Attacked on my way to Stockton Folk Club

Subject: RE: Attacked on my way to Stockton Folk Club
From: Penny S.
Date: 06 May 15 - 08:21 AM

Balance of probabilities - intruder or serious car accident, which is most likely of two rare occurrences in the area being driven through? I keep my doors locked.

Subject: RE: Attacked on my way to Stockton Folk Club
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 06 May 15 - 08:27 AM

if theres a job to done - get Chinese peasants. coal to be dug - get south american child labour.

The coal was from Australia.

Subject: RE: Attacked on my way to Stockton Folk Club
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 06 May 15 - 09:18 AM

"it's no comfort knowing that I'm safe from muggers if my rescuers can't drag me from the burning car."

Precisely how my neighbour died back in the 90s. The passers-by who tried to help were traumatised by the guy's screams as he burned to death.

I'll take my chances with the thieves, I value my life far more than my wallet or mobile phone.

Subject: RE: Attacked on my way to Stockton Folk Club
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 06 May 15 - 09:20 AM

"it's no comfort knowing that I'm safe from muggers if my rescuers can't drag me from the burning car."

Precisely how my neighbour died back in the 90s. The passers-by who tried to help were traumatised by the guy's screams as he burned to death.

I'll take my chances with the thieves, I value my life far more than my wallet or mobile phone.

Subject: RE: Attacked on my way to Stockton Folk Club
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 06 May 15 - 09:50 AM

give the tories a few more years, let them close a few more mental hospitals, create a few more low wage jobs that the illegal immigrants are fighting to get -generally a bit more like America. a few more pages of the cradle to grave promise torn up that were made to our parents for fighting the war.....



you'll be locking your car doors

Subject: RE: Attacked on my way to Stockton Folk Club
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 06 May 15 - 10:22 AM

Balance of probabilities - intruder or serious car accident

I don't think I know anybody personally who has be the victim of car-jacking. On the other hand, I know lots of people who have had car accidents - regrettably, some of them serious.

DC

Subject: RE: Attacked on my way to Stockton Folk Club
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 May 15 - 10:33 AM

Act assured: You know where you're going, you know what you're going top do, and you will be going to get it done.

Don't keep anything in your hands if you can avoid it. Be aware of your surroundings; look both ways when you get off a bus, out of a car, leave a building.

At night, a small metal flashlight (torch) shouldn't be any problem to carry: use it to "light your path" and if someone comes up to you you can flick the light beam across their eyes, disconcerting them, effectively ruining their night vision, and VERY temporarily blinding them...giving you time to leave the area. Of course, you leave the area immediately!

Screaming is also a good idea.

Locking car doors is a very good idea -- at least in the US, cars rarely burst into flames or explode when they hit something or fall off a cliff (unless you live in Hollywood). Unless there's a spark of some kind, gas (petrol) doesn't ignite even if it leaks from a cracked tank. And locking the doors can prevent you from being thrown out of a car during an accident.

Subject: RE: Attacked on my way to Stockton Folk Club
From: GUEST,Morris-ey
Date: 06 May 15 - 11:49 AM

re:locking car doors. Lock when not moving, unlock when moving (if you ars so afraid of the very rare crime (in the UK) of car jacking)- it is not difficult.

Being mugged is also rare. Self-defence classe are fine to build confidence but any good instructor will tell you that resorting to it is very much the last resort. Carrying "weapons" is also not a very good idea because, even if you are willing to assault in self-defence an attacker (and many are not or cannot) the chances are he/she will either be better armed or skilled or will take your weapon and beat the shit out of you with it.

Subject: RE: Attacked on my way to Stockton Folk Club
From: Jack Campin
Date: 06 May 15 - 12:01 PM

[locking your car from the inside]
it's no comfort knowing that I'm safe from muggers if my rescuers can't drag me from the burning car.
Precisely how my neighbour died back in the 90s. The passers-by who tried to help were traumatised by the guy's screams as he burned to death.

The car doesn't need to crash, either. There have been incidents of drivers having heart attacks in locked cars and being left to die because nobody could get them out in time.

Subject: RE: Attacked on my way to Stockton Folk Club
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 06 May 15 - 01:19 PM

"the chances are he/she will either be better armed or skilled
or will take your weapon and beat the shit out of you with it."


I only wear reasonably stylish steel toe cap safety boots when out & about...😉


[long time ago.. my dad gave me the benefit of his wisdom from RAF national service 'training'...

"Go straight for their knees and ankles son.. then leg it as fast as you can..."]

Subject: RE: Attacked on my way to Stockton Folk Club
From: GUEST,Linda
Date: 06 May 15 - 04:52 PM

Diane:

I am truly sorry you had to go through this terrible assault and crime against you. I can definitely relate as similar situation happened to me many years ago where I was living at in California.

I too had gotten off a bus about 7:30PM after work (winter time and so it was dark out at the time) I stopped into a grocery store right near the bus stop to pick up a some groceries and then began my walk home about 2 blocks. I got to my apt. building and walked to my apt which was on the 2nd floor. I had my keys already in my hand as I approached my front door (lived alone) Then I saw this guy walking along the balcony towards me. I didn't think too much about it as there were 24 apts. there although I knew most people who lived there I didn't know every person there. Also, people have friends & visitors come over so it didn't alarm me at first. (that I didn't recognize him.) This crime occurred at my apt. building (not on the street)
The guy came up to me ( I had not yet put my keys in my door lock) and said, "Do you know where such and such a person lives?"
The name he gave me did not sound familiar but I was very polite and told him that he could go to the manager's apt and maybe they could help him and told him what apt the manager was in.

