blonde poker forum

I go to the local garage at lunchtime to pick up a newspaper and a spot of lunch. I park up outside the cash machine only to hear a huge revving noise coming from a vehicle coming onto the forecourt, turn around to see a white van embedded in the back of a car.The van had rammed the car.

The bloke got out of the car and started screaming at the woman, and then she said ''you could have killed OUR daughter in the back''

Knowing this what would you do - obviously it was a dispute between a couple or ex couple but having rammed a car with a young person this is a tricky situation

I would like your answers before I respond with what I did.

Let em get on with it.

F**k all - if i didnt see the actual incident then i wouldnt get involved, i'm not an eye witness so i couldnt report anything.

If they started fighting in the forecourt then i may call the police, if not just carry on as normal.

im guessing you approached the 1 you fancied and asked for thier phone number, pretty tactless id say.

Call the cops. The police are trained to deal with this kind of situation. It's better for everyone and may prevent someone getting seriously hurt. If the man is capable of driving a van fast enough to 'embed' it into a parked, occupied car then what else is he capable of?. 

i would have asked if the woman was ok, and if she needed help or wanted me to call the police.

Start on the crossword.

I'd price it up Man 8/11 Woman 5/4.

Sounds like the right thing to do

I would have called the cops, and hung around to see if he smacked her .... then I would have had to step in :)

Call the cops after I smacked them both silly.

So you could have a go?

what? to help him..lol

Put in a claim for post traumatic stress syndrome

"so I flew straight through her bedroom window, poppd a box of chocs on the dressing table, machine-gunned my telephone number into the wall, and then shot off and shagged her sister"

Waheeey!!!! am i right?

I would go over and tell the guy that he was out of order and asked him to calm down. If he didn't would stand in front of him and call the cops. If he wants to start with me then so be it, i would rather that than he takes it out on a mum and daughter (plus i would kick his arse   ;D )

Ok I will add a bit more -

After about 15 seconds it started getting alot more serious and I honestly thought he was gonna batter her. I briskly walked over and asked if she was ok.Now I am a big lad so can handle myself and thought that by going over it might calm the situation some what. He told me to F*** Off and he would have us both!!(meaning me and his partner I was guessing and not in a flushy homo way).

He then got back into the drivers side and reversed the car and then sat. It was pretty obvious he was gonna accelarate back into the car and probably me.

What do you do now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fantastic

Get the mother and daughter in the house, call the cops. Don't leave.

All you can do is move out of the way and ring police , sounds like a maniac willing to hurt anyone that gets in his way .

Start shouting in a very manly voice: Thunder, Thunder, ThunderCats HO!!!!!!!!!!   

Two mistakes here, first getting involved and secondly after getting involved not crashing the guy straight away! Now your well in the sh*t!

First Part: I wish I could say I would get involved, but I would only intervene if there was a high chance that I could take the dude in a fight. Given my dubious fighting abilities, it wouldn't be likely. It isn't very manly, but I rate my safety and life over that of some random female, chivalry be damned

Second Part: If all the criteria were met in the first part, Id have knocked him down by now, but seeing as you didn't, try and get inside a building somewhere, somehow, and make sure he knows that the cops are on the way

Stop the suspense, i wanna hear the whole of this story... i would have pulled out my gun which i conveniently placed in my jacket this morning incase something like this happened, and when he decided to drive at you i would have shot him. Then got a big sloppy kiss from her and lived happily ever after, amen.

I am a father now and have tried to pull my temper in so just hitting the guy straight away wasn't an option, plus the garage forecourt have 100's of camera's so I would have been bang to rights - just walking up to someone and knocking them out doesnt go down to well with the cops.

Once it got the point of him facing us in his van, I wasn't just gonna walk away as their was a young child in the back, and a woman in the front. What would have happened if i moved, he hits the car and kills both child and mother - i would never forgive myself.

What options did I have - I will let ya know what happened in a minute

if this really did happen, i would now have good grounds to have put him to kip!
and suffer the consequences.

police or no police you should have flattened him first! Plenty witnesses to corroborate your reasoning!

Be honest, he was a bit bigger than you thought and he kicked your a*** right?

No need to be ashamed, there was a fight at the ITB's football match last night... started on the pitch, then ended up one on one in the car park!! All over a game of football, whats the world coming to!?

