Help! Confusing Situation

[Kira_90]

the other night I was out in a big group of friends at a party. anyways the party finished and we were walking to get our taxi. we noticed a man following us who we recognised from the party. this man was a lot older then us him being around late 20s early 30s and the eldest of us only being 18.
We thought he might have wanted into our taxi so my friend asked what he was doing and why he was following us. His reply was abusive and uncalled for. After calling my friend them names, I asked him again what he was doing and what the need for that was, I was quite angry at this point.
The man then hit my in the face resulting in me having a bust nose and a black eye in the morning, after hitting me he threw me to the ground. the same friend who he shouted at then went to shout at him he also has hit her in the face resulting in her having a bust lip then throwing her to the floor.
At this point I was irate and could not control my anger so I went up to him and hit him in the face. possibly the wrong outcome but I didnt know what else to do at the time. this then left him with one black eye. He then pushed me to the floor once more and this situation fizzled out.
I recently found out the man has a suspended sentence for fighting. so my situation now is he has had the audacity to have gone to the police and is trying to press charges against me for assault.
what rights do I hold against this man in the fact that he has hit me first in order for me to retaliate. am I right in thinking what I have done is an act of self defence?
also baring in mind I am a woman and he was a man! not to be sexist but I don't know whether this will effect it or not,

[Kira_90]

Disregarding previous posts, I was thrown to the ground able to stand after so I did. I have not yet been charged or arrested, only spoken to by the officer dealing with the situation making me aware of what was going on.

[Kira_90]

thanks for your help! but im pretty sure its supposed to be a helpful site not a place to try and get down other people throats.

[Daffy6543]

I think the post linked she may have been lying about age as in another it states that GCSEs were just finished (2013) so she would likely be 18/19 now.

[Daffy6543]

I wouldn't worry too much anyway Kira, it is unlikely you will be arrested and charged.

Strictly speaking it wasn't self defence as he had stopped hitting you at the pint where you hit him.

[Daffy6543]

*point*

[Kira_90]

Thanks for your advice Daffy6543. much appreciated.

[Kira_90]

No I wasn't examined by GP or medic but my nose bust immediately after being hit, and I noticed a black eye the morning after. His black eye was also visible the day after.

[ummmm]

Mastercraft...you don't have to answer!!

[ummmm]

Exactly...!!

[phleb]

You should have called the police immediately on the spot. Why didn't you do that, or go to hospital.

[Mamyalynne]

You do know you are breaking Site Rules Mastercraft.

[anneasquith]

both of them are surely mamya ?