Then all of a sudden he grabbed my purse, I had the grocery bag still in my other hand. He took off running with my purse and I started to scream. A few people opened their doors but the guy ran so fast and got away. Once I got into my apt. I called the police and they came out.
He was never caught ( I had not seen or noticed him before I got to my building) but one lady at the apts said he had gotten into a car in front of bldg. but she could not see the license plate and not sure even what kind of car it was and had taken off so fast He was never caught and I never had my purse/contents returned. So I had to call credit card companies, get a new I.D.s etc. It was truly a horrible experience. So I do know and understand what you went through.
I was not assaulted physically by the guy though. I am a small person, only about 5'1" so maybe the guy saw a "easy opportunity" when he robbed me.

A few weeks after this happened I read about a class in the newspaper that met on Saturdays for several weeks for victims of crimes. I went to that class on Saturday mornings and there were about 7 or 8 people who had also been victims (different type of crimes) A professional person conducted the class who helped victims of crimes. It was helpful. I don't recall who sponsored the class/maybe a local police dept. but not sure. It was a free class that met Saturday mornings for about 3 or 4 weeks.

Is there anyone who goes to the club who lives near you and could take you/bring you home? Perhaps if you offer to give them a little money towards their gas/petrol for driving you might help.

Have you looked into what it would cost for a taxi? Perhaps you could call the taxi company ahead of time to ask for an approximate price to drive from your home address to the address of the club. I realize that it might be expensive depending on the distance though so might not be an option for you.

Do the people who run the club or attendees know what happened to you?

Subject: RE: Attacked on my way to Stockton Folk Club
From: Mr Red
Date: 07 May 15 - 03:46 AM

Never drive with the doors unlocked

"This is not good advice."

About a month ago I approach a junction and wondered what a car was doing and nearer saw the driver rocking in an unusal way. As I got to the car several of us tried to ask the driver what was wrong. He was having a heart attack and had locked the doors. People started turning up trying to help, his work mate was trying to break a window with his elbow, a wheel spanner turned up to smash a window, doctor from the surgey nearby came. Quiet desperation. Fortunately he came round enough to understand the shouts and unlock the doors. We got in and laid him in the recovery position.
a shorter explanation would not show how awkward locking the doors can be. It shook me up, because we were all but helpless.

Lock the doors if you must, stationary - but not while driving.

Subject: RE: Attacked on my way to Stockton Folk Club
From: Northerner
Date: 07 May 15 - 11:01 AM

Further news. Person who attacked me goes to Magistrate's Court next week. She has been allowed out on bail but with restrictions. Not allowed to go into Stockton Town Centre and must stay indoors after 7 pm. At least the legal system has grasped that she is a threat to public safety...   Diane

Subject: RE: Attacked on my way to Stockton Folk Club
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 May 15 - 01:01 PM

people like that should be put in the stocks and humiliated

Subject: RE: Attacked on my way to Stockton Folk Club
From: Jack Campin
Date: 07 May 15 - 02:22 PM

An even nastier example than Mr Red's: a man alone in a car with the doors locked and a ferocious dog for added protection. When he had a heart attack, the emergency folks couldn't do a thing until the armed response unit got there to shoot the dog. By which time the driver was dead.

Subject: RE: Attacked on my way to Stockton Folk Club
From: GUEST,petehulme
Date: 10 Jun 15 - 08:09 AM

im very sad to read this.I have a car but occasionally leave it at hone so I can have a couple of pints.I have walked hone late at night but have been lucky.However a few times people have offered me lifts and now I an very direct and ask people if I know they are going my way.At firstvthis embarrassed me but ive decided id rather be embarassed than mugged!
This thing about not looking like a victim is nonsense.U once attended a meeting ib sgeltered housing wherevthe police gave that advice to a group of elderly men and women.How couldthey take that advice?Wear a Superman outftt?
The answer that springs to mind is that akl folj cluvs should encourage people to give lifts.We are a community abd werealways singing about injustice and suffering.Lets put our beliefs into practice.I would happily give anyone a lift even out of my way if I I knew it was savibg tgem a beating!

Subject: RE: Attacked on my way to Stockton Folk Club
From: Northerner
Date: 10 Jun 15 - 10:46 AM

Further news. My mugger was due to to go the court but didn't turn up - she did a runner! The police took out a warrant for her arrest and picked her up again. She has now been back to court and pleaded Guilty to a charge of Attempted Robbery. She returns to court later this month to be sentenced.

I do get lifts to folk clubs quite often, just not every time.

Diane

Subject: RE: Attacked on my way to Stockton Folk Club
From: GUEST,Gillie
Date: 11 Jun 15 - 06:20 AM

The best advice I was given when I moved to the Midlands and had to use public transport to get home going through Birmingham center was:-
walk confidently;don't put your hand in your pockets;don't meet someones glance;walk with a purpose, not slowly.

I was lucky in that I had already done a course in self defense and so was not too concerned for my safety - it gave me confidence. I did avoid walking through the then bull ring where tramps where drinking out of their brown paper bags, and walk around it!