The smart thing to do is to take the mother and kid into the garage and calm them down a bit, let the guy ram the car a few times..the cops will have to deal with that.

of course you could be completely forgiven for dragging him out of his car and beating the shit out of him...but you're right..that could get you into trouble these days....

mayb u cud stop actin like an idiot

Really? Critisising in text speak? Come on now ;)

my protocol button isnt working

Ziggy - Upto the point we have got too, how was I acting like an idiot - Please explain

How could I flatten him right at the start - he could argue he accidently crashed his car - and then I am seen on cctv running across the forecourt and knocking him out!!!!!!!!!

Ill let on a bit more - I managed to get him out of the car at which point he hit me with a spanner!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I now have a nice 4 inch gash on the top left of my forehead.

I have to say I don't regret my actions but I was arrested, as was he on the garage forecourt. I battered the guy terribly and am now facing losing my job, and getting a criminal record plus the possibility of something more serious. . I obviously stated my case regarding all that went on, and pleaded self defence for what I did, but it looks like I may be getting in alot of trouble. No one in my family has taken my side at all, and to be honest am feeling pretty shit.

This was last week so I have calmed down abit but I personally don't regret most of what I did, but feel that I haven't been supported by family and generally feel poo

Do you think they should support me or was I in the wrong for getting involved in the 1st place

What can I say?

You did the right thing pal. Not many knights in shining armour left these days, hopefully you will do the same thing the next time regardless of it all. ;kneelsucker;

Is he seriously injured or something? Is that why you are in big trouble?

M8, i think you did the right thing.

Couldn't agree more! I can understand that you family are probably cross that you have now gotten yourself into serious trouble, for a total stranger. But, it's a shame there are not more people in the world like yourself! yes, it could be thought of as foolhardy, but God knows what could have happened if you didn't step forward.

Our very own Blonde Hero!!


 ;tightend; ;tightend; ;tightend;

if you are going to get involved in what is an obviously volatile situation i suggest you take the initative and be pro active. your behaviour i feel would only antagonise an already irate and obviously violent guy.

im not condemning your motivation but your application

I agree...and I don't understand how your family can be ticked off at you. I am also a bit fed up with the cops going down hard on someone who actually did something good. If they really want people to care and have the guts to step in when someone's in trouble they definetly shouldn't be pressing charges. P.s. If I were your boss you'd have nothing to worry about.

From your version of events mate there is no way you are in any trouble. I doubt you will even be charged unless you continued to hit him after the threat to you safety was removed.

and yeah you have got to get involved really.

I think you need to expand upon this. As far as the police/CPS are concerned there is a difference between physically attacking someone who is an immediate threat to you and others and continuing to attack them after the immediate threat has passed out of rage/vengeance etc.

Morally I think you 100% did the right thing.

EDIT: However, considering there is legal process in place, it might be worth your while not posting any more about it on here, lest it be used in evidence against you (unlikely as though that might be).

Well you could have handled the situation better. Calling the cops then doing your best to get the woman, child and yourself out of the way would have been a better option. Your main goal should have been to avoid a violent confrontation. Your intentions however, initially at least, were honourable and this counts heavily in your favour.

Once he's hit you with the spanner you have every right to defend yourself using 'reasonable force'.
Reasonable force does not extend to giving him a kicking once he's in no position to defend himself or obviously surrendered.

Get a good lawyer.

Ziggy - being proactive when punching people people on a forecourt with 100 cameras isnt the greatest idea surely

Not seriously in my opinion mate.

He hit me with a spanner ffs - I  hit him 3 times with my fist's (no weapon), usually that might be a bloody nose at best for him -  He has a fractured cheekbone, and a broken jaw - just my luck - !!!!!!

Even the fact I was hit with a spanner, doesn't seem to wash with the police.

How i see it , you saved the lady from a possible a good beating Smithey , so sorry your in alot of trouble for defending the lady and child  ;hattip; to you  :)

Completely agree with Jane, there are too many people out there who would do  Js s**t about it and just walk off then read about the situation in the newspaper the week after

Have a word with RobertHM i'm sure he'll be able to help, this is his speciality

Well done for trying!! Even if it did have adverse effects

Remember not to be too hard on your family Smithy, for them you are their priority not a couple of strangers and all they can see is that you are in the sh*t because of them.
Also if things panned out the way you described I doubt very much that there is a jury or a judge that would give you a conviction for this.
 Keep your chin up.

If the worst comes to the worst maybe you can ask MikkyT if you can borrow his outfit with the arrows on it.

