Can't sleep, ex-cocklodger turning up at 7a.m. says he wants some of his stuff back ... left here 11 months ago.

[chanceornochance]

Just that.

Woke at 4.30 with a start. Going over and over in my mind what he might do.

(Don't know how to link to my old thread when the power of mumsnet got me through the weeks when he finally left this time last year.)

He was an alcoholic, lived in my house way past his welcome, sent me message last night saying he'd be here at 7 a.m. to take some stuff he left behind when he moved out.

Like, no. I'm not giving him, e.g., a table he "agreed" I could keep. He took so much stuff I'd bought him and was a real nasty arse when he left, and in the lead up to leaving, threatening to dismantle things, dig plants out the garden etc.

Last night I just thought I'd say no, go away. Now I'm kind of scared. I don't want to see him, talk to him, listen to his threats.

My children, not his. He can't get in the house.

I'm sitting in the front garden so he can't even get to the front door. There is a gate. If he goes to open it, I will call the police.

If I were your friend I'd rather you were inside behind a locked door to be honest. You can shout at him to go away through a window.

Yes. Your children.

Given your other very disturbing thread and what he was like

i’d be calling the police to update them and to explain that you are alone with children (already traumatised from the past) . Today. Now in fact.

@chanceornochance I’m pretty sure this poster meant for you to be the on other side of the locked door than him.

Please get back inside the house.

Thank you everyone.

He turned up, obviously on his way to work, pulled up in the street. Got out. I shook my head. He drove off.

Gone.

Whew!

And I don't think he'll be back. He looked rubbish. (aka hungover)

In his messages last night he said he'd seek legal advice about getting his stuff back. Let him.

What a drama for nothing.

Thank you more than I can say for seeing me through the past hour.

Amazing! Well done.

Hugs OP.

Well done

I guess maybe he'd got what he really wanted, which was to disturb your sleep and get you out of the house so early. Glad he's gone but do think what you'll do if he messages the same thing tonight. If you have an address for him it might be worth having a solicitor write preemptively to say no further claims.

I am never up for appeasement, but what is he describing as his goods?

Would it be worth a solicitor's letter telling him to collect 'his' things by such a date, or you will consider them abandoned? (someone here probably knows the correct term)
It might rankle because he was a cock lodger and you deserve the things or were given them, but once this is sorted he has no reason to return or call you, and any contact can be reported as harrasment.

If he was clearly drunk last night and driving this am what about a report to |The Police for drunk driving?

I would too. Give the police the easy catch for a Monday morning.
Might piss him of but might save an accident where some innocent person gets hurt

Its been 11 months. I am a landlord, and the law, which I assume is the same is that if tenants leave stuff behind you have to store it safely for a set period (around a month) after which you can dispose of it. I can't remember whether you are supposed to give them any sale proceeds, but it is usually irrelevant as second hand furniture has little value and you usually have to pay people/charities to take it away.

So ignore any demands. He has not made any claim within a month so even if he could prove something was his, it is now yours to keep.

More importantly, stay safe.

Op sending you hugs. You have been awesome.

He looked rubbish. (aka hungover)
That's what I meant by seeing him with new eyes. He now holds less power over you, he's shrunk.

he said he'd seek legal advice about getting his stuff back
I'm pretty sure the law will laugh at him if he left over 11 months ago. Let him waste his money. What a loser.

I'm guessing he left straight away as he saw you were no longer intimidated by him.

Proud of you

Unless he’s left valuable antiques behind it’ll cost him more in legal costs than their value so probably an empty threat to make him feel big.
I’d still log it with 101, give them his address if you know it or where he works.

Thank you, this what I understood too (things you find yourself googling), but it's good to have it confirmed.

What exactly, apart from a table does he want back?
Glad to know you have the power of the “no” though. He didn’t want to mess with you OP!

Like a pp advised, call the police to log this and ask for their advice. Then if he does try this again, they will be already aware if you need to call them.
It sounds like he just wanted to ruin your sleep, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared.

Well done OP!

You did so well!! I’m so glad you’re safe.

Can you block his number? Would save you a lot of anxiety not to have to converse with this man after nearly a year.

If you think he will be back call 101 and explain that he left 11 months ago under a cloud, was threatening but left you alone until last night and today drive by your house to intimidate you and you are worried it may escalate. My experience of PCSO support in this situation is good and at the very least they can talk to him (and hopefully catch him drunk driving!!!)