I was shouted at by a youth in a hoodie on a bike tonight as I walked home with my shopping. He shouted “bitch” at me so I said “piss off” which is a mild swearword here in the UK. He heard me because he shouted the same word again and I responded “piss off” again!

He disappeared but he must have gone round a mini roundabout because then he cycled back past me and up onto the pavement in front of me. I didn’t want a confrontation so I crossed the road and walked into another supermarket. I asked a manager in the shop if I could wait a few minutes because the shock of what might have happened got to me! I finally walked home after talking to a friend on the phone (I’d tried ringing the non emergency Police number but couldn’t get through). Then I checked the lad wasn’t about? What is wrong with lads/men these days?

When I got home I posted on social media and it turned out another woman had been frightened by him. He cycled up behind her and screamed in her ear!

I’m going out earlier in future to avoid him.