Not a good idea

[Pretender]

Had an incident last night that scared the shit out of me. Took a long while before making this post but thought it may make others think first in the same situation.
I don't sleep much due to a medical problem and usually sit on the computer reading through this and other Forums into the early hours of the morning.
Anyway at about 3.30am this morning I heard some noise out the front, looked out the window and could see my interior light on and a person standing next to my car.
I just took off out the front and confronted this guy. He had nowhere to go as he was between our cars with the garage behind him. I was yelling something at him and he charged at me taking a swing at me.
I managed to block his arm and punched him square in the throat.
It was only when he fell that I realised he had a knife in his hand. I retreated about twenty feet in fear even though he had dropped it and wasn't going to get up in a hurry. After a few seconds I ran up grabbed the knife and ran inside to call the Cops.
They only took about ten minutes to arrive, probably because I spoke very loud and quickly and told them someone tried to stab me.
The Cops ended up taking him to Hospital as he couldn't breath properly and they came back at about 5.50am for my statement.
They asked if he had intentionally tried to stab me. I said I guess and told them exactly what happened. One Cop said I need to answer as it can mean the difference between attempted manslaughter or a lesser charge.
When he said this it made me realise what the possible outcome may have been. I started shaking and went into shock just thinking what would have happened if my family woke up to find me on the driveway. I did end up stating yes, he did try to stab me.
I'm glad I don't panic but I will not being doing it again just in case as it is not worth it.
I will have to go to court when it comes up and all I've been thinking is I'll have to see someone who could have killed me.
I've still got the shakes now. I am also suffering from depression due to my medical problem so my thoughts are all over the place which doesn't help as they are all negative.
The moral: Even if my car cost $600000 and not $600.00 it's still not worth getting seriously injured or worse over it.

[jack.mc]

Hey mate, I hope your ok. I know its not what you want to hear, but at least you stopped the bastard. I guess we'd all do the same thing in that situation, and probably regret it afterwards. Depression is a horrible thing, I hope you get through it and overcome it someday.

Keep up the jokes mate, they lighten up my days!!

[brownie82]

Holy crap mangz, thats terrible. Hope your ok. Your lucky there wasnt more of them. Your probably more lucky that he didnt press charges, ive heard of that b4 that your better off killing them (not reccomended in any way) than bashing them. Yeah you can never be to sure these days, ppl will do any thing to get what they want.

[MOTIV8]

I don't want to add to your worries but I'm sure you have thought about future scenarios.

Don't forget this fella knows where you live and when he gets out what is he likely to do.

You should find out all you can about this bloke from the police in case he is a total lunatic and make some kind of plans.

[Stupa]

if they die then its 'self defense' and no-one can claim otherwise....

[TheForgotten]

Bruce man, that sucks. I can't honestly say I wouldn't completely pack my dacks in a similar situation, but I'm glad to hear you're ok.
And to stop and think about it, yeah you're right... no car is worth getting into strife like that, even more so if it's insured.
Anyhow, hope it goes alright in the court case. Stay strong and you'll be alright.

[maxy0987]

chances are the guy wont come back, i'f you've snapped him that good i think he will probably move on to easier targets. I think the stint in hospital would sort him out to at least go to easy targets.

next time take a bat.

[HoZy]

Shit mate, your a bit like me, Act first then think...... It's gotten me into trouble quite seriously injured but i'm glad your alright

Cheers
MaT

[Doctor Sodways]

I think the whole act first ask questions and think later method has had us all a few times, but good luck mate, and as maxy0987 said, i doubt he'll be back, he knows what your capable of now. Good luck with it all though

[Baritji]

Shit man...

Glad you're Okay.

Buy a big arse doberman or something......... Or, I'm sure your mates will help you **** him up if the need arises!!!

[Shounak]

Shit man...

Glad you're Okay.

Buy a big arse doberman or something......... Or, I'm sure your mates will help you **** him up if the need arises!!!

You're a cop.. Why don't you have a word with the criminal, maybe arrest him. Oh wait, you're HWP not homicide..

