Chased by Crazy Neighbour with a Garden Fork

I had posted this earlier… https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/576664

My worst fear came true…

Today morning, my wife while reversing out, bumped into the rear of this neighbour's car. Not much damage to either car, but I contacted my insurance and they said they will take care of any repair to either car, I will be required to pay access, which is fine by me. I informed the neighbour this morning about it as well.

This evening I got a call from a repairer to which my neighbour went, and I told the repairer that I have comprehensive insurance and my insurance company will take care of the damage to his car. He asked for a claim number, which I provided.

Later in the evening, I saw the neighbour and told him that my insurance company is dealing with this and I also requested him to not park the car in order for us to reverse out easily. After that the neighbour went ballistic. Opened the boot of his car and took out a garden fork while shouting obscenities. Took a swing at me, but I was lucky enough and ran fast enough to escape.

Went to the police station afterwards and was advised to file a personal safety intervention order. I have emailed the magistrates court to find out about the process for doing so.

Meanwhile, I am concerned about the safety of myself and my family.

Any advise on how to deal with this situation?

Diagram

Comments

  • +6

    Bikies, MS Paint diagram of pitchfork and alleged trajectory.

    Am I doing this right?

    • +3

      Bikies… I am not interested.
      MS Paint diagram… I am a linux user.

      • +6

        gimp diagram?

        • +4

          That I can do.

    • +8

      Chase the neighbour with a lawn mower.

  • There has to be enough room for you to safely access your driveway, no car should impede over any driveway or access lane at anytime…

    Why is his car on the road & not in his property?

    • +4

      Why is his car on the road & not in his property?

      That's what I can't comprehend… Even council agrees that it is illegal what he is doing and have given him an infringement notice last time. He still does it.

  • +1

    Later in the evening, I saw the neighbour and told him that my insurance company is dealing with this and I also requested him to not park the car in order for us to reverse out easily.

    Yeah, I would love a 3rd-hand rundown of how that 'conversation' went. Not from your POV, or his.

    • +1

      Unfortunately, the only evidence is stored in one of the multiple security cameras he has in his property. I don't mind him sharing it on a public forum as I know how the conversation went.

      • Firstly, it is agreed that your neighbour is breaking local laws by blocking their own driveway. Imagine if there is a fire truck or an ambulance which needed access to the property, they would be hampered from doing their job. There is no doubt your neighbour is a complete a$$hole for continuing to break the law.

        I am going to play devil's advocate and ask you what would you do if there was no driveway there, and cars were parked there legally. You would have to take care to maneuver your vehicle carefully out of your own driveway, right?

        So, you cannot really blame him for the accident. He probably sees it that way, and at the same time stupid enough not to realise just because he lives there he doesn't have the right to block his own driveway. When you confronted him he was probably triggered, probably thinking you dobbed him in to the council as well.

        It is a good thing you are taking out an intervention order against him because he will probably have it in for you now.

        • +1

          So, you cannot really blame him for the accident

          I am not trying to blame him for the accident. My wife apologised to him as well for bumping into his car.

          I understand that as a driver we have to be more careful while driving and what happened was purely an accident and I have taken steps to remedy the damage to his car.

          Somehow, my request to park his car a bit ahead seemed to have triggered him.

          • @RSmith:

            Somehow, my request to park his car a bit ahead seemed to have triggered him.

            As you mentioned earlier, he copped a fine from the local council, which would be fairly hefty I would imagine.
            So, he must have put two and two together and lost his cool.

            Even after receiving a fine, he continued to break the rules, which speaks volumes about his deranged personality.
            Best stay as far away as you can.

  • +3

    Guy sounds mentally deranged with the ego of a child. Got angry because you told him not to do something.

    • +3

      Well, it seems the case to me as well. His next door neighbour had mentioned in the past that when he comes back home, this guy is standing in his driveway and shouting FU's at him. Banging the fence etc.

  • -1

    Please note.

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/api/folder/list/c?tid=9525459

    OP's problem is he doesn't get to use his neighbours driveway to reverse into.

    Even if the OP's neighbour stopped parking on the street and parked on his own driveway, OP would still have the same issue.

    • +1

      OP's problem is he doesn't get to use his neighbours driveway to reverse into.

