GBH - without intent

[lauraloo]

Can anyone advise on the likely sentence for a friend of mine who is pleading not guilty to GBH?
After reading the other strands of similar conversation, I am guessing his charge is 'without intent' - but could be wrong......
He was in a bar with his wife and ended up getting into an argument with another guy who was making suggestive comments towards his wife. Later on outside the bar when they were leaving the guy showed up and started up the argument again which resulted in a brief fight and unfortunately the other guy ended up with a broken nose and chipped tooth.
My friend is a quiet, well mannered guy with a responsible job and this is a bit of a case of "wrong place wrong time".
The other guy has previous - carrying weapons and other assult charges. Is is likely my friend will get a prison sentence?

[jlordy20]

Its a possability he might get a prison sentence, it dosnt matter how nice you think he is, fact is he punched or kicked someone so hard he broke ther nose and chipped there tooth. And it dosnt matter what convictions the other bloke has, he is the complainant.
Your friend might get off with a 12month conditional discharge, or a suspended sentence. he will though get a hefty fine. all depends weather he goes guilty or not.

[dinger128]

It's a nasty assault, I wouldn't say serious and I'm suprised a chipped tooth and some broken cartalige warranted a charge for GBH Sec.20 (GBH without intent).

I would have said it was more along the lines of a serious Sec.47 Assault (ABH), just for the fact that 1. it's a chipped tooth, 2. cartalige is not bone 3. the defendant experienced verbal abuse and was "egged on" if you will. In other words if the "victim" had not persisted with his behaviour and conduct of harrassment, he wouldn't have been assaulted.

Saying that though, you can't just go around punching people in the face just because they say things you don't like.

If your friend has a good lawyer, he should be looking at a suspended sentance and paying compensation. I'm amazed the matter has gone to Crown Court though, what a waste of public money.