 :goodpost:

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing"

good luck mate

i would have insisted to the woman that removing themselves immediately would be a wise move and as you already suspect hes used his vehcile as a weapon you could have restrained him until the police arrivd

The police are duty bound to prosecute you mate you have been involved in an affray. It's not up to them to determine the rights and wrongs of your actions, be assured you won't get convicted for this.

It is difficult for anyone on here to either agree or disagree with your course of action as none of us were in the given situation. Reading about it and actually being there are two totally different things.
What is important is that you are comfortable in your own mind with the course of action you took. If you can look at yourself in the mirror and believe you did the correct thing, then that is what matters and not anyone else's opinions.
I wish you the best of luck.

having now reread the entire thread i still stand by my original statement

comeon be honest now...you'd also point and laugh ;)

                                                                   i wish i hadnt said anything now, what youve said rover is probably the best way to sum things up

Get your story straight regarding any verbal exchanges and your motivation for 'getting involved'. You then received a head injury while in fear for your life. It's not every day a tool hits you with a spanner.

GOOD LUCK and if the woman doesn't make a statement in your defense then she's LOW. (like she said herself, 'he could have killed the kid')

A mate of mine was charged after stopping a guy battering his missus, took the guy's baseball bat off him an lamped him with it. Long time waiting, and found she refused to be a witness, but all charges dropped.

The police are probably secretly sympathetic, but they have to hand the case over to the procurator (or whatever you get in England). You should be OK, but it's naturally worrying.

If it helps at all I hope I'd have the bottle to do the same.

would you act the same way again given the outcome of this, so far that is?

Fair play, you did exactly what I hope I would have done in the same situation.

Its not your fault that the law is an ass. If charged I would go for jury trial and see who gets convicted.

To all the critics, what is a guy supposed to do wait until somebody gets killed.

Wow thats a scary thought. What if the couple make up in the meantime and change their story?

then she deserves everything she gets next time.

Ok, but I was thinking more about smithy and whether it could affect the trouble he gets in.

                                                            WHAT?

I know it's a contentious issue BUT If someone beats the crap out of someone else in a relationship..and he/she then voluntarily (!) goes back to that person I have no sympathy for them if they get the crap beaten out of them again.

yeah but I guess there were more people hanging around and there's video footage aswell.

I have sympathy for people who go back, even strong people can have difficulty getting out of an abusive relationship.

But to let someone who tried to help you face the cops/courts because you keep your mouth shut is disgraceful.

If there is video footage and providing Smithy is telling us exactly how it was (no reason why he wouldn't), then there should be no serious problem I think.

Matt I respect your view, but if that was your wife and child in the car wouldnt you want someone to help

She has refused to make a statement full stop which is the problem, but obviously the cctv evidence is there which will help me i hope!!!!!!

p.s been trying to post this for 10 minutes - stop responding lol

Smithy posted as he's naturally anxious about what will happen and so wanted a sounding board. So opinions are exactly what's needed, if only for reassurance. The people who will be deciding the outcome of all this weren't there were they?

As I see it, most people think you'll be ok. That is to say, most people who've replied wouldn't dream of finding you guilty. For what it's worth, there aren't many times I'd trust the judgement of a jury over a judge but this is one so given the option I'd be going to jury trial but of course you'll be taking appropriate legal advice.

I say again. Good luck!

Should this be moved to the back of the hand analysis board?

Smithy, the people who decide whether to prosecute will have seen that before, it's almost in your favour. 3 punches to beat off someone attacking you with a spanner is hardly beyond the bounds of self defence.

agreed

Is 'White Van Man' being charged?

Made that post before reading whole thread, not really a jokey matter.

Mean to add at least, good luck Smithy.

If it was my child in the car then there wouldnt be anyone ramming it with a van as i would be driving.

being a pacafist i cannot comment on any of the actions you took as i have never found myself in a situation similar to yours - nor am i ever likely to.

Eh?

No woman deserves that, no matter what she's done.

Get some good legal representation, and go for the jury.
The Police will be on your side in their minds, they are just doing their job( crap I know and one of the reasons my friend is about to leave the Police force, all the bureaucratic bullshit).

What comes of it may depend on your past, if any, dealings with the police.
The woman not providing a statement is a major problem.

Even though you were acting with good intentions, you pulled him out of the vehicle. He may/prob will say that you threatened him and after grabbing him he hit you with the closest thing to him. He also has a broken jaw. I'm not trying to sound negative, this is how it will get put if it goes to court. They may well go for excessive force/violence.

