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Relationships

I caught DH snooping on me...

135 replies

39Suzy · 01/06/2020 20:49

Well, this is a long one so apologies in advance.

DH for 6 years, together for 22 (yup) years. One DC aged 1.

He is an emotional abuser - i know this. He criticises everything i do, and everyone i know. He belittles me, treats me like shit, then apologises when I eventually lose it. As soon as I flip (and sometimes it can be days and days of 'you didn't put the iron back straight' or constantly leaving a toilet seat up deliberately deciding that actually, I put too many kidney beans in the chilli rendering it inedible), he laughs, says I have an anger problem, and puts all the blame on me.

He has been violent in the past, twice trying to strangle me - the last time about 3 years ago, the police were called and he was interviewed (nothing happenedas i wouldn'tgive a statementbut I know it's on record). The previous time was after my hen do - he accused me of sleeping with a colleague 12 years my junior, saw a photo on Facebook, came home from work and literally launched me across the room and pinned me against the wall by my neck. I managed to get him off me and ran. Each time he has sworn not to do it again.

He had counselling previously which works wonders but he has refused /lied about going in the last few years. Apparently, 'he can't help it'.

He is constantly accusing me of cheating- even last week (I literally go as far as our local shop 100m away without him at the moment) and for years has checked my phone and even threatened needing a paternity test all the way through pregnancy. I have confronted him before and once or twice he has admitted it and apologised. The irony is is that the week before we got married (and days after he tried to strangle me), i had a letter saying that he had been seeing someone. To be honest,i know it was someone he works with and dismissed it as a fib,someone that was just jealous but there was always a tiny doubt which he swore blind he was completelyinnocent. He has, when we have argued, told me that he has slept with prostitutes. I have no idea whether to believe it or not. He says later he just says it to hurt me.

So like I mentioned, he has periodically (i think) checked my phone... little questions like 'did you speak to anyone today' or 'have you heard of x lately' has led me to believe he has been logging into my accounts on and off (maybe more on than off). My last phone i had missed several messages inexplicably, as if someone had already read them so i didn't see any notifications. He put it down to a glitch whenever i asked him outright if he had read them. So... new phone arrives a few weeks ago, i always leave it around the house locked when i am off pottering or chasing the one year old (despite the accusations that it is always in my hand ). Over the weekend i had an inkling he had looked at it (phone moved and not on the same screen i had locked it on) so I Googled to see if you can get an app... and guess what, you bloody can. So i downloaded the app, and waited.....

Five times in 24 hours the CF has been on my phone snooping at messages and even who I called (and trust me,it's a dull list). And each time this app captures what he looked at, how long he spent, and even his ugly mugshot. I can't message friends about it as he reads every single message.

As far as I am concerned, I already knew this relationship was over. He is a nightmare to live with and it's just not fair on my baby. But how do I confront him?

My instinct is to wait at least a week or so and let the evidence build up then email it him at work and ask him to print it off (alongside divorce for unreasonable behaviour advice). No,i would not see the look on his face when he realises he has been caught out but actually, i think it would be the best option as otherwise he will just explode (can't do thatat work, he is front line emergency services).

And also, i want this resolving as amicably as possible- previously when I have suggested splitting he has threatened to take everything, even my baby off me (and says he has video evidence of me losingmy temper which I dont believe). My father passed away recently and he knows I will have an inheritance which he is already spending, but equally it has also given me the finances to set up on my own away from him.

Can I organise a petition for divorce without him agreeing to it? Can I force him to sell the house? Both are things previously he said he would refuse to do.

No idea where to start with it all...

OP posts:
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SinglePringle · 01/06/2020 21:36

I would clear your history and browse in private OP. Please don’t confront him; he’s a dangerous man.

Please be careful (also, is he police?).

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Sparklfairy · 01/06/2020 21:37

This isn't a game OP. Stop thinking about 'winning' or getting one up on him. If he's strangled you already I have no doubt he will go further when he realises your intention to divorce and he'll lose out on the inheritance.

Get out. Now.

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39Suzy · 01/06/2020 21:37

@SinglePringle

I would clear your history and browse in private OP. Please don’t confront him; he’s a dangerous man.

Please be careful (also, is he police?).

No, but worked for the police previously for several years and now still works for emergency services.
OP posts:
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SylvanianFrenemies · 01/06/2020 21:38

Contact womens aid. Don't assume that he isn't checking everything. He may have a key logger. Good luck.

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SylvanianFrenemies · 01/06/2020 21:38

Please clear all cookies on all devices.

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SinglePringle · 01/06/2020 21:39

You need to tell Women’s Aid about his connection to them. They will have protocols in place - you won’t be the first woman who’s needed that extra level of support (sadly).

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sawollya · 01/06/2020 21:42

My x was like this. Relentless criticism and v high expectations. Get to safety. Get a new phone. Accept that you are starting again. You dont need his permission to divorce him.

