What would you do

[irishdraft]

My friend was out for a ride round the lanes when she became aware of a pickup following her, she pulled in a couple of times but he stated had picked up something of hers, he followed her for over an hour she couldn't trot on because she had her elderly dog with her. She became so worried about this person she rang her brother who confronted this man about what he was doing again he said he had picked up something she had dropped which turned out to be horse poo, at this point her brother left but then this man said to her if he ever saw her riding past his farm again & the horse pooed he would f***king shoot her & her f***king dog. I think she should tell the police but she won't because she's found out he just bought this farm and has a terrible reputation for being a total bar***d. It's a very horsey area and has lots of rural lanes which this man's farm is on so not some private road or anything. To me he's intimidated and scared a woman on her own and then threatened her so should be reported but if course she's scared of possible repercussions & he knows where her horses are. So what would you do ??

 

[Identityincrisis]

Police, without a doubt! This needs nipped in the bud. Someone who owns firearms and threatens people with them needs their license revoked

And then a visit from a bigger, badder man

 

[Polos Mum]

Firstly I would suggest she buys a hat cam and wears it all the time.

I'd kick the A$^E of her brother who left her while she was still being bothered.

I would go in an speak to the police, say she'd like it recorded but not to have her name associated with it. Not because they can or will do anything about it for this one time. But if a pattern of behavior is there or if a pattern develops it might be the last piece of the jigsaw that they need.

He sounds like he was pretty wound up with her already, so not sure how she could make him worse than threatening to kill her.

 

[Lucky Snowball]

How awful for your friend. I think she should report it but totally get why she’s reluctant. I’d avoid riding past the farm even though that’s giving in to the bully.

 

[Lucky Snowball]

Good idea with the hat cam.

 

[AmyMay]

Police, obviously.

Why on earth did her brother leave her?

 

[Tarragon]

Appalling behaviour and very scary for your poor friend. Totally unacceptable.
I agree that she should at lease report it, as she is unlikely to be the only one and the police will need to see a record.

 

[PeterNatt]

This incident should be reported to the Police and insist that they provide an 'Incident Number' to ensure that it is recorded in to their system. This gentleman may suffer from some 'Mental Health Issues' so it is important that it is reported.

 

[splashgirl45]

I would report it and it wouldn’t be a bad idea for the police to check if he has got a license for guns and maybe do a spot check to make sure they are being kept properly

 

[mustardsmum]

Absolutely report this to the police. This is common assault - a physical assault does not have to take place - he threatened to shoot her, he intimidated her by following her and her brother was a witness to what he said. And all this was done on a public highway. If this person has a reputation for behaving like this, and holds a firearms license then the police need know and that license revoked. This absolutely is not ok. Brother needs a boot up his backside for leaving her with him - I would furious if my son left my daughter in a vulnerable situation like that. Even if the police do nothing this time, it will be go record so if everyone reports him, eventually something will be done.

 

[Trouper]

This totally irrational behaviour absolutely needs to be reported to the police. It is often how bad things start and, quite apart from anything else, no-one should be intimated from riding on public roads/bridleways. If there is a horse FB group in the area I would also be broadcasting this idiot far and wide.

 

[94lunagem]

Police 100%.

We have a specific rural crime unit round here, I would try and get hold of one of the rural officers if you have similar.

 

[ihatework]

That’s not normal behaviour and needs reporting.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Another who thinks this incident should be reported to the police and who wonders what on earth the brother was thinking of when he left her with this man. She definitely needs to get a hatcam. If she can hack in company, I would recommend that for a while.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Needs reporting for sure. The fact he has firearms, I’m sure the police will be interested. If she doesn’t report it and he turns out to be a lunatic (already sounds it!) if he does something she will regret not reporting it. 101 or online.

 

[irishdraft]

Thanks all, I do understand she's worried about repercussions as she's done some digging and found out he's a horrible man and is apparently blocking all the public footpaths on his farm but this needs reporting in my view, this is how bullies get away with it. Her adult children were all ready to pay a visit to this man but my friend didn't want them involved as they all live locally, she doesn't have a partner.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

After having something similar, but no where near as creepy, definitely go on line and log it with the police. They wont do anything unless you request it. I had to get a hat cam which was easier than trying to video with my phone and it was the hatcam footage that finally got the police to go round. You need to log all incidents just in case his behaviour escalates. He shouldn't be allowed to keep guns with behaviour like this, he sounds like a loose cannon.
Eta, if you can prove his behaviour, he will have his guns removed which might be a blessing.

 

[Squidge_94]

Friend of mine was out hacking locally. Farmer threatened to shoot him and his horse because the horse walked on the grass verge. Armed police were there within the hour, he was arrested and charged, all guns etc siezed, firearms license revoked. Farmer never bothered anyone else since that I've heard about. Tell her get it reported so its at least on file for her safety.
Can't stand nasty bullies like this!