Get your story straight and get hold of the cctv. What was said verbally will contrast to what is seen on cctv, and the narration given.

smithy.......i wouldnt let this worry you too much.the police are only doing their job , and i am sure everything will be O.K once all the facts have come out in the open..

i worked the doors for over 20 years and i have lost count of the number of times i was arrested due to a "customer" who had been evicted from premises , deciding to press charges for assault and/or unreasonable force. i was NEVER convicted of any offences,and on the rare occasion that it went to court , it was almost immediately thrown out.if somebody was hitting me with a spanner i would feel fully justified in hitting him 3 times in self preservation, and i am sure a court of law will take the same attitude.  our prosecution service is a much maligned service but IMHO in the majority of cases they come to the correct conclusion when presented with all the facts.

hope your family come round and see your side of the story. well done for stepping in and preventing what could have become a trajic event.

boo

What have you been charged with?

What did the CPS say?

Do you have any witness backing up your story?

Did anyone see him attack you with a spanner?

Did you stop hitting him when you or any other member of the public were under no more threat?

Do YOU think the force used by yourself was more than neccessary?

Do you have a good brief?

At all times were a suit and look smart in front of any police CPS or any hearing at any level of court. Apologise for your actions even though they were neccessary to defend yourself.

Do NOT apologise.

This can be taken as an admission of guilt.

Good Luck Smithy.

IMO it sounds the sorta case that won't make it to court.

Hope it all blows over soon, & things get back to normal for you.

Well i would be the 1 ramming them so probably not!

Many people have posted on this thread saying that Smithy is a knight in shining armour, this isn't the medieval times where people slap each other and challenge them to duels - this is modern day britain where people walk round with guns and knives and dont think before they use them.

Next time it might not be a spanner it could be a machete........

Next time it might not be the strangers wife and child who are the victims it will be Smithy's wife who is without a husband and Smithy's child who is without a father.....

This sums up the feeling that your family will be having towards you at the moment.

As for the guy if the situation was as clear as you have descriped the Garage staff at least should be able to give a good statement for you.

In terms of your job I'm not sure what rights they would have to sack you as a result of this.

so would you stand there and watch Matt........if so   shame on you.

Thats not a fair comment at all Booder.

I'm a total poof who's never been in a fight in my life, I would struggle to get involved on any physical level.

Some people don't have the skills/mindset necessary to 'get stuck in' or 'pacify' the situation and so would be best sutied to observing and providing the police with an accurate eye witness statement of a given scenario. Regardless of which action we'd take this shouldn't lead us to questionning the 'morality' of those who would take alternative action.

apologies for my previous post

You can not have a go at someone for not risking their own safety (and therefore perhaps the welfare of his own family) for a stranger, who may or may not have had several chances to prevent such an incident.

Secoondly Booder has worked the doors for 20 years and therefore physical confrontation is not an issue to him, Smithy says earlier on he is a big guy and can handle himself. Neither would be qualified to say they would act the same if they werent in their physical position. (I'm not saying that Matt is or isnt in either of these positions, I havent met him and the post is more of a general reason anyway)

Then there is the possiblity at losing jobs etc. Your whole lively hood and way of life could be on the cards here.

This is not an automatic call.

I agree.

However, the same understanding should work the other way but rarely does.

Those that do 'challenge' the 'villains' are labelled 'have a go heroes' or fools that have no concern for their own safety. Both notions are false IMO and all too often lead to person in question finding themself on the back foot with regard to the law and popular opinion.

I'd pass, hoping to get through the bubble and onto the final table. 9th would do me.

Shouldn't this be on the "Hand Analysis" board?

No this is the right board for this thread!

this comment and the other comment about her being 'low' if she did not testify in Smithy's favour are very ill-judged in my opinion.

This woman could well be in fear for her life if she does give evidence - it's going to a bloody hard decision for her and we shouldn't judge.  I've been in a similar situation myself where I was asked to act as a character witness for someone.  Had I done so, I would have literally been in fear for my life over the potential repercussions to my own safety and it was a very difficult decision that left me unable to sleep for days.  As it happened, the decision was taken out of my hands when it was decided I wasn't needed after all.

Putting myself in this woman's position, and bearing in mind that there are CCTV images all over the place, I would probably decide not to make a statment as well.  If that makes me low (and deserving of being beaten to death), so be it.

