what can you do if you are being harrassed?

[lotsafun]

hi, my friend 'cheryl' is having problems with her ex to whom she has 2 children with. Basically she kicked him out just after christmas because he cheated on her but she still allowed contact with the children. He has them once a week for a couple of hours but does not leave her alone throughout the week. He constantly calls her and turns up at the house un announced and has recently started entering her home while she is not there, he must've had another key cut to the property as there is no signs of a break in. The disturbing thing is that he lays out her underwear on her bed and sends photos to her phone, to which she finds very uncomfortable and un -nerving. She has been to the police and they have suggested she changes her locks but was told by the letting agency that the landlord will not give permission for her to do that. She is at her wits end, not sleeping as she is worried he is going to come in in the middle of the night etc.
Ive advised her to go back to the police and ask for a restraining order against him but she is worried that the kids wont be able to see their farther if that happens.
Any advice would be great thanks x

[bobjugs12]

Tell her to go back to the Police and report this as Harrasment. He will be arrested and interviewed. They will issue him with a harrassment notice, which will stipulate the terms of his release as agreed with the victim ie not to speak directly to her unless it involves the children, not to phone or text her, not to enter her property without permission.

If he breaks this he will be rearrested and charged under the harrassment act. Punishment for this, depending on severity, violence, abuse and mitigating circumstances will range from a cautoin to a custodial sentance.

[bobjugs12]

At the same time, keep all text messages from his phone; write down any other instances of contact (knocking on the door, phonecalls, etc) stating time, date, why; make sure any correspondance is also kept; and ask the police to speak to the letting agency about the locks.

[stonekicker]

she cannot change the locks without permission. she should collect evidence of him entering the property (but if it is a joint tenancy he does actually have the right to be there unless there is domestic violence involved. her only option is to attempt to get an injunction out against him - and she will need evidence for this as well. tough - but that is the way housing law works. give her my best and tell her to persevere. she will get there. or, the only other option is for her to move. sad, morally wrong, but is the a$$ of the law. x

[Nosha123]

if she 'lost her key' or her keys were 'stolen' - could she not change the locks pronto then???

Especially if she was locked out of the house....

Obviously keys would have to be issued to the Landlord and letting agency!

[ddora]

hi
can you please tell your friend that a restraining order agasint him coming to the house or near her will not prevent him from seeing the kids. they will just have to find some other way of him seeing the kids, like getting a close friend to take them to see him and bring them back but he will not be allowed to come to the house if he does he will risk going to jail.
all the best.

[momcj]

it must be very scary thinking he may come in at night. Put a bolt on the inside of any external doors, and obv make sure all accessable windows closed.

[Hazel104]

You can change the locks, as long as you keep the original locks (and keys) and put them back in when you move, supply a new key to the landlord as well. This should be done at your expense not the landlord's