 

[94lunagem]

I had to get a hat cam which was easier than trying to video with my phone and it was the hatcam footage that finally got the police to go round.

I agree having something that can be shown as evidence is helpful. I have a near-ish neighbour who can only be described as a horrible little man. Most of the time I don’t have to have anything to do with him but on an occasion that he phoned me from his daughters mobile (hence I answered) and with no exaggeration ranted at me for ten whole minutes including some unpleasant threats, I reported him. I had recorded the tirade and I have always suspected he was already known to the police because they were with me within an hour, had already looked up where he lived and, having listened to the call, went straight round and gave him a warning. All on a bank holiday Sunday.

They gave me an incident number, which I keep on a post it in my phone case. And assured me that if I ever felt in danger I should call 999. OP your friend should do the same.

 

[Annagain]

Police 100%. I'd have phoned 999 while he was following me.

I'd stop taking the dog on hacks - for his safety as much as for the ability to trot away (although if he's in a car, trotting won't achieve much) because there's little you can do to protect your dog if you're on your horse or have to keep hold of him as well as get to the dog.

I'd also give the brother hell. He should have stayed with her all the way home.

I read something the other day that said if you think you're being followed (generally, not on a horse) to get to a garage forecourt if you can and wait there for police because petrol stations have very obvious and high quality cctv cameras so very few people will attempt anything there. Not ideal if you're in the middle of nowhere, I know but I thought it was a very useful tip.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

I'm so sorry your friend had to put up with that. She basically received a death threat from someone who was showing very menacing behaviour. She needs to report this to the police. The repercussions to her or someone else could end up being a lot worse if he thinks he can get away with that kind of behaviour. she must be understandably worried, so perhaps she may want to invest in security and CCTV for her home and wherever her horses are kept, even though she shouldn't have to.
If she has a good relation with her other neighbours, she may also want to warn them. I can't imagine any of my own neighbours would take to kindly to that kind of behaviour and would probably make their feelings known.

ETA: If he ever does anything like that again, forget the brother, she should phone 999 directly.

 

[ElectricChampagne]

What a nightmare. 100% police. And the hat cam or body mounted cam is a very good idea.

The poop couldn't have bothered him that much if he was willing to pick it up and carry it in his vehicle while harassing a female.

I wonder would he have done that if it was a male?

 

[wills_91]

Report it. Not sure why you would consider not reporting this? Very unstable behaviour.

I would have called the police there and then

 

[McFluff]

Please help her report it to the police. For her, and for every other person who may end up ‘upsetting’ him. Especially if he does have firearms. Most police forces will not take any risks in this now, but they can’t act if people don’t speak up.
Hat cam and cctv would be wise purchases.
I’d also contact the council regarding the footpaths and the threats.
Hope she is ok.

 

[Cadbury]

A hat cam is the best idea but I think just as important is for her to wear a tabard that makes it obvious even from a distance that she is wearing one, with the aim of putting him off. If involving the police I’d say first get CCTV installed which covers the area where the horse is turned out and again, obvious signs to draw attention to the fact there is CCTV. Better safe than sorry, this man sounds unhinged.

 

[MagicMelon]

A hat cam is the best idea but I think just as important is for her to wear a tabard that makes it obvious even from a distance that she is wearing one, with the aim of putting him off. If involving the police I’d say first get CCTV installed which covers the area where the horse is turned out and again, obvious signs to draw attention to the fact there is CCTV. Better safe than sorry, this man sounds unhinged.

Agree with this. But I would also report to police, he properly threatened her and may well do this to other riders.

 

[saddlesore]

I’m utterly shocked at what happened to your friend OP. Beyond bullying and 100% needs reported to the police. These people need to know that they can’t get away with intimidating and threatening people- especially if they are known to behave like this and are therefore likely to repeat their behaviour if they believe there are no consequences.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

He threatenes to shoot her, report to the police as they can take his firearms off him for that. And then at least its logged. If more people report it it becomes a bigger issue for the police.

We have this hat cam, records front and back views

DC-1 Dual Lens Helmet Camera | Front and Rear View | Techalogic

The renowned, lightweight DC-1 dual lens helmet camera has a front and rear view and great battery life. Best for cycling, motorcycling, and horse riding.

techalogic.co.uk

 

[irishdraft]

I'm doing a ride with my friend on bank holiday Monday & am going to press her to report this and kit herself up with a hat cam.

 

[lynz88]

I can lend her my brother - he would scare the cr@p out of anyone....

But joking aside, defo police. I like the idea of a hat cam. Intimidation and death threat....surely the police have to take that seriously. She needs to do it not only for herself but also for anyone else this guy might attempt to threaten or, God forbid, "do" something to....