      Incorrect.

      My car has never entered his driveway and I have been living in the current property for approx 20 years. Anyways, the damage to the car is being handled by the insurance. I am more concerned about the safety.

      • +1

        Ohh?

        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/9525459/redir

        Usually happens during school hours. The street is packed full of cars and when I reverse out and if his driveway is not blocked, I can reverse into it before driving off. At the moment I have to forward-reverse quite a few times :(

        • Ohh…

          Are they blocking the driveway by parking on the street in front of it

          Yes.

          • +2

            @RSmith: You seem to keep hanging your hat on this.

            Are you and your wife incapable of reversing from your driveway onto your side of the street?

            Actually you've already answered the question in the opening post.

            • @tsunamisurfer:

              Are you and your wife incapable of reversing from your driveway onto your side of the street?

              There is only one side. We live in a court and there is no my side or their side of the street. If I could do so, I will do so.

              Actually you've already answered the question in the opening post.

              Does that give him a right to attack me?

              • @RSmith:

                Does that give him a right to attack me?

                Physically attack? Definitely not.

              • @RSmith:

                We live in a court

                Well at least you won't have to travel far to get that personal safety intervention order.

                Seriously though how does your street have only one side? I'm really confused here, gonna need that diagram!

                • +4

                  @abb: Reverse into YOUR driveway so your wife can just drive str8 out.

                  • @BenzMan: I think maybe you replied to the wrong person?

            • +2

              @tsunamisurfer: Hi Op,
              Looks like @tsunamisurfer is your neighbour. Trying to argue with you instead of helping with the given situation 😂😂

    • OP's problem is he doesn't get to use his neighbours driveway to reverse into

      How did you get that?

      • Sorry I provided incorrect link.

        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/9525459/redir

        Usually happens during school hours. The street is packed full of cars and when I reverse out and if his driveway is not blocked, I can reverse into it before driving off. At the moment I have to forward-reverse quite a few times :(

        • Think he means he would reverse onto the road in front of the neighbour's driveway?

        • Ohh…

          Are they blocking the driveway by parking on the street in front of it

          Yes.

          • @RSmith: So do you want to reverse into his driveway or not? I'm confused. Come to think of it, not sure how him parking on the street makes it difficult to reverse, is he parking partly over your driveway or something?

            • @brendanm: I don't want to reverse into his driveway. When I reverse out, I turn my steering right and that leads to car going towards his driveway. Never entered it… always stayed on the street. He is blocking the street in front of his driveway. So even though I don't need to enter it, makes the job hard to do.

              Of course, we hit his car and we are at fault and my insurance should take care of it… Never did I expect such a response for asking him to park a couple of metres ahead.

              • @RSmith: Can two cars not fit on the road? I honestly don't understand how his car on the road affects your reversing out?

                • @brendanm: I will do a gimp diagram tomorrow to explain it a bit better.

                  • @RSmith: That would be excellent. Next time instead of going to the police station, call them while he's being a nut, they will have to actually come out and do something. If nothing is actively happening, they'll file it in the "too hard" basket.

              • @RSmith:

                When I reverse out, I turn my steering right and that leads to car going towards his driveway.

                From what you describe, if there was no driveway where your neighbour's driveway currently is - just nature strip and cars parked legally, you would be hitting those legally parked cars.

                • @DoctorCalculon: That might be correct. If that were to be the case we would have been driving accordingly or talking to the council to have a no standing zone around that area.

                  • +1

                    @RSmith:

                    no standing zone around that area

                    In that case, you need to petition the council strongly about the driveway of your neighbour not to be blocked by any vehicle.
                    However, only do so once the personal protection order for you and your family are in full effect.

  • +9

    advise

    Nope. I'm out.

  • +3

    Sell your house & move

    • +1

      Lol.

  • +1

    Some people are so inconsiderate

  • +1

    Went to the police station afterwards and was advised to file a personal safety intervention order.

    This was after they arrested the guy for assault, right?

    Even just threatening to hurt somebody is assault in Australia, surely swinging a weapon at somebody is…?

    Personal safety intervention orders are a piece of paper, it might dissuade a sensible law-abiding person, but it doesn't physically protect you.