IMHO    this is not about how "hard " you are,  we've become a nation of bystanders..too many of us lack confidence in our ability to make basic moral judgments. we CAN make a difference.we CANNOT keep turning away when we see an injustice being carried out.  ask yourself .what would it take for YOU to intervene ?   i am sorry but i cannot and will not stand by and watch a woman getting beaten,or a pensioner being abused by yobs , or a child being bullied.  if the shoe was on the other foot and a member of your family was in peril , you would want somebody to step in and assist them.............wouldnt you ?

I think Smithy did the right thing here. If I were the one witnessing it I don't think I'd have the courage to confront anyone about it but I would call the police and hang around to make sure everything is ok.

I also agree with Claws reply. To someone in a 'normal' relationship it's easy for them to say "Press charges, provide the police with a statement and leave the guy for good" but it's not that simple.

Just read all of this thread, and looks to me like were in an awkward spot Smithy.

Can't criticise how you played it - looks like you tried to help someone in a vulnerable situation.
Hope it turns out ok for you.

Jak.

How is it not simple, i never understand this.

If you had ever been to a home for battered wives i think you would understand Flushy , tho obviously being a man you wouldnt get through the door .

I think we need to have a chat! you'll soon understand.

Actually, I don't think you could truly understand unless you have been in the situation yourself, or seen first hand how destructive that sort of a relationship can be. Think yourself lucky that you don't, and probably will never understand.

Good on you Smithy and I hope everything works out okay.

When I was 21/22 I worked in Spain and one night while walking home from work a guy tried to grab my handbag. There wasn't even much money in it but like a mug I clung onto it.

Next thing hes punched me to the ground and kicking the s**t out of me.

This happened right outside a burger bar and I could see all these people in there just watching.

Eventually he jumped in his car and drove off.

When the police arrived they asked why nobody had tried to help me and this big bloke said "We thought it was domestic"

I wish Smithy had been sat in that burger bar.

Gotta say I'd like to think I'd have the courage to intervene but until your there you never quite know. Did see a lad get a brick hurled at him at Leamington Spa one evening, fair clonked him on the head. A couple of his girlfriends were standing over his prostrate body wailing while a large ish gang of youths stood in the nearby park from where they'd thrown it.

Just approaching the situation at some pace, in the spirit I used to approach a fight in progress in a bar was enough to have the gang move on. Got me a lot of brownie points with my girl and a serious telling off too so I kinda identify with where your family are coming from smithy.

Brings to mind the case of my brother -exact details not needed but suffice to say one of our younger cousins - a girl - rang him to say a chap had caused her some problems (quite serious), he in a Sonny from the Godfather manner, was round there in fairly short order to dish out something of a pasting.

Upshot was attempted murder charge, downgraded eventually to a bodily harm conviction and 6 months inside. The guy he battered was very much 'known' to the police but no let off due to that.

It's a very unjust world in many ways - I would never advocate violence as a solution but man you gotta understand how these things happen.

Gotta say I'm getting reactionary in my dotage and the American model where a home invader can be met with any kind of brutality and you won't be charged is very attractive to me.

Anyway, good luck smithy, hope the matter all goes away

I think the police are pretty much duty bound to put you under suspicion initially, but based on your description of events I can't imagine you'll need Rumpole Of The Bailey to ensure justice is done.

Three swift punches seems perfectly proportionate against someone who has rammed a car, then whacked you on the head with a spanner.

It would be a different matter if you had decked him then continued to pummel him when you were no longer threatened.

Good luck!

i had an "incident" happen a couple of hours ago, not as bad as smithy's but i got involved too.

i was driving over to my dad's for tea about 6pm with my wife and kids when i noticed something in front of me, there was a lad in the gutter on the side of the road with another lad on him. the lad that was on the floor was with his girlfriend and she was screeming for somebody to stop and help them.

As it happens there were 2 lads giving this lad a bit of a going over nothing too serious but enough to upset this girl. I could see this happening about 100 yards away and there must of been about 8 cars in each direction go past and not stop.

I pulled the car over and got out, now like smithy I'm a big lad. Fortunately, my stopping and getting out the car was enough for these other lads to stop, but they had nicked his mobile phone,  got into a vehicle and left.

As it turns out these 2 lads knew the lad they were giving a hiding too. The lad and his girlfriend were grateful i stopped and helped them out, the police were called and took my name and address incase they need a statement.

I will wait and see what comes of this, hopefully nothing as i could do without giving statements and going to court as a witness.

I stopped the car without thinking too much and got out it wasn't until i got back in and drove off did i think what could've happened. The 2 lads could've had a pop at me and battered me. If they did pop me and i battered them i would be in the same boat as smithy.

