What is the sentence?

[tombmart]

ive have bin charged with section 20 GBH and im due to appear in crown court, i was workin as a doorman when a man approached the pub who is barred i refused entry to him and he became verbally aggressive. i tried to remove him from the door way he put up a struggle and i punched him twice he fell over and banged his head resulting in a fractured skull. i say self defence but the courts might not see it that way. what sentence will i get??? i have no previous record.

[randyraven]

Me thinks that bouncers were licensed and trained.
How did this happen ?
You must expect to get drunks and idiots kicking off at the bouncers. You are surely trained to deal with this , without having to punch the guy.
I doubt if you will go to prison.
Would imagine that the judge will not be impressed that you (I would imagine your large) had to punch the chap to defend yourself.

[beso]

You have a duty of care to the public and you responded completely inappropriately. You are lucky you are not facing manslaughter.

Police have to restrain people all the time and they generally do so without causing GBH. You punched him twice and were not concerned for the safety of the man. Didn't you learn about this in training?

There is no excuse for your bahaviour. Your excuse of self defense will work against you because you have not shown you accept you did the wrong thing or demonstrated remorse.

[tubeway]

wizzard66 - we all insult scousers - Isn't that what they are for?

[ChuckFickens]

if you contact the SIA (security industry authority) they will advise you of what you should do if legal action is being taken against you and will offer legal advise to licensed doormen. (which you are of course!!)

You won't need me to give you those contact details will you, as they will be on that license that I'm sure you have.

[hammerman]

I don't think tombmart was asking for forgiveness or to be preached to...he wanted to know what sentance he'll get.

[BRAVO1]

Ask your brief..there are always THREE sides to a story.

1. Your version of events.
2. The guy in hospitals version of events.
3. The truth.

ALWAYS get as many witnesses as you can.
Get statements say the guy attacked you.
You can use a pre-emptive strike, if in fear of your own safety.
I learn't in my 12 yrs as a doorman to grapple and choke punters who were playing up.

If push comes to shove, do your time like a man and learn from the experience.

[Golf38]

The statute books give a maximum sentence of 5 years for S20 GBH. The fact that you provoked is mitigation but the fact that you were in a position of authority may fo against you.

You don't say if the matter is being heard in the Crown court or the Magistrates. If the latter than you can only be sent to prison for 6 months.

You MAY be given a suspended sentence given your previous good character.

If you are given a custodial sentence, I would think you are looking at months rather than years.