Poison pen letters

andygb

I have been the recipient of five malicious letters from one of my relatives over the past six years.
In most cases, poison pen letters are from an anonymous source, because the senders are not stupid enough to make false accusations about others, leaving themselves open to possible legal action. However, the person sending these letters often acts in haste and is deliberately callous, as well as being a habitual liar.
I have in the past week, found out that two other relations have also received what we now describe as "howlers" from this person. The result is that the person responsible for these letters (and also verbal communications where lies have been spread) has lost the friendship and trust of the three people concerned, and their families.
I have scanned all the letters which I have received, and so have the other recipients.
All the letters I received also had an element of blackmail in them, something which I ignored, because it was based on falsehood.
I want the letters to stop, and I want the person to stop telling lies to other relations about myself and my OH.
Bearing in mind the sender of these vile letters doesn't think they have done anything wrong, how do I go about this?

Pollycat

If you're getting less than one letter a year, is it really that hard to ignore it?

If it is, perhaps Google 'Malicious Communications Act 1988' and decide if a letter to the person concerned telling them that if they don't stop, you will hand the matter to the Police is appropriate.

Moogles44

A friend was getting messages like this on Facebook but it was from a person who could impact her life dramatically ( or she would have just blocked her and ignored it) . She took it to the police who have got it on record now and she may be done for harassment.

She sounds like she has a mental issue . I’d report it and just keep a record of it.

oystercatcher

I would completely ignore the letters and stop communicating with the person who sent them. If they happen to attend family events then I would ignore the person but not be outwardly rude.

Sounds like they are stirring for a reaction. Don't give them the pleasure of a reaction at all and hopefully they will lose interest.

TBagpuss

Ignoring the letters may be the simplest thing to do - the person sending them is probably hoping for a reaction and it sounds as though you and the other recipients have already cut ties with her.

However, if you don't wish to do that then another option would be to log them with the police as harassment, and ask for their advice. The police may well be able to give her a verbal warning (especially if several people report similar letters).

You could consider having a solicitor send her a warning letter, making clear that her actions are not acceptable and that you will take further action (including applying for a retaining order and/or reporting the letters to the police as harassment) if it continues. This may spook her into stopping, and if not, the fact that she has been explicitly warned may make it easier for the police to take action if she continues, or for a court to find against her if you do make an application for a restraining order. But, these things cost money and (at least in the short term) may make things worse not better.

tealady

Ever heard the expression "you cannt reason with an idiot".
Just ignore the letters

JayJay100

Interesting to note that a couple of people have assumed that this is a woman, even though the OP is very careful to remain gender-neutral.

Do you know why this is happening? Is it as a result of something that has happened years ago, and there's a driving factor, such as anger or bitterness behind it? A situation that needs to be sorted out and talked through? Does the person have a mental health issue that needs to be considered?

I did have something similar years ago, and actually met the person face-to-face to ask what the hell was going on. It turned out that he had hold of the wrong end of the stick, and I was able to tell him that in no uncertain terms. I was also able to end the friendship, on the basis that he'd been so vile: not another peep out of him after that.

pphillips

If the person sending the letters is a relative you can apply to the family court for non-molestation order using form FL401. There is no court fee to make this type of application.

McKneff

Can you not just send it back marked 'not at this address' or similarm

System

McKneff wrote: »

Can you not just send it back marked 'not at this address' or similarm

I would think you can just mark the envelope 'return to sender' (assuming the return address is written on the envelope?)

happyandcontented

I assume you having been ignoring them to date? If that hasn't worked then you may have to confront the person and tell them in no uncertain terms that these letters must stop. Is there/could there be an element of MH issues here or are they just a vindictive person?