Afraid of reprisals?

Question

We got our back door smashed by a gang of lads and my husband has identified one of them and this person has been charged.

i am scared because this person belongs to a big gang - they all attacked our house to get back at my son and i am afraid that they will come back.
I just wish my husband had said that he didnt recognise him because i know he will just get a wee fine and be let out to continue targeting us.
I want to help the police but we have to live here can my husband refuse to give a statement ?

Answer 1

1st let me start with saying i am so sorry that you are having a awful time
I have had trouble like you with a gang they gave us hell
and did till they got to smart and thought the cops wouldn't touch them
but they got locked up in the end
this is not easy to say because i no what you are going through
YOUR husband is doing the right thing
if you don't carry out the statement that gang are going to no you were to afraid AND will make your life even worse than it is now please believe me
you may think if you don't press charges the gang will walk away
it does no work like that
the gang will harass you even more
keep strong Hun please
i had great pleasure in watching the gang that harassed me and mine slowly
but surly go to prison through other things
please e mail me if you need a chat
respect and take care
shaz

Answer 2

Well, if he's not already given a statement, he doesn't have to. Although, I'd imagine if the lad has already been charged, your husband has already given a statement. If this is going to court, your husband can ask the Police to take a retraction statement, but now he's given one, he will probably still be summonsed to explain this change of mind.

At the end of the day, your husband has done the right thing, although it may make things more difficult for you if this other lad has no respect for the law. Don't back down... it's scum like this that has made our country what it is. Fight back, and hold your head up high knowing you've done the right thing.

Answer 3

I am so sorry for your trouble. I think that you should stick to your guns, and maybe talk to the rest of your neighbours and start a Neighbourhood watch programme. Make sure you get your local police involved as much as you can. If you stand up, and have some back up from neighbours and police, it might get better. If your son is young, make sure you don't let him go to school or back alone, and each of you should have a personal alarm. Ask you local police to give you advice on security for your home, and ask what they are willing to do to help with your protection. Really talk to them, and get in touch with the victims support. The police will have the number to get you in contact with them.
Make sure your concerns are listened to, and get restraining orders on all the people involved. If these individuals are doing the same to other families, maybe you have a case for getting asbo's on them. The other poster is quite right, you will have better protection if you stick with it. These people are already angry with you, so I doubt they will be very grateful if you don't make a statement.
I wish you good luck, and I hope all will be ok. Please feel free to e-mail me, as I feel quite worried now. x

Answer 4

He can refuse if he wants to - there's no way of making him. However the police have the power to prosecute without a statement from him if they have enough evidence to make the charge stick.

I know how you feel and the only advice I can give is that they'll get bored before long and making a stand can only be a good thing.

Answer 5

go through with a statement to the police.
get yourself a web cam with a built in mic, for your computer.
point it out the window.
and if they come back record it.
this will sort out the problem.
show the film footage to the police.
it will make good evidence.
don't let the thugs win.
your husband did the right thing.
if you back down,the police could charge you with wasting police time or obstruction of justice.

Answer 6

He can and many people do retract any staements made. This would be giving in and may not stop the harrassment. It could be seen, by this gang as a show of weakness and they may decide to exploit it.

Answer 7

He could do BUT then you definitely would be at their mercy - there is always a time to stand up to these people - you have reached it.