First Time ABH

[RN123]

Hi, I was in a bar with my girlfriend having a great night when 2 men walked in and started harrassing her. One of the men came up to her and stuck his head down her breasts and I had to move ourselves away from them to appease the situation. A few mins later, she had a drink spilt down her back by one of the men and I decided to leave the bar at that point. I paid using my card (from my wallet) and then proceeded to leave the bar. As I was leaving, one of the guys brushed past me and put his hand on my pocket. I checked 3 seconds later where my wallet was and it was gone. I asked them if they had it and they denied it. I got the bouncers to ask them and they denied it. I then decided to call the police. While waiting for the police, one of the men kept on hurling abuse at us and kept on insulting my girlfriend and ended up pushing her! I obviously was very angry and shoved him back and a fight ended up breaking out. My girlfriend was hurt and I had minor injuries, however, he had a bleeding nose since I had punched him during the fight.

The police arrived and he claimed that I had punched him in the face for no reason and was completely innocent. I didn't help the situation by claiming that I would do it again given that they had harrassed us all night and assaulted my girlfriend. The police took that as an admission of guilt and excessive violence and arrested me for ABH.

I've been released on bail (given a police interview with a solictor present) and the case is with CBS since I have pleaded not guilty out of self defense. They are awaiting to see how serious the injuries are.

I'm really stressed about this and I've never had a run in with the law. If the police decide to pursue this and convict, I could lose my job in finance. I did not help the situation initially by being obnoxious to the police and I'm afraid they are going to pursue.

What can I do about this to help my chances?

[Count-A-Strong]

Was there no CCTV in the bar?

[RN123]

not that i'm aware of, however, the police might be looking to get hold of it during the time i'm on bail.

is it very likely or mandatory for the bar to have cctv?

[redcrx]

were you not stood near the bouncers whilst waiting for the police?
maybe they can give witness statements

[Davethedog]

What did the bouncers do?

[jake-the-peg]

Posts of this nature tend to follow a similar pattern - much like yours. There's a lot of detail about the lead up to the incident, provocation who siad what to who etc. Then there's a fight and someone's been arrested.

Maybe that's just the way the mind works - and it's all over in a flash I don't know.

What did the bouncers have to say about all of this? - I would think that would be quite crucial.

There are a number of similar cases that have been posted here

http://www.theanswerb...al/Question662903.htm
for example

If you type

site:www.theanswerbank.co.uk abh

Into google you'll be able to see them all

[RN123]

that's a fair point about the bouncers but they were trying to keep both parties away from each other

they didn't give a statement at the time but maybe that will change

[Davethedog]

Didn't do a very good job then, did they.

[redcrx]

if thats what they were doing then they will have seen it all, wont they

[spitthedog]

Hi RN

The bouncers evidence in this matter appears to be crucial, so that is where your fate lies i'm afraid.

I do hope they see it from your point of view, and best of luck to you.

[Gladeian]

RN123 - I agree that the evidence of the bouncers is crucial to your defence. If the police have not interviewed them and taken statements then you should be pressing your solicitor to interview and take statements. On the basis of what you have said the person you struck was in a group of people who deserved everything they received. Good luck to you.

[Count-A-Strong]

it's normally a condition of licencing approval that city centre bars (if that's what this is) have CCTV.

[katekoala]

i have nothing to add - just that I really feel for you. what a horrible situation - and as always - seems to be the victims that get punished. I hope that there is CCTV and that some witnesses come forward x Good Luck