ABH and criminal damage, with other cases of assault on his record, what's he likely to get?

[Kit82]

Someone I know has been charged with ABH and criminal damage.
He has 3 cases of assault on his criminal record (one was his sister's ex who hit her, 2 were the police who arrested him after this incident, he fought the arrest. He was so drunk he doesn't remember alot)
It's a shame because he'd kept his head down and had kept out of trouble for the past 6 months, and was trying to make a change.
Alcohol is definately not his friend, he was very heavily intoxicated (alcohol) when this last case of ABH/criminal damage took place.

He has since given up alcohol and sought counselling and anger management, he's realised he needs help.

What is likely to happen to him? Will he go to prison? How long for?

[DONNAKEBABUK]

Honey stop worrying too much. Yes your friend COULD potentially go to prison for this but in my experience it is not likely. (others here will argue to the contrary).

He is making ALL the right steps to confront the Judge with (I guess it will be going to Crown Court).

I had a similar charge a few years ago (and I had previous too) I will also hasten to ashamedly add that I have NEVER been arrested sober either ! I was arrested for criminally damaging my neighbours flower pots and then an ABH. Boy did I show remorse to that Judge.

Alcohol counselling is certainly the way forward as is Anger Management. There is a really good course that is quite inexpensive. Alternatives to Violence. The Judges LOVE it if you have been on this course prior to going to court.

Get him to get as MANY references as he can to say what a nice person he is without the alcohol. The Judge will undoubtedly ask for a Pre Sentence Report where he will have to go to the Probation Service and give an account of what happened. HE NEEDS TO BE REALLY VERY REMORSEFUL here and say how very very sorry he is and that he is more than willing to pay all the damages to the property he has criminally damaged. It will help if he is working full time to support himself, has a mortgage (no one will know if he hasnt if he quotes less than �500.00 per month in mortgage payments). He needs to also say that he is well educated and paint a wonderful picture of himself and WHATSMORE get on with the Probation Officer he sees in the first instance.

Dependant on the extent of the damage and the ABH I would say 200 hours Unpaid work, 18 Months Probation, the Think First Programme and compensation.

Better than going to Prison though I would say.

Katie. x

[doglady]

That's what I'd be going for. Maybe a bit less Unpaid Work. I like to give myself something else to offer if offenders breach their Orders, so always go for less than the maximum UPW..

[DONNNAKEBAB]

Doglady.

What is the max unpaid work you are allowed to give ?

Katie. x