Should i have stopped in the 1st place? i had my wife and 2 young kids in the car, i certainly wouldn't want them to see me hitting someone or getting hit myself. I think most people would say yes i should stop and that i did the right thing. I felt pleased that i stopped and stopped this lad getting a pasting. I also think that smithy did the right thing also.
Smithy posted his problem as what do i do now?? giving you time to think about the answer. He then posted now this happened what now?? again you had time to think, but how long did he have to think about what happens if this happens what happens if that happens, he did what he did in the heat of the moment.

Good luck smithy i hope all works out OK for you.

So when i am in Florida you are saying call before i knock?

Good post, great joke.

You should go pro ;)

Booder, my post wasn't about being 'hard'.

I would intervene but that's not because I'm Rambo. It's about how I see 'justice.

My intention was to point out that some people are for whatever reason going to confront the aggresor (even when they know they're outgunned as I've done - despite feeling VERY afraid).

Whether it's down to nature or nurture people react to these situations in different ways. I have friends who've left me to get BADLY injured but I don't think any less of them as friends because I think they're wired that way. The problem arises when the law presumes to treat us all the same and when people who do react as Smithy did are seen as the problem by wider society.

His actions are in no doubt to any prosecution. An apology is a no way an admission of guilt of any kind. An apology is simply an apology for your actions wether the action was right or wrong. We apologise for doint the right thing when someone is hurt and the law may of been broke.

IE. The action was deemed neccesary to defend his/herself but in coming about the action another person was hurt with intent.

?????? Rubbish....

I can't say I'd have done the same.  I might have approached the lady and made sure she was ok and tried to calm the situation down but other than that I'd just have called the police.  If it's in a garage, surely there are others about, people that work there must have seen things happen and surely one of them called the police - you can't miss a van running into the back of a car.

Trouble these days is that the law can easily defend people that are initially in the wrong if you do something outside the law - it's down to you all of a sudden and whilst your intentions are in good faith, it can so easily go horribly wrong.  I'm not one for getting into fights myself and would always try talking the situation down.  Also, you don't know what you are getting involved in.  Like Matt said, what happens if he pulls a knife out, or worse?

Saying that, you had good intentions Smithy, and I hope things work out for you.

my comment that the woman was 'low' if she didn't make a statement was due to her role in the situation.

Her conduct has in part led to the this series of events and is a totally different kettle of fish to being asked to make a statement about an offense you've witnessed that you had no part in bringing about.

That's why I say I'd have no respect for her if she didn't make a statement to do the right thing by the person who was the only one lookingsis out for the child she had in the back of the car.

The word in your comment is 'can', this does not mean they will. I have seen many cases that apologies go far more in favour than against. This is to the point were its about 90 - 10 in favour of going for rather than against.

Anyway your friendly and inexpensive solicitor will put you on the right track after looking at all the information,

But from me well done, the law is an ass. I would like someone to do that for any female member of my family with a baby in the car.

Cheers guys for all your views and comments.

In my opinion the only option was to get involved as my exact thoughts were''if that was my partner and daughter'' . If the same situation was happening to them and I wasn't there I would hope someone would help them.

Obviously it was all very spur of the moment stuff, and I am sorry in a way for his injuries but as I said to my missus 'what would you do if someone had hit you with a metal spanner''. She being a woman said ''Cry'' which kinda made me laugh but I just think it was a situation that if it hadn't been changed, could have been very very serious.

The garage staff were of very little help to be honest and at the time didn't want to get involved. There were 2 guys in bright yellow tops who I assumed worked for the Petrol Station on the forecourt when I pulled in, so in all fairness they must have seen things developing but didn't help in any way.

I was arrested at the scene but was taken to hospital to get my forehead stitched up - now I am not having a go at the police as I think they have a tough job - but does it really take 2 cars and 4 officers to come with me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now that is a joke

My missus kinda understands why I got involved, but obviously her main priorities are Lottie(my daughter) and Chocolate(sorry mean me) so was more concerned for my long term health than someone else's. I have always thought about others before my own safety, but do agree it only takes a quick flash of a blade for my daughter to be fatherless.

O/T - The only person who really stood up for me was my Great Aunty who I loved dearly and who I treated like my Grandmother- my real Nan died when I was young so she kinda took over that role.She had been ill for a while and although she had lost the use of her body properly, her mind was as sharp as it always was. When everyone was telling me off for getting involved, I went and saw her in Saffron Walden as she was in a hospice as she was very ill. I had to explain what happened as the cut on my forehead stands out like a sore thumb. I told her what had happened and what do you think she did!!!

