Help with one of my customers

frogtastic_2

Hello,

This probably isn't the right place for this request, so please mods if need be, move it to where it should be!

I run a computer repair business. One of my repeat customers rang me to see if I would take a look at her computer as it was running slowly and had a virus. She also asked me to put a password on it to stop her ex-fiancee's business partner from using the computer when she was out. She said she was going away for a few days, so could I pick it up to work on, and then drop back when it was fixed. I said no problem, and we arranged for me to pick up the computer last monday at 7.30pm.

I turned up, but she wasn't in. I waited 15 mins, rang her mobile (which didn't ring - it just didn't work), and then rang her landline and left an answer machine message. I put my business card through the door with a message on it and went home.

Got a phone call at 6am the next day which got me out of bed. It was my customer apologising for missing the appointment, and told me she'd lost her mobile. I explained that I was out all day during the day so couldn't collect the laptop, but could in the evening. She said she was going away so could she drop it with her friend at the local pub. I said yes, and pick up the laptop as arranged from the pub in her village.

The computer did need work, I removed the viruses, installed a new anti-virus, gave it a spring clean and fixed a few other minor problems. Usual sort of job really.

On the Friday I tried to ring her to let her know the machine was fixed and arrange a drop off and to get paid. Her mobile was still out of action, and her landline just rang out. I tried a couple more times over the weekend, with no luck.

This is when it gets interesting. Yesterday I tried to ring her landline again on my way back from another job. A chap answered, called himself her partner, and told me my customer was in hospital. I said I hoped she was ok, and he said she'd been sectioned under the mental health act.

I said who I was, and he said "oh, so its you who has stolen my computer" and he wouldn't let me explain what had happened earlier in the week. He kept shouting and swearing and threatening me. He told me the police were looking for me and I was going to be arrested! He said if he saw me he'd hurt me, and if we met at his door when I dropped it off he "didn't know what he was going to do". I've never met the guy before, so there was no reason for him to speak to me like that!

I felt very threatened. He said her car and filofax had also been stolen, and that he was arrested six times last week, although didn't say why. He struck me as the sort of person to solve things using his fists. He said my customer would not be out of hospital until after Christmas and that he needed the laptop for his business. I told him I wasn't going to leave the laptop outside his house where it might get stolen or rained on. He asked me to leave it with a neighbour and hung up on me.

I was quite shaken up by the conversation (not in an aggressive line of work) and I wasn't sure I believed the guy and wondered if perhaps she was in a refuge or staying with a friend, and if she'd made sure I had the laptop, I ought to make sure I get it back to her.

I then rang the police who confirmed that the laptop hadn't been reported stolen. I told them about the conversation and the police lady put my customer's address through the computer and told me that she was concerned with that chap threatening me, and that I should keep hold of the laptop until my original customer called me to arrange to get it back. She said if the guy turned up at my house I should ring 999.

I was beginning to doubt whether she really was in hospital or just legged it from an abusive partner, or something. (She referred to him as her ex-fiancee). So this afternoon decided to ring her friend at the pub to find what was going on. He also said she'd been sectioned and knew her partner quite well and said I should drop the laptop off at the pub. I'm reluctant to do that because it's her laptop and I should give it back to her, not some stranger, and secondly there is a bill outstanding!

I have a partner and three young kids and the last thing I need is some moron banging on my door threatening me and my family.

My thoughts/questions:
- What does being sectioned actually mean? What legal rights does she lose, should the laptop go to her next of kin, while she is in hospital (assuming that she is).
- do you think I am right to keep hold of the laptop?
- any ideas what else i can do/how I should proceed?

Thanks

frogtastic

Browntoa

I'd tell him you've handed it into the police as it was reported stolen goods and that he can reclaim it with the original receipt and 2 other forms of ID ....... tell him you'll get back to him "when you get hold of the poiliceman dealing with the case"

or just tell him that its locked in yout secure storage ( not at home ) and if he can email an original receipt to you proving its not hers but his then you will return it if he signs a receipt ...

geordieracer

~If i were you i would keep hold of the computer as she hasnt paid for it yet so you can legally keep hold until payment has arrived. Also this is her computer so if you gave it to someone other then her you could let yourself in for a lot of trouble if she kicks up a fuss.
Sounds terrible a position to be in i hope you get things sorted.

Being sectioned isnt nice but they would do more then just keep her in for a month i would think if it was that bad,.Maybe she has gone to a refuge to keep out of her violent ex partner..

If i were you i wouldnt make any more contact and await to hear from her.

dmg24

What a horrid situation, for you and for the lady. I agree with Browntoa, although if he calls I would ask him for the name of the officer who is dealing with his (fictional) case, and say that you will contact the officer to arrange for them to collect the laptop. Alternatively you could ask for the name and contact number of her key worker, and let them know what has happened. They should be aware of the reality of her situation and his part in it, and be able to advise what is best to do.

maninthestreet

so the woman in question has been sectioned under the Mental Health act, but was 'compos mentis' enough to able to arrange repair of her laptop, and to accurately describe the problems that needed to be fixed??

dmg24

maninthestreet wrote: »

so the woman in question has been sectioned under the Mental Health act, but was 'compos mentis' enough to able to arrange repair of her laptop, and to accurately describe the problems that needed to be fixed??

Someone can be sectioned under the MHA and still be capable under the MCA.

frogtastic_2

Thank you for your replies - I'm going to keep hold of the laptop and see what happens. If necessary I'll go and see the police in person and give it to them. I just hope he doesn't turn up at my door.

She seemed absolutely fine when I spoke to her and told me what problems she was having with the machine. She wasn't in when I went to pick it up, and did ring me at 6am which I thought was a bit odd, but i've had customers ring me at midnight before, so it's not that unusual. And last time I went to her about 18 months ago, it was a straightforward job, with nothing out of the ordinary which is why I find this really bizarre.

So if I'm to contact her Keyworker, is that someone in the local authority adult services, or is that part of the health service?

I understand MHA (mental health act), but what is MCA?

Thanks everyone

frog

dmg24

The MCA is the Mental Capacity Act 2005, however if she is sectioned it is not so relevant (there are lots of overlaps between the Acts, bit of a messy area). Her key worker is the person at the hospital who is her point of contact for any concerns, to keep her in touch with what is going on etc.

Mental health crises are funny things - someone can apparently be functioning quite normally, and the next thing you know they are in hospital.