Neighbours - Domestic Violence

redmini

Hey guys,

I know this isn't really a money related question, but I am not sure really where to go and I have always had helpful advice from people on this forum.

I moved into a flat about a month ago on my own. The couple upstairs have always been strange, from the moment I moved in. The man who I would say is 35+ is really seriously creepy (which isn't good as I am a single woman!) He has been in prison, had children taken off him and mentioned sleeping with everything he sees etc......

His girlfriend is equally strange, as she is clingy and socially awkward to talk to and will wait for me outside my apartment to come home so she can talk to me.

They always call for me after about 7pm to *chat* nearly EVERY DAY!!!! Which after the second time I pretend to be sleeping! They do not work and do not have any friends really, so have clung to me!!!!

Anyway, they argue all the time, like every day. But one night last week it got really serious. They played music untill 12am in the morning, whilst screaming and shouting. At about 1am, I started to hear crashing and smashing and what sounded loike someone being thrown around (hitting the floor).

Immeadiately this aroused my suspicion. It got worse, he started screaming at the top of his lungs and you could hear the hits this poor woman was taking. So, I phoned the police they came and spoke to me and I told them EVERYTHING.. They arrested him

Now, my tennency isn't up for another 5 months! I have to live there! I am really worried about their clingy tendencies, his violence and me living there alone. I am also worried about the fact they might find out it was me that phoned the police and make my life hell.

ANY advice would be greatly appreciated, as I feel scared in my own home.

P.S I have changed the locks as he let slip he had a key for the flat and would visit when he wanted to!!!!!!!¬!

Treevo

Sod the tenancy. Move out.

mrcow

Get a chain on the door too. And a baseball bat next to it.

Molly41

Move out asap!

MrsAnnie

Agreed!

To hell with the tenancy - find yourself somewhere else to live ASAP!
Even if it's a friends sofa!!

Person_one

Has the man been released? Is he living there again?

Move out. In the meantime get strong locks and tell the landlord what's happening.

pukkamum

Move out asap, we had a weird bloke move into the flat downstairs, he would knock on the door when I was alone asking for random things. I was convinced he was stealing our post. Our landlord said he couldn't throw him out without proof so he moved us to snother of his properties. Two weeks later the flat opposite his was broken into and all their stuff was found in his flat, along with stacks of our post and some very dodgy looking knives.
Talk to your landlord he or she may help.

Blackpool_Saver

I agree, get away from there

Richard53

He will probably be able to guess who 'shopped' him, and he sounds like the kind of person that wouldn't take that lightly. I would suggest good locks and a door chain at the minimum. Consider carrying a pepper spray or rape alarm, in case he wants a 'chat' when you come home unaccompanied, and repeat your concerns to the police.

I would advise against getting a baseball bat, which could be considered an offensive weapon by a court. A Maglite torch (the 4 or 5-cell variety) is just as useful, but a court would never question someone carrying a torch to investigate a noise at night. A baseball bat (unless you play regularly) could be considered evidence of premeditation.

Start looking for somewhere else tomorrow. I would say you have excellent grounds for terminating the tenancy early. You're in a horrible situation.

meritaten

yes - get out fast! contact your landlord and explain the situation. If he is a decent person he will relocate you straight away. If not you need to know now. but don't let it stop you from staying away from the place until you KNOW its safe to get your stuff out.

oh and for protection I am sure you must have a can of hairspray - aim for the mouth and eyes if close enough or just the face if you can. its perfectly reasonable to have a can of hairspray by the door if you are in the habit of fixing your hair before you go out!

Loz01

Move out NOW, try and get the Police to back you up, surely they can see what a horrific bloke he is :eek:

If thats not possible, a baseball bat by the door and a very good and heavy lock on the door.