Tim D

When I was at school and in youth groups, upon someone's birthday they would be seized by a large number of friends*, lifted by the arms and legs and either bumped on the ground or lofted into the air once for each of their years. My children don't know anything about this custom and they have now finished school.

Has it been killed off by the Health and Safety Mafia, is it alive and well and I just haven't noticed or is it something in between?

*I use the term friends advisedly in this instance!

She moved in with him and his name's the only one on the tenancy as she wasn't 18 when they moved in. They finished recently when she finally saw him for the loser & waster that he really is and she moved out, leaving some stuff behind that she couldn't carry (like the washing machine, still being paid for on her credit card) and agreeing to collect it later.

He's now changed the locks and won't let her have her stuff without paying him.

He is jobless and even the dole office won't pay him unemployment benefit as he has messed them about so much, not keeping appointments etc. so there's no point in suing him, he's worthless.

Legally, morally and practically, what can she do?

(Waiting for him to drink himself to death is tempting, but we could really do with something a bit quicker that doesn't leave nasty stains, smells, and potentially awkward paperwork and questions)

We are working under, and within, English law.

I know it's not really a divorce, but it's the nearest category.