My Friend Is Charge With Section 18 And Public Affray And Being Extorted For Money By The Victim What Shall He Do?

[Pammie1676]

A friend of mine is in dilemma about his upcoming trial next month, him and a mate of his was charged with section 18 used of weapon (broken bottle ) with intent to wound and public affray. An acquaintance they both knew have initiated the fight and during the altercation his mate smashed a bottle and hit the complainant with it in the face which caused the complainant to have stitches and left a scar on his face. My friend has not assaulted the complainant but was present during the fight. He is currently on tag and is due to appear at crown court next month for the trial. Whilst on bail the complainant approached them and offered to drop the case if he Was given the money he was asking. My friends mate has paid the complainant money on several occasions but the cased hasn't been dropped as promised. My friend believes they are being extorted and set up. The complainant uses drugs and has brag to a few people that it was actually his fault as he initiated the attack. My friend is worried and depressed about the whole situation. What he wants to know is what is the legal way to inform the court about the extortion and how will it affect the cased. And if he did get send down what sentence should he be expecting? And if yes, how long? My friend has previous drug related charges ang convictions in the past. If the court knew about the extortion, would it helped them get acquitted? What sort of evidence do they need to submit to prove it and to whom? Thank you

[bednobs]

yes, he is being extorted - it is not within the victim's power to drop the case anyway - your friend has been a mug
No, it won't help him in the slightest to inform the court. Agreeing to pay the victim money does not help prove or disprove innocence, which is what the court will be concerned with.

[Buenchico]

If your friend admits paying money to get the case dropped he'll be charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, making things far worse for himself.

[Buenchico]

PS: The prosecution barrister would probably love it if the payments were mentioned in court. I can hear him now, as he addresses the jury: "You've heard, ladies and gentlemen, that the defendant made payments to the victim of this assault, in order to try to get the case dropped. When reaching your verdict, you may wish to ask yourselves whether those are the actions of an innocent man or of a guilty one".

[Davemano]

The definition of bribery seems to have been covered here.

[bednobs]

or she chris ;)

[EDDIE51]

Your friend needs a solicitor urgently, too complex to sort out here.