    If the criminal is still at large, make sure your house is locked and you are well armed. Be ready to call the police, but be ready to defend the lives of yourself and your family if the crazy guy tries to break in, because best case scenario, they will take some minutes to arrive. Video and document any further trouble with this guy, it makes all the difference in court.

    Stay safe until you can get the cops to do their actual job.

    • +1

      This was after they arrested the guy for assault, right?

      Oh no. Not at all. I was asked to file a safety intervention order. I will see how it goes. If only the cops could talk to the guy…

      Personal safety intervention orders are a piece of paper, it might dissuade a sensible law-abiding person, but it doesn't physically protect you.

      I understand that and also the fact that the guy in question will not change his behaviour.

      but be ready to defend the lives of yourself and your family if the crazy guy tries to break in

      I will be doing that for sure.

      Video and document any further trouble with this guy, it makes all the difference in court.

      I will also try doing that.

      Stay safe until you can get the cops to do their actual job.

      Thanks.

    • +1

      Even just threatening to hurt somebody is assault in Australia, surely swinging a weapon at somebody is…?

      Caveat: The following is relevant for NSW. Other states and territories may vary. IANAL. Etc.

      Not quite. There needs to be a reasonable belief that a threat is going to be carried out for it to be considered assault.

      For example:

      Threatening immediate violence in such a way the other person believes the threat will be carried through; for example, saying ‘I’m gonna punch you in the face’ while raising a fist and/or moving towards the other person and/or displaying a threatening or angry demeanour,

      Obviously if OP's case is exactly as described, it'd be hard to argue against a common assault charge being appropriate.

    • -1

      You are living a deluded life.

    • Personal safety intervention orders are a piece of paper, it might dissuade a sensible law-abiding person, but it doesn't physically protect you.

      It is more than a piece of paper.

      Once an order is in effect, it is registered with the local police where the Protected Person resides. By law, if the PP complaints of any threats or harassment from the Respondent the police are forced to investigate no matter how small.

      The next time the crazy neighbour chases the OP with a garden fork, the police will be forced to attend the premises, or bring the Respondent (crazy neighbour) in for questioning.

  • -2

    my wife while reversing out, bumped into the rear of this neighbour's car

    Dont go touching other peoples things

    /thread

    • +2

      Cool. I guess it's okay to attack people then. Maybe, I should be the aggressor next time he come face to face.

      • -2

        It sounds like the neighbour doesn't appreciate your position that he needs to move his car or else you will hit it again. Makes me think your wife hit it on purpose to try and force him to move but he's having none of it.

        • +5

          Makes me think your wife hit it on purpose to try and force him to move but he's having none of it

          Yeah, she thought we haven't made an insurance claim ever, why not do it this year and hit his car

          • -1

            @RSmith: You really have to go out of your way to hit a car parked in front of someone else's driveway though. Especially when your husband is obsessed with that car.

            • +2

              @AustriaBargain:

              You really have to go out of your way to hit a car parked in front of someone else's driveway

              Actually not… It is parked in such a way to obstruct me from turning on the road while reversing out.

  • -4

    If you can ask your neighbor to park his car further on the street, why won't you do that with your own car?!!! Entitled people think it's ok to ask people to do something but not themselves. Honnestly, if it such an hassle for both of you to get in and out your driveway, just park your car on the street. Unkess you don't know how to do it ? .. not all disabilities are visible abd obviously either your neighbor have mental illness or some othe disabilities… you should leave him alone… if he can park on the street. So do you. And obviously you can walk a few meters to your home…

    • If you can ask your neighbor to park his car further on the street, why won't you do that with your own car?

      Because he always parks in the street and I always park in my carport.

      not all disabilities are visible

      I have a child with disability and it is easier for us to do the boarding in the carport.

      • -5

        Reading your post, i just feel you are making excuse to justify your poor driving skills. I used to live in a street where once a car park on one side of the road, there would have just enough space for another car to drive pass. And i never see anyone struggling to in and out of their space because there was a car opposite their house. People just make sure that they take a good turn even if they have to mount the path a little bit. Just to don't annoy any neighbours and live peacefully as a community. And it work fine because everyone respect each other space. You seems to think it s ok for you to go and ask people to move their car without asking yourself if you re not the one in the wrong. Anyway, good luck .

