Good Samaritan??

missile

Last Christmas, we spotted a burglar trying car doors in our street and phoned the police. They came very quickly and apprehended him. They came and took statements and told us he is "well known" to the police. We were asked if we could identify him and if we were prepared to go to court. We got a summons from the procurator fiscal. We were shocked at the tone, "you are summoned to appear ..... if you do not appear a warrant will be issued for your arrest ....." No please / thankyou etc. Only then did we realise that we would have to cancel our holiday to attend and the accused would be given our name and address :eek:

Thankfully he pled guilty and we did not have to attend. :j

Our neighbours had all their christmas presents hidden from their kids in the car. They did not even thanks us :mad:

If the same happens this year, I am not sure if I would be the good samaritan.

barvid

Sadly, a lot of people aren't as willing as you were to appear in court, and I guess the 'one size fits all' letter may not have had the right tone for you. But well done for doing the right thing!

voiceofreason

Have you given them your feedback on this? They can't change what they don't know's wrong......

rsykes2000

Are you sure they would be given your name and address ? That seems utterly wrong.

MickMun

missile wrote: »

If the same happens this year, I am not sure if I would be the good samaritan.

You sound awful bitter because of not getting a thank you? Surely that warm fuzzy feeling inside should be enough!

CHR15

I've thanked you on their behalf

missile

barvid, thanks for your kind words

voiceofreason, no I have not

rsykes, Ofcourse everyone is innocent until proven guilty and I was advised anyone charged of a crime has the right to know who the witnesses are and what they have said. Defence solicitors would need that info so that they could take a precongnition statement.

MickMum, I am not bitter. Perhaps a bit naive. I will know what to expect next time.

CHR15, that made me laugh

chickaroonee

I think that's really sad that your neighbours didn't say thanks, are you sure they knew it was you that called the police?

missile

chickaroonee wrote: »

I think that's really sad that your neighbours didn't say thanks, are you sure they knew it was you that called the police?

That is a good point, but it is a small close. If it were me, I would have made a point of finding out who had.

Apparently, I should be greatful for that "warm fuzzy feeling" knowing their kids christmas was not ruined.:rolleyes:

chickaroonee

I think I would too, but you never know, the police might have said we can't tell you..

I'd be tempted to bring it up in conversation with them but that's just me!

missile

I must say the police were very efficient. First a motorcycle then a panda and he was taken away in a van. The police visited every house. As you can imagine that was quite an event in what is normally a quite street.

I was a little disappointed at the time. It is not really that important and to bring it up now would be petty.

I now understand why people do not wish to get involved when they witness an incident.