She gave me a tenner and told me to get a good lawyer lolol - but also that she was proud of me as nowadays no one gets involved and I could have saved 2 lives!!!

I had a phone call on Saturday evening at 8pm to let me know she had passed away at 6.45pm.

Now I am a 6ft4'' Rugby player so think of myself as a man's man  - but I am not afraid to say I blubbered my little heart out.

Her funeral is a week today and I am dreading it.

So sorry to hear about your Great Aunty Smithey  :(

Sorry to hear about your loss.   Funerals are never nice but a good way to say goodbye to loved ones and remember them.

Sounds like your great aunty was a good woman . Sorry to hear of your loss

It is a shame and I am gutted, but the only thing guaranteed in life is death- so in older people it can never totally unexpected!!!

sorry to hear about your loss smithy and i hope it all works out for you.

As above

Sorry to hear about the loss of your Great Aunty Smithy

Sophie xx

Yeah sorry to hear that fella..... Nothng worse than getting kicked when your down..

I was dozing on the couch and I heard a story on Granada Reports ( North West ) about a car deliberately driving into another car, the car had a baby in it. Is this the case that was on the news? Anyone know?

I couldnt wake up and come around quick enough to figure it out, and when i asked the wife she said I wasnt dreaming it but she wasn't paying attention

Hi guys

Thought I would give you an update. Had to visit the Police Station on Saturday to be informed that the nice gentlemen who had the altercation with wants to proceed with pressing charges against me.

As a further kick in the teeth they confirmed that his partner has refused to issue a statement in my defence. They didn't mention the cctv quality which slightly worries me, but that will all come out in due course I suppose.

Looks like I am off to court, which I think may cost me my job (but that is another story).

Rumour has it is the guy is well known where I work for being a Junkie,criminal etc - so the past won't help him - but then again I don't know anymore- am so unhappy with the situation - but will lsay I don't regret a thing - I would do it again!!!!!!!

I was happy to let it end, and for him to drop his charges and I would drop mine- but he isn't willing.

Pissed off, annoyed and pretty disgusted with life at the mo.

Sorry for ranting

Rant away Smithy. That's shocking, eventually the decision on whether the case goes ahead will not be his, or the police but the PF (or English equivalent). Hopefully they'll throw it out.

Fingers crossed for you.

Fingers crossed here too mate.. All the best

Get a good brief, and get plenty of character witness statements from people who know you personally.

Fingers crossed for you mate...

PS. perhaps get the local press involved, they love a "have a go hero" story, and public opinion could be your friend.

Sorry to hear that Smithy.

If he is the type you describe, he will probably be after the compensation rather than anything to do with the pursuit of justice.

I'd still be amazed if any conviction came out of it. No doubt your lawyer will be wanting to have a view of the CCTV as soon as possible, not to mention getting a full run down on the background of your assailant.

I think Rod is correct that ultimately the file goes to the Crown Office and they make a decision on whether to proceed. So just because he wants to press charges doesn't mean it will go ahead.

Don't lose sight of the fact you were doing a good turn, and he whacked you first. With that in mind, I presume the police are going to also pursue him for assaulting you, and well as a reckless driving charge for ramming the other car.

Not sure what i would have done but good luck to you

You're a good man, you know you did the right thing.

In the worst case scenario, if you lose your job, get a fine/custodial sentence, and your family fall out with you and the maniac gets let off.

If all those bad things were to happen, I'm sure you'd still prefer it than standing blithly by and watching a man use his car as a weapon to permanently injure a woman and child.

Have you asked the police to investigate his assualt on your good self with a weopon and intent to cause GBH?

This will help your case, seriously, becasue this will then prove you were defending yourself and dissarming an assailaint.

BTW is this the case that was on Granada Reports the other day?

Should have put that in the earlier post really- sorry.

He has been charged with the assault, 2 driving offences - plus he was driving with no insurance or tax.

I am starting to feel abit better about it, and am not so down on myself - as with all this stuff going on in Ipswich if someone was attacking my missus, and everyone stood by and did nothing I would give my left arm for someone to get involved. I have decided I would rather get involved, than stand by and do nothing.

It may come back and bite me in the ass , but I did it for the right reasons and I am not ashamed.