        • Reading your post, i just feel you are making excuse to justify your poor driving skills

          Possibly…. Just that during my years of driving, I have yet to get a parking infringement notice, let alone a speeding ticket.

          I used to live in a street where once a car park on one side of the road, there would have just enough space for another car to drive pass

          Ever lived in a school zone?

          You seems to think it s ok for you to go and ask people to move their car

          Never asked anyone to move their car before today.

          • @RSmith: I do live in a school zone. And trust me , i m holding myself calling everyday a tow truck for all the insensitive parents who park their car in my driveway or even in front of my driveway! I stop counting how many times I got late myself to pick up my kids because someone decided to park their car in front of the driveway and walk off. But with time, most of people learnt that they cannot park there. Not because I m crazy homeowners but time to time there will be an ambulance who needs access to my house . And lucky me this year was quieter.

            • @Fier2: Give up. He made a fool of you

            • @Fier2: How did the situation get resolved?

  • Wait till he sees this on Ozbargain…

    • +1

      More than happy to.

    • +3

      Pitchfork moment was probably when he joined the dots and figured out it was the OP that notified council, resulting in a fine being issued.

      He probably has a crime pin board in his bedroom where all the strings were starting to point at the covertly taken photo of OP, so time was running out for OP regardless.

  • Go to Bunnings and buy a bigger fork

    • I will happily use the cricket bat ;) swing it like pandya

      • +2

        look being chased by a psycho with a pitchfork isn't cool and he should be taken into custody and counselled or ordered for mental assessment he may need help that he will never seek due to stigma or he thinks nothing is wrong.

        I take it your car does not have a reversing camera? ( ya can't run into someone generally if you have one that works)

        So maybe get a reversing camera and solve the dilemma

        • he should be taken into custody and counselled or ordered for mental assessment he may need help that he will never seek due to stigma or he thinks nothing is wrong.

          Is going to police or via a magistrate the best way to address this situation? Police should know more as they have experience in dealing with these kinds of incidents. Just asking me to file a personal safety intervention order, is this what police can do or do they have some other means to address this?

          And you are right about being chased by someone with a pitchfork. It's no fun. While I was running away, I was expecting him to hit me in the back. Luckily that didn't happen. Took me a while to compose myself and go to the police station.

          • @RSmith: Buggered if I know, never had that situation happen. I would think you'd have to get the police to be present during the outburst or have solid video footage as evidence he's not all there.

            They then would arrest him and take him in for medical assessment

            you mentioned a neighbour says he shouts obscenities etc and bangs on fences?

            Does this neighbour have cameras.

            For piece of mind and safety esp if you have a disabled child, I'd install security cameras covering driveaway and surrounds and at least a front and rear facing dashcam system in case anything happens again and the cams pick it up even if parked ?

            Hate to say it but this guy may get pissed at what's happened and start harassing you

            • +1

              @ShannonN:

              you mentioned a neighbour says he shouts obscenities etc and bangs on fences?

              Does this neighbour have cameras.

              Yes he does. He has shown me the footage of the crazy neighbour climbing the fence and shouting obscenities apart from banging on the fence as my other neighbour walks to his front door.

              I'd install security cameras covering driveaway and surrounds and at least a front and rear facing dashcam system in case anything happens again and the cams pick it up even if parked

              I think I will get the wireless ones and install them in the front of my house. Currently, I only have a ring doorbell that doesn't give me a view of the street.

              • @RSmith: Get the footage from the neighbour of this bizarre regular? behaviour.

                Take it to cops when you lodge your restraint order and discuss it with them and what other options they can offer maybe the footage will push them to do more or even look if he has a record of violence , criminal damage etc

                • @ShannonN: Thanks for the advice. I will ask my neighbour to pass on the footage of this neighbour to me.

  • +2

    Buy a lighted wooden torch, if he starts running at you with a pitchfork, run with him to the local MP's office, along the way he'll forget your beef and assume you're both involved in a 14th century version of social activism!

    • The head looks exactly the same.

  • +2

    I'm still confused but how does your neighbour parking in front of their own driveway make it harder for you or your wife to reverse out? Do you share a driveway? And how did your wife hit a car that was parked in front of a different driveway, especially when she was acutely aware that it was there.