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RandomMess · 01/06/2020 21:46

Have you any family and friends you could stay with for a few months whilst younger sorted? If so you go there and ASAP.

Then divorce before you inherit...

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Ilovelondon2020 · 01/06/2020 21:50

I found myself in a similar situation 15years ago.
I waited until he left for work the morning after another abusive incident.
I could tell it was on the verge off becoming life threatening.I was terrified believe me.
Once he had gone to work I phoned the police they arranged for me to go and make a statement straight away.
They brought me home , I got the locks changed and then went away for a few days.
In the meantime they went to his work place and arrested him.
He was released until the court case and he contacted everyone trying to find me.
But I had one friend he knew nothing about who was my guardian angel.

One I went home I got an Injunction with the help of womens aid. I actually presented it myself to the court I felt so empowered.
He stalked me for a year and I ignored everything even though someday I thought I couldn't go on.
He was found guilty in court !!

I never gave in or looked back as hard as it was.
You need to get out as soon as possible.
Be determined, never look back and show him you mean business because you are worth it . Take care xxxx

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39Suzy · 01/06/2020 21:50

@RandomMess

Have you any family and friends you could stay with for a few months whilst younger sorted? If so you go there and ASAP.

Then divorce before you inherit...

Not really, no family locally and no friends that have the space. That's fine though, I can rent privately by myself
OP posts:
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RandomMess · 01/06/2020 21:54

Can you go still with family whilst you sort a rental out? You can leave for abuse.

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Lilymossflower · 01/06/2020 21:54

Call women's aid

Begin recording the abuse on your phone sound recorder (but make sure he can't access it obvs)

Record with the police on 101

Most importantly :
Dont do any divorce stuff untill you and baby are safely away somewhere he can't get to, and you have your support from women's aid, friends etc, because the highest danger zone time for domestic abuse is when leaving them. So make plans to get safe asap then sort out other stuff later

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RedWine123 · 01/06/2020 22:08

@Ilovelondon2020 amazing! X

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OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 01/06/2020 22:10

Don’t assume he hasn’t installed spy cams. There’s wise heads on here-leave no trace. Tell wa and dv unit about his connections and threats. Stay strong op and stay safe.

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Ilovelondon2020 · 01/06/2020 22:36

@Redwine123 thank you it was hell but nothing is worse than going back xxx

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copycopypaste · 01/06/2020 22:48

First speak to a solicitor and plan how you are going to leave him. Once you know this, speak to the local police about the previous DV and ask their opinion on how to tell him about leaving etc. They will be on hand if he gets violent again.

You don't need an excuse to leave anyone, you do t have to prove to him he's being a wanker

As for your inheritance, don't give him a penny, if you spend it, he can't have 50% if it when you divorce.

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C0RA · 01/06/2020 22:55

Do what @ConcentricCircles said.

First speak to womens aid and a solicitor .

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Vodkacranberryplease · 01/06/2020 22:56

You need to divorce and reach a financial settlement BEFORE you inherit. Otherwise it becomes a marital asset. Even a trust won't protect you unless you set up the kind that cost thousands to do
vardags.com/law-guide/the-complete-guide-to-trusts-in-divorce

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PegasusReturns · 01/06/2020 23:10

An inheritance can be ring fenced and doesn’t automatically become an asset of the marriage, so don’t worry about the money.

Get yourself safe and protected first. Speak to WA and then a lawyer. Good luck.

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howlatthetrees · 01/06/2020 23:16

I’d get out as safely as possible

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marly11 · 01/06/2020 23:16

Do what @ConcentricCircles said. There is no value to confronting him and would be risky to you and your baby to do so. I do hope you manage to get out from this awful situation.

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Thesheerrelief · 01/06/2020 23:34

Do not confront him. If you are hoping that he will realise how awful he's been then it won't happen - he isn't going to be contrite. Your priority is getting you and DD out safely.

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SandyY2K · 02/06/2020 00:36

Don't confront. He's violent.

Your reason for divorce should simply be that you aren't happy in the marriage. If you mention the snooping he will just deny, beg, plead and promise.

If he pushes the point..a simple response is you both deserve to be in a relationship that makes you happy. Keep it neutral...no blame to him or you.

Aim for a civil coparenting relationship and tell him you want the best for your DC.

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REignbow · 02/06/2020 01:09

I agree with all PP, do not confront him.

Get your ducks in a row, bye a cheap phone and leave. It doesn’t matter, if your family are not local. They would rather you be safe than dead.

It also does not matter, if he has been a police officer. He certainly won’t be the last that is abusive.

Whilst you are organising yourself, please tell a friend what has been going on (abuse thrives on secrecy), and use their phone to call WA etc.

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Bluewater1 · 02/06/2020 01:27

Do not confront this man
He is dangerous
Get out safely as soon as possible
Even if family are far away you are allowed to travel to go there
Everything else can follow

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