri, I do appreciate it. Yes I do think I chose a 'bad' solicitor. But I think that, coupled with the constant wearing me down from HIM, was just one thing too much and I ran out of strength.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread