Opened mail that landed on my doormat.

[sm03art]

I opened mail that was addressed to my house, but not addressed to me. The contents of which I read, is a police matter. Now I have a letter from Cobbetts trying to silence me.....

 

What is the law on this????

[BankFodder]

You'll have to give more detail. Was it in relation to this site?

[chesham]

It's illegal under the Postal Services Act 2000, but there are many loopholes to this act - the main one being that there has to be intent to cause a detriment to another. Therefore, the chances of any prosecution going ahead is minimal - but that is for the act of opening only...

 

If you were privy to information that is priviledged, then they are entitled to pursue a "gagging" order to stop you from passing that information around. Worst case scenario, a court order could be issued by a judge to prevent you from passing on or using the information to which you have seen.

 

However, how did they know that you had opened it? Or was it that you contacted them to tell them that this person did not live there?

[sm03art]

yes i phone the company to tell them that they had sent the info to the wrong house, the info that i read, was so bad that it's is a criminal matter. Ive phoned cobbetts to let them know that I have informed the police, they weren't very happy to say the least. threatening me with court today at 12 noon.

[kiptower]

if their letter shows they intend to commit a criminal act , then there is a duty to report their criminal intention, there is sweet FA they can do if you reported it to the Police, and there is no Judge in the land that would go against you for reporting their intentions.

 

and just how do they think they can decide a court time date ?? > quote; threatening me with court today at 12 noon

 

I would also inform the Police of their further threats to you

[60's child]

threatening me with court today at 12 noon.

 

I'm guessing the "threat" came at 12 noon today.

[patdavies]

It's illegal under the Postal Services Act 2000,

 

 

No, it's not.

 

The legislation applies to mail whist in transit. That ceases legally on delivery to the written address.

 

Once it is on the door mat, anybody can open it without committing an offence under the Act

[Guest Old_andrew2018]

Hi

I agree with advice given by kiptower you should inform the police of any threads received.

 

Andy

[bedlington83]

Is no-one else absolutely desperate to know what the letter says?

[sm03art]

Id love to tell you, but with threat of cobbetts taking me to court to gag me.....best not. It will be out soon. It's now in the hands of the police.

[sm03art]

If they are successful at court today (12 noon 17.02.10) to gag me, but what if ive already spoken about it???? whats the law on this??

[kiptower]

if it really had went to court you would have been informed about it , allowing you to defend your self, have you updated the police about their latest threats ? if not do it ASAP

 

sounds like you have caught them with their trousers down and are trying to gag you with threats of what they MAY do , if the contents are that serious you must get the POLICE to take this up, only the Police or a Court of Law with an injuction can stop you speaking about the contents, and until this is served legally on you it does not apply, they can make threats of what they may and can do , but until it really goes to court and you had a chance to defend yourself , any thing they say comes from fairyland, and they know it

 

as for opening the letter there is nothing in law that stops you opening it once it went through your letter box, the actual law refers to mail in transit via royal mail, and this has already been highlighted in a post a few up

[bedlington83]

It will be out soon

That's an intriguing comment.

 

Did they give any reason they would be going for the gagging order. We do still have freedom of speech except in a very few cases - they would need to convince the court that this was one of them

[sm03art]

Yes told the police everything, they took the letter from cobbetts away as evidence, and returned it today. Thanks for all the advice. Haven't heard anything from them today. Plus Im away from tomo til sunday, so they wont be serving anything on me, cause i wont be here.....

[kiptower]

I as many would love to know the contents, when you feel ready to disclose it

 

they wont be serving anything on you till it goes to court , and you were first informed about the hearing beforehand

Edited February 17, 2010 by kiptower
typo soz

[2ltr16valve]

very intriguing post !

[humbleman]

yes i phone the company to tell them that they had sent the info to the wrong house, the info that i read, was so bad that it's is a criminal matter. Ive phoned cobbetts to let them know that I have informed the police, they weren't very happy to say the least. threatening me with court today at 12 noon.

 

Would the media be interested in this?

[sm03art]

Would the media be interested in this?

 

Yes im sure they would be very interested.

[sm03art]

Just a quick update, had a 2 page letter today from cobbetts, basically saying that want to draw a line under communications. Also saying that we are ok telling the police but not ok telling the media etc.....?

[kiptower]

they are just hoping you will give up, was all bluff about the Court as a few of us said, now expose them for what they were trying to do, they canot tell you what to do , or who you can speak to

[bedlington83]

It's not for them to tell you what to do. It's interesting that they say don't tell the media though; a) because the information contained in the letter is obviously going to be interesting to a large number of people (otherwise the media wouldn't be interested and b) they obviously haven't got, and doubt that they would get, a gagging order (otherwise you'd have been sent that rather than a letter)

[60's child]

Time to satisfy our curiosity I think;)

[sm03art]

Its in the People newspaper tomo, not sure which page but ill get it and let you know......

[sillygirl1]

Excellent, naming and shaming them may be the only way to stop their threats, I understand it is illegal to send threats through the post, but the DCAs think they are above the law.

[sm03art]

Let's wait and see if my doing's, will cause trouble for me in the end........