Shocking story...hopefully justice is on its way!

[Quantock-cob]

Well Spyda, I too have experience of working with mental health issues particularly in young men, and attitudes like this, where people assume that anyone who does anything irrational must be caused by them having a mental health problem is offensive. People struggling with their mental health are often disadvantaged and discriminated against by people in the wider community. By assuming that someone who has committed a crime is mentally ill just adds to the general perception by the uneducated masses that anyone with a mental illness is capable of committing a crime of violence.

 

[Spyda]

Well Spyda, I too have experience of working with mental health issues particularly in young men, and attitudes like this, where people assume that anyone who does anything irrational must be caused by them having a mental health problem is offensive. People struggling with their mental health are often disadvantaged and discriminated against by people in the wider community. By assuming that someone who has committed a crime is mentally ill just adds to the general perception by the uneducated masses that anyone with a mental illness is capable of committing a crime of violence.

So you don't think that someone who behaves in an irrational and thoughtless manner might be behaving in such a way as a consequence of all-be-it mild mental health issues? Stress? Anxiety? Paranoia? Depression? I'd go as far as to say that the majority of occasional, odd, over the top, behaviours can be linked in one way or another to some form of long term or transient mental health issue. And no, I don't think the majority of the great unwashed think that anyone who's going through an episode of depression, stress or anxiety is going to turn into a violent criminal! That said, someone who hits the red-mist over a couple of young girls riding their ponies over a peice of land which isn't even his, is demonstrating a loss of rational behaviour and, therefore, his capacity for rational thought. IMO of course

 

[YorksG]

So you don't think that someone who behaves in an irrational and thoughtless manner might be behaving in such a way as a consequence of all-be-it mild mental health issues? Stress? Anxiety? Paranoia? Depression? I'd go as far as to say that the majority of occasional, odd, over the top, behaviours can be linked in one way or another to some form of long term or transient mental health issue. And no, I don't think the majority of the great unwashed think that anyone who's going through an episode of depression, stress or anxiety is going to turn into a violent criminal! That said, someone who hits the red-mist over a couple of young girls riding their ponies over a peice of land which isn't even his, is demonstrating a loss of rational behaviour and, therefore, his capacity for rational thought. IMO of course

What a shame people equate mental illness with an inability to control bad behaviour, it then allows people who behave badly to hide behind a possible label of illness. Some people behave badly, it is no indicator of mental ill health!

 

[Spyda]

What a shame people equate mental illness with an inability to control bad behaviour, it then allows people who behave badly to hide behind a possible label of illness. Some people behave badly, it is no indicator of mental ill health!

To clarify, I don't believe people with mental health issues are unable to control their behaviour but I do believe a lot of people who behave badly are suffering from some form of mental health issue at the time. I'm happy to agree to disagree with others views

 

[kc100]

She did have permission from the school - the school is in a semi-rural area with a lot of land and people ride horses on the land frequently, the girl in question did ask when she got her new pony if it was ok to ride on the land and the school said yes, there is no rules stopping anyone with horses riding on that land.

As for the photos - he wasnt taking pictures of her on the pony for evidence, they were close up pictures of the girl herself. Obviously she is clothed, and I'm no expert on the law, but to me it seems wrong that he would zoom in on this one particular child. He didnt photograph the other girl that was riding with her, they were close ups of this one girl in particular.

I think the whole issue will have started with this man being upset about people riding horses on the field behind his house, and it has got to the point where it upset him so much he took it one step too far and went after these girls despite it being the first time they rode on that field. Some people simply dont want to see horses out in public, I know some people have issues with them on the roads and on public land, so this guy is just one of those but has taken his anger way too far. The photos of the girl dont make sense though, this is a man with his own kids so why he would be taking close up pictures of her is beyond me.

 

[Magicmillbrook]

magicmillbrook - it is highly offensive of you to suggest that someone who behaves in this shocking manner obviously has a mental health problem

I work in enforcement and when people become obsessive and aggressive like the gentleman discussed, in 99% of cases there will be underlying mental health problems. Sometimes they will be short term problems caused by life changes such as redundancy, retirement or bereavement, and as such I and my colleagues work closely with mental health workers. Similarly we have to look to our own safety when working with unstable people. I have had my share of violent threats and have been held hostage (all carried out by people with mental health issues).

I am not trivializing mental health, I feel very strongly about speaking openly and plainly about it, and, like many people have had mental health issues affect loved ones. I am sorry if my comment causes 'you' offence but I don't retract it. If anything I feel annoyed and offended by your response.

 

[maisiemoo]

I dont think thats very fair...i have a 13 year old who would of been very scared and she is still a little girl...not all teeenagers are going on 40!
I honestly think this bloke needs looking at..he is obviously unhinged

This ..... my daughter is nearly 13 and would of been terrifed , i would probably of took a pitch fork to the idiot ,

 

[FairyLights]

I think this story is a troll alert.

 

[KellyJoArnold]

Horsesforever1, how exactly do you think that this could be a "troll alert"???

Just curious as to how you have come to that conclusion from very little information...