Too bad it didn't work.. I would've loved it if he pissed his pants and edited his posts..

[minux]

As my brother in law says to me, if it's dark and you seriously hurt someone breaking in etc, drag them to the front street, ring the police and say some guy has collapsed out the front.

Problem with today's society, is that criminals are victims, and the victims are criminals.

[Troy711]

sounds pretty shit. ive been in a similar situation of almost getting stabbed. i can scan the statement for you all if you want me to...

[craigvk]

Sorry to hear about that. I am like you and suffer depression and anxiety. If it was me, I probably would have yelled out 'what the hey are you doing?' really loudly and hope the turkey takes off. I am gutless and I hate confronting these sort of people. They could have anything in their pocket or a syringe.

[Tasmaniak]

I hope it all works out for you in the end. I think it's safe to say that you have the support of everyone on this forum. Not that means much but best of luck to you mate.

[Just_Ice]

This bloke was probably High on something and wouldn't even have a clue where it took place......

I wouldn't worry mate, chin up...... You got through it thats the main thing......

It just instinct to run out, anyone would do it.....

[Morgasshk]

fark that dude... glad it turned out sort of ok, hope no further repurcussions result... ****ed up world we are in that we have to worry about defending ourselves "too much" what a crock... 100 years ago, ###, 50 years ago, a bullet to an intruders head was an almost given...

[VS Omega]

fark that dude... glad it turned out sort of ok, hope no further repurcussions result... ****ed up world we are in that we have to worry about defending ourselves "too much" what a crock... 100 years ago, ###, 50 years ago, a bullet to an intruders head was an almost given...

Yep, but then again good ol' Pretender might not be around to speak of what happened, people get shot and killed in America over things like cars, it makes me happy to live in Australia where they're supposed to be über illegal.. sure you've got a gun, but so does everybody else including the people out to get you.

I'm just glad to hear you're OK, if I was in the situation I probably would have called the cops and let them deal with them, say there's a terrorist outside your house or something (to get them to come quicker), no way I'd go out there and confront them but I'm like that

They would have just been random no-bodies out to get your car/stuff inside, don't think it's personal or they're your mortal enemies or something like that, just try to live your life without fear (I know how hard it is) and if shit goes down, have a baseball bat by your front door

This is probably my most unhelpful post ever lol, but I try.. be safe man, be safe

[Patrio7]

as i see it your in the right, you confronted the guy which is fine, he was acting suspicious and then if he made to come at you then its clean self defence.

call me cold but bottom line, its your car not his, value or not its just not done. he had it coming.

my two cents.

[Pretender]

Thanks for your support guys.
I feel a lot better now and have even gained some much needed self confidence because of this incident.
I'm trying to find out if Attempted Manslaughter is an actual charge that can be laid as I'm sure it is not (nobody injured). Manslaughter is the unintentional death of a person through anothers actions that were not intended to cause death as I understand it. My brother, the Lawyer, is away and can't be contacted at the moment.

[NOGEN 3]

All I can say is good on ya! dewd sounds like he had it coming...

[Pretender]

I confirmed that he will probably be charged with assault. As I thought attempted manslaughter is not a charge that can be laid.
The guy got out of hospital today and still can't speak.
Thinking about it I don't really think he tried to stab me I think he just tried to punch me and happened to have the knife in his hand.

[SlyVR]

ur a champ mate... dont forget that.. that takes guts! glad ur ok glad u got that fool too

[Keepleft]

Talk to that brother in law pronto. You must be legally prepared, in case. The need for you to cover all loose legal ends is paramount.

Always write events down as you recall them.

I'll remind, sometimes 'the criminal' can sue for compensation.

[Nobody Actually]

it's irrelivant if he tried to stab you or not mate, he attacked you with a knife in his hand.
looking back at it you may feel it wasn't the smartest thing to do but, at the end of the day both you and your wheels are intact.

good on you, you got the oppertunity i didn't have when my car got broken into