It's unlikely I'll get caught out, as I double take when entering and exiting the car. Same when I leave the house. I'm quite aware and have always taken mental pictures when out with the family. Move a few paces, take a mental image, and repeat every 30 seconds or so. I've always done this and probably because it helps me keep track on where my wife and 4 kids are when walking through busy town centres. My eldest is fairly streetwise, but the others not so much. For them there is only so much you can do. One of my sons had his head stamped on during the intimidation and he was lucky not to have had his skull crushed. It came out of the blue and he walks through a dark unlit street to get to work. You can't hide away and I won't be intimidated, but I can't protect all of them all the time. In training we immediately reviewed what had happened and the type of attack that could have happened. His knife stance took me by surprise and it's not something you'd cover as an habitual act.
Not guilty if being at my door threatening me with a knife. Guilty ( a separate case) of witness intimidation.
Do you look for tells that someone is carrying? I appreciate you were relaxing at home, I'm wondering if it's something you include.
I don't and there was nothing I spotted on the day that gave anything away. Although he was facing left side forward it wasn't as though he was hiding something. Certainly something I should add to my training.
It is useful to do as a habit when you are out and about. I was at town today and spent some time just watching people as an exercise. Looking for anyone who is subconsciously checking that whatever they are carrying is still in place and what not. Pockets, hips, waist band, small of the back etc. Admittedly the silver hoard of OAPs got in the way a bit.
That absolutely awful. Awful that it came to your door and repeatedly to your family. I'm glad you have such a good support network to help you deal with it. On top of that you reacted well by your account and assessed what you could've done better. I think that's all you can ask and better than most would've done. Hope it goes better from here on.
Simon, that's awful! I'm just wondering though...do you really think he'd have used the knife if you had decided to step outside to deal with the situation? Or do you think it was all just intimidation and he was just trying to scare you? Either way good decision to slam the door. I probably wouldn't have been that wise. I can't believe he never got convicted
I'm sure a lot of that would have been decided by my actions. Have you heard of Betaris Box? I'm sure if I'd have gone outside and been confrontational he'd have used the knife. There are local stories of him putting people toes into a toaster to intimidate them. Luckily I don't scare too easily and those stories mean nothing to me. That said I don't want to be playing by his rules and if I'd stepped outside I'm already playing by his rules and he grows in confidence. By refusing he is forced to play his hand, which was to show the knife. His girlfriend / wife called to him from her position on the kerb (about 5 metres away) and he was on a loser from that point.
That's so true. I know a police officer and she said that 80+ percent of the crimes they deal with involve people with mental health problems...and such people are unfortunately volatile so anything could've happened and knife is not something I ever wana deal with. My tact in such situation would've been to tell him to let's be real men and get in the boxing ring to sort it out (like that would've worked!). Thanks for the info. on Betaris Box - will look further into it.
Sorry to hear you've gone through this. But also proud to hear how you seem to have handled it all and happy this has at least has a positive ending.
Im glad you're okay simon and that you handled things so well. I don't want to worry or pry, but has there been any discussion with the police of what will happen if (or more likely when) he returns to the area? Will you still be protected for that period?
How did the jury come to find him not guilty, given that he was arrested with a knife near your house? How on earth did they spin it to put doubt in the mind of the jury?
That thuggish young male that pulled a knife on you is deeply concerned about being looked down at by others with superior social status. Hindered by disadvantage and lack of opportunity, he's figured out the one way he might get you to respect him is through the threat of violence.
I believe he lives locally, so when I shut the door he'd probably have gone home and been arrested there. It's then a case of my word against his. Hope he's enjoying his porridge this morning.
I don't think that's the case. He wanted my family to drop charges relating to the case where my son was attacked. He may have a job in the city as a banker for all I know.
Really glad to hear you're safe Simon. That's an awful thing to happen to you. It's good to know the system works.
Home is sanctuary. To have this happen there is absolutely disturbing. I am glad that it turned out well in the end. I had similar incident when I was a teen. No knife or I would likely be dead now. A so called friend of mine sucker punched me when I opened the door. Today when ever I open the door I always keep the door between myself and whoever is there, then If I open it all the way I keep the width of the open door between myself and the visitor just to be sure. All the while my hand never leaves the door. Agian I am glad no one was hurt in this incident
Dunno about the laws regarding trained protection dogs in the UK, but I would most definitely look into getting one.. In the case of the individual coming to the front door, In the states, you can post signs stating no solicitors allowed or beware of dog that usually gives enough of a clearly defined probable cause for the individual to be charged for trespassing. Since he had a knife, it would be construed as terroristic threats with a deadly weapon which is a class 3 felony.. In the location where I live, that would be covered under the castle doctrine and would also be giving you the rights to protect yourself accordingly
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terroristic_threat#Texas I had never heard if this before, interesting. Does the law work well? Re : op, glad your safe man.