Goodluck Smithey  :) :)

Smithy, first time I've read this thread and I hope it all goes well for you.  As far as I'm concerned you're a top bloke and deserve a bloody medal. 

Forget the woman and her lack of statement, remember the kid in the car who is completely innocent in all of this (as the woman probably is as well, I don't know the facts).  If you hadn't intervened, that child's life could have been very much at risk.

The police and the courts have to go through the legal process, this is to protect you as well.  There's no way of short-cutting the system as its there to establish the truth.  I assume you already have, but get the best legal advice possible.  It's worth it.

Another thing, and it might be worth talking to your lawyer about, is this thread.  I know of cases where people have been prosecuted for speeding offences based on what they've written on a forum.  This is obviously a completely different matter, and I don't think you've written anything wrong, but it's like when you are read your rights - anything you say can be used as evidence against you in court.  If your lawyer advises you to, it might be worth getting this thread deleted.

Best of luck with it, and I think Suzanne's post earlier sums up what many people will think.  If it was happening to my wife or other member of my family, I'd want you around.

I will ask my wife tonight (Lawyer) how to get out of this and PM what she says. I am sure there must be something you can do.

Suffolk is a horrible place at the moment!

With all the stuff going on just down the road from me in Ipswich. My Mums a Police Inspector, shes working 24/7. I just get a phone call from my ex-girlfriend who lives just outside of Ipswich that she was walking home from work this morning and someone tried to force themselves upon her. So sick, just makes me savage, want to jump in the car, drive down there and mame someone badly.

I know how you feel Smithy! Suffolk Police ain't too bad though mate. Everything should happen fairly.

Bump any news on this smithy?

Re bump
I am sure there are plenty of us who hope this worked out the right way

Hi guys,

Sorry i didnt post earlier.

I have had all charges against me dropped, and the little scrot that i had the altercation with is currently on bail after hitting a copper in a fight.; So thankfully all is grand .

This has brought another scenario up today whichj responses would be appreciated. Some of you prob have read I had a car crash today.Was pretty serious and had to be cut out of my car by the emergency services. I didnt pass out so remember pretty much what happened. When I hit the central reservation I was sat facing the opposite way(i.e the oncoming traffic.
 
People actually drove around me after witnessing the crash.

Now if I had seen an accident happen, I would be the first one to stop and to call emergency services, and to make sure they were ok, regardless if I was late for work etc etc.]

Am I the only one that thinks these people are shits!!!!!!!!

Sad fact of life, people do just drive on.  If it were an accident like this, I'd obviously stop, in fact we stopped at a motorway smash up not that long ago to help.  People don't stop because it can mean a lot of inconvenience for them later on with making statements and following it all up etc etc - mainly happens with normal car accidents, no one wants to be a witness.

But if there was someone stopped already, there can be too many people on the scene and they get in the way of the emergency services.

Did the guy that cut you up stop?

no mate

no one was close enough to give a description of the vehicle, and all i can remember is that it was a silver van.The smalle electrician type van. I asked about cameras, but their are none set up on the roundabout.

So basically nothing can be done according to the police.

Don't wind yourself up too much about the van driver getting away with it, or the people who failed to stop.

Just be thanking the poker gods yer still alive, it's a minor miracle.

i agree tank wholeheartedly

Thank god my little one, and lisa were not in the car

smithy
im hoping life gets better after these last couple of months. youve had a hard time of it alright. keep your head down now and maybe the spring will bring you some better fortunes. i was sorry to hear about your aunt. keep going and youll get through it all and drive safe :)

Keep going mate, im sure the coin flips are going to go your way soon enough.

Glad to hear the charges were dropped common sense prevails.

On the subject of people not stopping a friend of mine used to commute to work by cycling along 5 miles of busy dual carriageway every morning/evening. One evening in rush hour a lorry came past him with a loose strap which hooked his handlebars accelerated him rapidly and luckily through him into the verge as opposed to under the lorry/into the road.
The lorry never stopped possibly never realised what happened but nor did anyone else for about 5 minutes, eventually an off duty firemen(always on duty?) stopped and loaded my mate his broken bike and broken arm into his car and to casualty.
Again it's amazing noone stopped, there must have been loads of witnesses as this dual carriageway is the main link between 2 big towns.

You hear of stings being set up to rob some good samaritan driver of their vehicle and all their belongings.

It might not always be that the non-stoppers are callous monsters with no sense of civil responsiblity, they might just be paranoid.

or just lack moral fibre.

Maybe it was raining though.