charged with ABH

[francismarie]

My friend have been charged with ABH, she went to the victim's house and assualted her.
She have pleaded not guilty and is claiming self defence, how likely is she to be found not guilty? There are no witnesses and the victim had a black eye and bruising to the body.

[R1Geezer]

"she went to the victims house and asualted her", I can't see how that can be self defence. Guilty, Cell Block H!

[francismarie]

Well that's what I was thinking!

[alecmax689]

If, in court, the facts are established as you have interpreted them, then it is unlikely that your friend will be found not guilty, further more I would suggest such a plea may aggravate sentencing. Self-defence is not likely to succeed in this instance if your friend visited the house with the intention of committing an assault.

[mollykins]

what was the intention of your friend when she went to the house?

[numenius]

There are so many variables that you can't really forecast. -
Any bad character (i.e. previous convictions for assault or dishonesty) which your friend or the victim have makes which is telling the truth more or less believable, if there was any sign of assault on your friend. Even if she did act in self defence, was it proportionate - if there is no mark on her then the injuries to the victim would suggest not. Another variable is even the make up of the magistrates court on the day, and the area you live in - some magistrates courts for example are notorious for letting as many people off with things as they can, (Harringey & South East Northumberland courts for example), but some are the opposite... with so little information I don't think anyone can give you an answer on this I'm afraid.