Mulling over George Pope to Steve Asher 06 Nov 2002

Hi George!

 SA> I'm not an expert on the law, but AFAIK those signs don't have much
 SA> standing, & the solicitors would have to refuse a request to leave
 SA> before any criminal charges could be laid. ??

 GP> {Maybe so, then take a tip from Beverly Hills, where I saw a couple
 GP> of homes' fences well posted with signs saying, "Trespassers Will
 GP> Be Shot" (they were being serious!)

Here, shooting a trespasser would more than likely be considered to 
be using "unreasonable force"; killing him would possibly result in
manslaughter charges. It depends on the circumstances, and if the 
trespasser is attempting to break into an occupied dwelling & is
killed or injured the occupant is unlikely to be charged.

There have been instances where trespassers have been injured while
breaking into premises, & have subsequently sued the owner for
damages, & won.

 SA> I've been tempted to pour some quick-setting concrete in their
 SA> pit & ducts.

 GP> Nah, that might be construed as "making structural changes"
 GP> (generally considered to be a breech of one's tenancy agreement!)

 SA> As long as no-one sees me in the dead of night.. :)

 GP> And there's absolutely NO WAY that it would get traced back to you,
 GP> being as you ARE the obvious prime suspect!

It won't happen now, the pit & ducts, with the remains of the pigeon,
are in a padlocked enclosure, & I don't have the key.

Cheers, Steve..

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