    • Diagram will clear your confusion.

  • +1

    move

  • +1

    Diagram?

    • uploaded

      • +3

        In future, reverse into your driveway and drive out.

  • Send them a clock in the mail. That should head F* them.

  • +3

    It is very sad but your neighbour has a severe mental condition. My Mum's ex neighbour had the same type of tendencies. He was a loving father and husband until he had an episode and went downhill. He eventually tried to strangle his own son. So there is no way out as far as "negotiating" with your neighbour. Especially if they do not take their medication.

    You need to go back to the police and engage to the point they go visit him. Hopefully he is on a register for mental illness. If he makes the fork-waving threats, then he should be automatically committed for at least 2 weeks. (That is how it was in QLD).

    You only have a few options.

    1. Move
    2. Hope he moves or dies or has to be placed into a home.
    3. Learn to drive better and ignore him. Seriously, your wife should never have reversed into his car. Accidents happen but they should only happen once. Make sure you both learn from this.
    4. Try find out if he has family and contact them for history. (Not easy to do)
    5. Keep talking to police and mental illness departments of your government.

    It is outrageous the Police did not attend your residence and then his to make enquiries at the very least. (This is the part of your story a lot of people are expressing doubt/surprise about). If you were not helped by a Constable, ask to speak to their Sergeant.

    Finally, everybody, stop voting in governments who cut funding for mental health. (or health in general).

    *Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.

    • Keep talking to police and mental illness departments of your government.

      About what?

    • It is very sad but your neighbour has a severe mental condition

      That may very well be the case. He has behaved in a strange manner for last couple of years. Lately, during the covid lockdown he had been staying at home (mostly in his front yard even late at night). He has been targetting his next door neighbour for nearly 10 months.

      You need to go back to the police and engage to the point they go visit him

      I will talk to police and see what they have to say.

      If you were not helped by a Constable, ask to speak to their Sergeant

      Called the police helpline and they have talked to the police station. The police will be taking my statement today.

  • 1: You may find the "damage" can be simply buffed out.
    2: Lodge an APVO "immediately"…. this guy will be Ordered by the Court to NOT speak, near, or interfere with you or your property.
    You seek that he does not park in manner to cause you stress and grief or use vehicle as an intimidating weapon. i.e… park elsewhere.

    You have all the correct records, in which to have APVO made against this aggressor.

    Do not interact with this individual. If you do, it may be used against you.

    Each time you leave your premises… press record on you phone. Get into the habit. This is not a joke.

    In fact, you may have a case that he contributed to the accident by his manner of parking.

    • In fact, you may have a case that he contributed to the accident by his manner of parking.

      Driver is 100% at fault for driving into a parked car (illegally parked or not).

    • You may find the "damage" can be simply buffed out.

      Insurance is taking care of it.

      Lodge an APVO "immediately"…. this guy will be Ordered by the Court to NOT speak, near, or interfere with you or your property.

      Have done that. Hope this craziness comes to an end.

      Do not interact with this individual. If you do, it may be used against you.

      I won't.

      Each time you leave your premises… press record on you phone. Get into the habit. This is not a joke

      Thanks. Will have to do that until I can get some security camera organised.

  • +2

    Next time he chases you remove your clothes and act more crazy than him. Then he'll leave you alone.

  • Might have been avoided if you ask him nicely if he could park a bit further back, rather than getting him fined.

    I never understand why people are so eager to get into a fight with their neighbours - you and your family are stuck with them for a very long time, so you may as well put some effort into the relationship and avoid any tension.

    A bit late then never, but you could make the case to council to get the street parking restricted to one side only.

    • Might have been avoided if you ask him nicely if he could park a bit further back, rather than getting him fined.

      I am not so certain… This incident could have happened earlier if I went and talked to him.

      Regarding the infringement notice, the council ranger comes to my street regularly because it is in school zone with 2P time limit… I did report to the council and it might have been a result of that or it could be the ranger doing his normal inspection and might have found it out.

      I never understand why people are so eager to get into a fight with their neighbours

      Same. I don't understand it either. This neighbour has been fighting with his next door neighbour for close to 10 months and now me.

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