Our Response to Recent Online Harassment and Misinformation

It is with great regret that AST finds it necessary to make this public statement. However, due to a prolonged and distressing campaign of harassment and defamation targeting our company, our founder, and his family, we feel it is important to provide clarity and reassurance to our clients, partners, and wider community.

Background

In August 2023, AST made the professional decision to cease representing a client due to ongoing hostility and inappropriate conduct, including serious and concerning comments regarding a tenant.

Following this, the individual began a sustained campaign aimed at discrediting our business and damaging our reputation.

False Allegations and Online Activity

The campaign has involved:

The creation of fake online profiles
The publication of misleading and defamatory content
The submission of multiple false reports to regulatory bodies, including the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)

We cooperated fully with the SRA, which conducted a thorough investigation and subsequently closed the matter, finding no grounds for further action.

Escalation Beyond the Professional Sphere

Unfortunately, the harassment has not been limited to online activity or professional complaints. Our founder has been the subject of repeated malicious incidents, including:

False emergency service reports leading to unnecessary visits from police, ambulance, and fire services
A false death notification being sent to a local funeral director personally known to our founder

These actions have caused considerable distress to those involved and disrupted both personal and professional lives.

The Broader Context

The persistent nature of this behaviour is difficult to comprehend and, in tone and intensity, draws uncomfortable parallels with real-world accounts of sustained harassment recently highlighted in the media.

Our Actions

We have engaged professional investigators to collect evidence for legal action, both civil and criminal. The individual responsible is believed to be operating from abroad and reportedly using VPN services to conceal their location. We are also aware that other organisations may have encountered similar behaviour from the same source.

Our Position

Recently, our legal representatives received direct communication from this individual, in which they threatened to continue publishing defamatory content unless certain financial demands were met. We will not yield to coercion or intimidation.

We remain confident in the legal process and are committed to pursuing all appropriate avenues to protect our business, our team, and our clients.

A Request for Support and a thank you to our clients who know us

We are sharing this statement to provide context and transparency. We ask that anyone who encounters misinformation online remain cautious and, if in doubt, contact us directly for clarification.

We are grateful for the continued support and understanding of our clients, colleagues, and the wider community. AST remains fully committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, and we will not allow this campaign to detract from the important work we do every day.

Yours sincerely,

AST Assistance

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Mark and his team were absolutely incredible. We started off using solicitors who charged several hundred pounds, were incredibly slow and impossible to get hold of. Mark and his team were the opposite. Incredible value for money, really responsive, took calls on evenings, weekends and whilst sick. Mark was truly our knight in shining armour in a very difficult situation. I would not hesitate to recommend him!

S Crichton

After suffering for months with problematic tenants, I found Mark @ AST assist. Can’t recommend him , and the team enough. My only regret, is I didn’t go to him first. Profession , reasonable, and went above and beyond. Thank you all so much for getting my property back.

D Laura

I cannot recommend these guys highly enough for any Landlord requiring help and assistance with their property. I was recommended to them by another fellow Landlord having found myself in the unfortunate circumstance of a non-paying tenant, that followed with facing significant property damages once we successfully got an eviction. Without the help and advice from AST Assistance, specifically Nathan Dawson, I'd not know my options and be overwhelmed with stress and paperwork. I am extremely thankful to these guys. Brilliant and outstanding service! To any Landlord out there facing problems, don't delay and get in touch with Nathan and/or AST Assistance. They have clear and transparent fees so you know exactly what you're paying too.

Mr Nichols

100% happy with Mark and the team at AST. Mark dealt with everything including Court. He was amazing in dealing with the Judge and got a possession order when we really doubted we would get it. The tenants have now finally gone and the Guarantor is (albeit slowly) paying off the arrears. I highly recommend AST assistance.

J Fox

I am so glad we decided to move our properties over to AST. First class service from a friendly happy team

D Wardell

Excellent, just excellent. Had an issue and we were not sure which way to go, Mark and his team gave excellent sound advice and then executed against this keeping us updated ever step of the way. If anyone has a potential legal issue with a property then go no further than AST Assistance.

S McCafferty

Dealt with AST a few times now to deal with various issues. The professional attitude along with the knowledge is spot on. We will definitely be using AST again in the future.

P Wilson

After many issues with other management companies I was hesitant in using anyone, but when I met with AST I was more than impressed with the professionalism. Excellent service and value. I look forward to working with them time and time again

E Gould

These guys have helped me a few time. Their knowledge is second to none. First class service from first class people.

M Melpo

I have to give another gleaming, amazing, couldn't be happier review for Mr Mark Dawson at AST Assistance ltd. Today I finally got possession of my flat back from what can only be described as a professional nutter. It took a while and they tried every trick in the book to stay, but Mark managed to do what at one point seemed the impossible and save the day. Not only do I have to thank him for successfully and cost effectively getting my home back in one piece, but for the constant calls, reassurance... for pretty much being my counsellor over the last few months - I owe the guy my sanity! For anyone who requires any assistance with all things regarding letting your flat and especially when it comes to getting back possession, there is simply no one I could recommend more (literally the best customer service I have ever received). Mark really is a landlord's best friend!

T B

excellent service and very professional. takes away the stress and they deal with everything. Mark and the team were brilliant

M Watson

Mark, Sophie, Robyn and team at AST assistance have been amazing. The knowledge and speed they work at is hard to come by these days. As soon as I passed the eviction to them to assist with, it was a huge weight off our shoulders. It's hard to come by a business these days who will reply to you so quickly and regardless of how busy they are will always make time to be available for a phone call. They are also quick to get results. I can't thank them enough. Definitely recommend 5/5

G Hardy

Today I got my property back after 9 months of starting the eviction process, and I would not have done it without Mark, Nathan and the team at AST-Assistance. The process was completely hands-free for us, as the Landlords, from start to finish - the team dealt with all tenant enquiries and maintenance work, and all of the paperwork for serving notices and the courts. We were given regular updates at each stage of process. Would 100% recommend them and will be using them again in the near future.

S Patel

W Nichols

I have to give another gleaming, amazing, couldn’t be happier review for Mark Dawson at AST Assistance. Today I finally got possession of my flat back… They tried every trick in the book to stay, but Mark managed to do what seemed the impossible and saved the day

Mr Rob, AST Client

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