ex pleaded guilty to battery, what punishment?

[sally.buzz]

My Ex pleaded guilty to battery, sentencing is next month, he's been arrested on assault charges before but never convicted. My injuries were photographed, blackeye, cut mouth from being head butted, bruising etc, he also strangled me, is it likely that he will just be fined? Also i was thinking of making a victim personal statement, really want to get across how devastating his attack on me was. Do victim statements lend much weight and how do i write an effective one?

[redhead23]

YOU KNOW WHAT sally , im pleased you have had the courage to stand up to this COWARD that hits a woman who is weaker and that you have taken it further , men like him think they can keep getting aaway with it because their women forgive and act like wallflowers
so just saying well done to you , plenty of good decent men out there and you do not need to put up with this losers ****

[sally.buzz]

Thakyou for your reply, redhead23, i just hope that he doesnt manage to get around the system with his empty promises of change and false remorse. Although he behaved like a neanderthal when he attacked me, he's more than intelligent when it comes to manipulation. This has been the first time he has ever had a consequence to his actions, he's caused injuries to other people in the past and has always managed to get away it!!

[redhead23]

well im sure most people will see wat type of ^man^ he is , by the fact that he has hurt a woman , you have photographic evidence , and yes victim statments do have a big effect on the case , you must use words carefully about how you felt violated , terrified , victimised , ashamed and big it up dont let this ****** get away with it
let me know how it goes all the best
you must stay strong , its because people have always let him get away this kind of behaviour that he is the thug he is today
GOOD LUCK XX

[Amber1571]

Morning,

A victim personal statement (VPS) is very important. You should have been contacted by the Police already with a view to making one. If not, contact the Officer who is dealing with this matter. You will need to outline how this incident has effected you.

Good luck.

x

[sally.buzz]

Thankyou everyone for support and advice. My witness support officer is sending out a pack to help with my statement. Feel as though its my only opportunity to express properly the pyschological effect of his actions. Surprisingly, doing something finally has been very empowering, i would urge anyone in similar situation to take a stand and if they are able, to press charges against any man who does this.
I understand that 'battery' is the lowest form of assault, but i can't seem to find out what punishment he is likely to receive, anyone have any idea?

[redhead23]

sally why dont u ring your local police and just ask them what the sentence would be or go on ask . com xx

[kittywoo]

it is probable he has pleaded guilty to get a reduced sentance and play up to the court that he made a terriable mistake...
awful how people can twist things.. it is likley he will get a short term in prison but more likey community service it all depends on the judge... but all the best and i hope you can move on there are lots of great guys out there... i hope this person gets what he deserves... GOOD LUCK!

[sally.buzz]

kittywoo you are right, I,ve realised now that although he was arrested and charged on section 47, he's actually pleaded guilty to section 39. Despite my injuries being consistent with a section 47 charge, i had broken tooth, he strangled me and used his boots as a weapon to hit me in the face. The system sucks!! Why is it not the case that he is tried for what he has done? Essentially i feel that he's been able to do what he wants and get away with it. Its frustrating cos the victim is unable to have any influence, i would rather have gone to court and faced him on his original charge, than have him be able to plead guilty to a lesser one!! Is there anything i can do? I think not.

[Shazza36]

The scum who attacked my son and eventually pleaded guilty to Battery received a 12 month community order, 60 hours unpaid work and was ordered to pay �70 comp and �150 costs! Great detterent as he did it again and is currently on police bail

[davec886]

Sally,
The maximum penalty for s.39 assault is 6 months imprisonment, the maximum penalty for s.47 is at least 5 years (I just forget exactly what it is) I suspect that a custodial sentence is unlikely whatever charge he was tried for. The important thing is that you stood up to him, you took control away from him, and I imagine that has made more of a difference to him than, perhaps, it has to you. Although you say you feel empowered, which is great. I would also urge you to go and see a solicitor and take out a non-molestation injunction against him with a power of arrest. If he makes any attempt to harrass you during the course of the injunction he can be arrested and taken before the next court. Imprisonment is almost guaranteed. Normally they get 28 days for the first breach and it's doubled for each subsequent breach. Now that's what I call empowerment!!!
.......and yes, I am a bloke, we're not all ******** fortunately.
Best of luck
Contact your local womens aid group for help/advice. If you don't know where they are let me know where you live and I can get a contact number for you.

[RATTER15]

When I hear stories like this it makes me ashamed to be male sometimes!!!!

Believe me, not all men are *********!!

Hope all goes well Sally XXXX

[RATTER15]

*a$$holes*

[sally.buzz]

For eveyone who's taking the time to reply, THANKYOU. Coming to terms now with the processes and outcomes of this enforced 'legal system' experience. Dealing with the emotional aftermath of being attacked is difficult, feeling angry and bitter about 'the system' and also about him doesn't facillitate me feeling better!! Time to move on! This man will now have a criminal record and i hope my taking action at best discourages him from behaving in this way again or at least ensure that if he does he will now be dealt with more severely.
Good to hear not all men complete ********! Thanks to everyone again Xx

[sally.buzz]

Hi to everyone. Well i made a victim personal statement and my ex was sentenced a couple of weeks ago. He got a 2 year community senence,he has throughout this time to attend an intergrated domestic abuse programme, also he was fined �60 and has to pay me �500 compensation. My witness protection officer was surprised at the sentence and felt that my statement had a significant bearing on the sentence. I would urge anyone to make a statement especially if the defendent pleads guilty, im sure that it does have an effect and at the least makes the court aware of the impact of the crime on the victim. Thanks to everyone who posted replys they were all really helpful. x x x