What's In a Name

[Mr Pig]

A guy at work today said he'd been reading the paper and there was a story about a pedophile from a town just ten miles away who'd molested a twelve-year-old girl he'd picked up in his car, he's just been in court for it. Usual stuff but as he read the story it turned out that they guy has exactly the same name as me! And it's not too common a name, not like John Smith or anything.

Has to happen obviously, and it sounds stupid, but it really shook me up. As I say, he lives not a million miles away and I'm thinking that some people who read this story and know who I am, but maybe don't know me well etc, might think it was me! And there's nothing I can do about it.

Sounds daft maybe but I'm really pissed off about it. Just this thought in the back of your head that there could be people out there who think you're a pedophile! You don't really get a lot worse than that :0(

The creep was actually complaining that his life is ruined! Boo f****** Hoo.

 

[col]

Thats a crap coincidence for you isnt it, whats the chances of that? Understandable worry though.

 

[PaulB]

I know a lad got badly beaten up in a pub one night as his assailant confused him with someone else who had a similar name and had once had a relationship with his underage sister.

 

[col]

There are too many of this type, who pretend they care and want to be seen to do something , when its just them using it as an axcuse for there own outlet.

 

[Mr Pig]

A guy I know, he's about sixty now, who was standing in the chip shop one night when this drunken thug tried to pick a fight with him. The guy claimed he knew him, he thought he was someone else obviously , and wouldn't take no for an answer.

Tam had the best possible reply though. He went out to his van and walked back into the shop with his two German Shepard dogs!

"Still think you know me mate?" :0)

 

[goo_mason]

A guy at work today said he'd been reading the paper and there was a story about a pedophile from a town just ten miles away who'd molested a twelve-year-old girl he'd picked up in his car, he's just been in court for it. Usual stuff but as he read the story it turned out that they guy has exactly the same name as me! And it's not too common a name, not like John Smith or anything.

Has to happen obviously, and it sounds stupid, but it really shook me up. As I say, he lives not a million miles away and I'm thinking that some people who read this story and know who I am, but maybe don't know me well etc, might think it was me! And there's nothing I can do about it.

Sounds daft maybe but I'm really pissed off about it. Just this thought in the back of your head that there could be people out there who think you're a pedophile! You don't really get a lot worse than that :0(

The creep was actually complaining that his life is ruined! Boo f****** Hoo.

I hope you don't get the idiots who look up the name in the phonebook then promptly head to the address of the first match they find to deal out some punishment. There really are some idiots like that out there - remember the community who went after the paediatrician because they thought that was the same thing as a paedophile ?

 

[BigonaBianchi]

If you are concerned perhaps ther eis something you can do...why not ask the police or something ...I mean this sort of thing can seriously damage you, your familys reputation without you even knowing it...maybe take some legal advice otr write to the papers printing the article and insist they publish a statement clearing up the confusion?

 

[ACS]

I worked along side a guy Pete Sutcliffe, who was stopped for speeding when the Yorkshire Ripper trial was in progress. Winding down his window the plod asked for his name, this resulted in Pete being dragged out of his car with the officer screaming 'You taking the pi$$, son'. When he realised his mistake Pete was given guidence and allowed on his way.

 

[Mr Pig]

maybe take some legal advice or write to the papers printing the article and insist they publish a statement clearing up the confusion?

But that's just it, nothing has happened and maybe nothing ever will. Maybe you risk making things worse if you draw attention to it. The people at work just think it's funny, in their usual highly sympathetic way ;0)

It's really bugging me.

 

[Noodley]

It's really bugging me.

My advice as an ex-plod would be to give the local Inspector a phone and tell her/him you are a bit concerned for the reasons you have mentioned. I am sure she/he will be sympathetic and the local cops can be made aware of the concerns and be briefed on the circumstances.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

can you change it? If not sometimes it's best to park the problem and move on...letting an issue you cant do anything about eat at you can only hurt one person and thats you.

 

[Fnaar]

I put this up here once before (but I think I took it down again) but I used to get stopped at customs when I was younger, and actually got pulled by plod for some spurious reason... my real name is almost identical to one of the IRA's most wanted back in 80s- early 90s, and I lived in quite an Irish part of London at the time... I'm not a paranoid person generally, but the customs thing was odd

 

[Mr Pig]

My advice would be to give the local Inspector a phone and tell him you are a bit concerned

Do you think that's reasonable? Talking to my wife she thinks I'm over reacting and I don't know if I am. It would be different if the guy lived miles away but basically there are two people with the same name living within a six-mile radius. There's this guy who dragged a twelve-year-old girl into some bushes, and there's me! I don't know how likely a mistaken identity incident is but it's 100% possible.

Did I say I was pissed off about this? ;0)

 

[Noodley]

Do you think that's reasonable?

Yes. Just explain what you have said here, that it is an unusual name and you are concerned. Frame it so you mention it might appear you are 'over reacting' but that you have thought about it and still have concerns. You could start by saying "I know this might sound a bit daft..." but make sure you get your point across.

 

[Mr Pig]

I looked at the article again and the incident happened last July. That makes me feel a little better as a fair bit of time has passed.

However, I assume that this will be the first time his name is in the paper because they wouldn't have been able to print his name until after he was convicted :0( He's out on bail awaiting sentencing.

Thank you for the advice.