My mentally ill neighbour threatened us with a weapon

PurpleWulf
PurpleWulf Community Member Posts: 1 Listener

Hi, I live in a housing association, for three years we have lived underneath a man with diagnosed schizophrenia. He has been hospitalized for this once before this incident. He is generally disruptive but we have tried very hard to be understanding, we supported him, mediated conflict he often got into and dropped off treats

However earlier this week he threatened my husband whilst holding a very large wooden stick in an intimidating matter - at one point banging it on the floor repeatedly as he verbally threatened him. We reported this to the police, council and HA and just kept away from him

Unfortunately events escalated yesterday. He was directly outside our apartment with a sword, waving it around in a threatening way. My husband saw this himself and another neighbour called the police. Armed police came and took him away, along with his multiple weapons he has upstairs. He is currently being assessed in hospital as he was unwell however we cannot be sure his state of mind when he initially threatened my husband. (I know this information as before all this I was very close friends with him and his neighbour)

We have informed our HA about this, we have no idea if he will be charged or investigated after he is treated. We feel very unsafe and my husband almost missed work so he did not have to cross paths with this neighbour and risk assault. It is worth noting that he has been charged with assault before and had a parole officer, this assault was directed at another neighbour

My question is, is there any chance he'll be allowed to return? Honestly we are terrified, the HA have made it clear that many others have reported and complained about him

I desperately want him to get help, but also I am a lone disabled person when my husband leaves for work, we matter too

Thank you for any advice

Tagged:

Comments

  • Mary_Scope
    Mary_Scope Posts: 4,501 Scope Online Community Children and Family Specialists

    Hi @PurpleWulf and a warm welcome to the community from me!

    I'm very sorry to hear this, it sounds like an incredibly scary and stressful situation.

    I'm not sure if he would be allowed to return, did the person who you spoke to when you contacted the Housing Association say anything when you reported him?

    It may be worth contacting ASB Help and/or Citizens Advice about this as they may be know for certain.

    We're also going to send you an email in a while so please keep an eye out for it.

  • SheffieldMan1976
    SheffieldMan1976 Posts: 1,509 Connected

    Unfortunately I've suffered from local HA incompetence, that's why I left circa this time last year, if you report this guy to them, they'll do 2 things, sod all and nothing, it's a Police matter.