Hi a friend of mine has been accused of ABH, she was in a club, been drinking all day and got into a heated discussion, which resulted in the victim calling the girls friend a big fat slag. The result was that she hit this person casuing a cut to the persons lip. What is the likely outcome?
Provocation does not justify a violent response but will be taken into account as mitigation. Drinking is not a mitigation, rather an aggravation of an offence.
For a cut lip in these circumstances the likely outcome is a community penalty or fine with compensation and costs.
Thanks for the reply, the police have told her that they are awaiting statements from 4 other whitnesses, but there is no cctv evidence just the victim and her friends have given statements. As long as it doesn't involve a prison sentance i will sleep easier at night. Thanks
No way would there be a prison sentence for a cut lip. Probably just a fine, or if no previous convictions, a deferred sentence or even conditional discharge.
There are no previous convictions, this is a first offence, there is also identification problems, in one of the Statements it says that the person that carried out the offence had a Burgandy top on, in fact the top was blue. They have asked my friend to attend an id parade tomorrow, so we will wait and see.