Assault

[billyreid]

Dear all, last night as mysef and several friends were leaving a pub a smll scuffle broke out involving one of my friends and several other drinkers, a boucer over reacted to this and physically through my friend outside ending with him fallling down around 8 concrete steps, my friend obviously under the influence of alcohol and having felt abused reacted and lashed out at the bouncer.
Several bouncers quickly became involved and assaulted my brother to the point he was unconscious and had a fracture to his cheek bone. I was the assaulted (punched in the face) by one of the original drinkers and being aggravated i proceeded to run at the door kicking a bouncer once in the face, then walked away from the scuffles to check on my brother.
My question to you is - we have both been charge with assault, the bouncers assault also possibly serious assault, we appear in court tomorrow and there is cctv of most of the events and independent witnesses, should we plea guilty or not guilty to these charges?
Any help or advice would be appreciated, at the time and amittedly under the influence of alcohol we though our actions were justifie however in the eyes of the law i obviously realsie tha what we did was still wrong.

[sara3]

speak to the Duty Solicitor when you get to court.

[CheekyChops]

I don't really see how you can plead not guilty. You admit that you lashed out at and kicked the bouncers and also there is CCTV and witnesses who saw you doing it!

[billyreid]

Thanks for your answers, i am admitting that i kicked the bouncer, once, and only once, however this was just after he had severely beaten my friend to the point of kicking him whilst he lay on the ground. I know it does not excuse what i done but at the time it felt justified in trying to help defend my brother. When i was removed from the situation i calmed down and took no further action. I am only worried as i have never been in trouble with the law in the past and would not like a charge of assault on my record? Any coments appreciated again.

[Nhozu]

not knowing all the facts but:

you could possibly claim self defence (of another) as their actions were not reasonable and you felt that you had to intervene. Being unconscious and having his cheek bone fractured would be sufficient evidence.

if self defence fails, you could take a step down and claim provocation. this will not absolve you of your liability and but will affect you sentence.

[voltr4m4x]

You have no excuse. You, like many others, go on the rampage in city centres, act like animals hunting in packs, and believe that the world owes you a living, whilst, at the same time you ruin the pleasure for those who genuinely conduct themselves responsibly. Then you have the gall, perhaps, to call yourself a citizen of this country.

Take your punishment like a man and act accordingly in future.

[daffy654]

How many people were involved in the actual fight? I am struggling to understand as you alternately mention helping your friend and your brother.Was it you your brother and a friend- or just you and your brother?