Guilty for GBH without intent

[tabithag]

My boyfriend has been convicted of GBH without intent section 20. Last May, he was in a bar and he punched a guy once as he thought his friend had been punched. His friend then punched the guy two or three times. The mans jaw was broken in two places and he had to recieve surgery. They both pleaded not guilty but have both been found guilty in court with a jury. He is 21, at university and this is his first offence. He has brilliant refrences from doctors, teachers and coaches. His sentencing is on Friday, what are is the likliehood of it being a custodial sentence?

[bert_h]

Not good, I would have thought. You say he punched the victim, then you say he pled not guilty. That doesn't look good for him. What was he hoping for? That the prosecution had messed up its preparation of the case, or what? The bench will not be pleased with whatever they interpret his motives as. I think he has been badly advised. Brilliant references from all those people don't stack up so well against his apparent attempt to wriggle out of it.

[tabithag]

He was claiming it was in defence of another person.

[EDDIE51]

As this went to Crown court and a full trial the chances for a custodial sentence are higher than normal , sorry.
Section 20 is not normally a jail offence but this looks to be at the more serious end of the scale.
Just hope that the sentence will be suspended , but from reading what you say happened, the case looks like it was just below GBH with intent section 18. The other guy was hit several times by two diffrent people and had multiple factures. What happened to your BF's friend has he been convicted as well ?