Charged with GBH Section 20 - Self Defence Would Love any serious advice..

[confused87]

Basically i was playing a 7 a side football match,it was a heated match to say the least anyway during the match one guy from the other side said to me "he had something in hes bag for me after" after a few hard challanges on each other,anyway the second half began and just two mintutes in i was running with he ball and the same guy has jus booted me with no attempt to challenge the ball (i no this cas he booted me at the top of the leg from behind that didnt even have the ball) i assure you this challenge wasnt a "tackle" but an attempt to seriously injure me,anyway the ref has stopped the game for a free kick as iv turned round to put the ball to the spot of my free kick he has squared up to me and grabbed my top,so iv grabbed hes top to counter the force then i receive a punch to the back of the head,i stumble forward and as i turn round to see whats going on this brawl from both teams has begun.Next thing there are people throwing punches at eachother i remember hitting someone on the nose who was running at me with hes fist clenched,anyway after iv hit the guy a team mate has grabbed me out of this circle and got me away from the other team,as im standing there i look over and see one team mate on the floor being kicked and punched by atleast 4 guys of the other team... anyway i said i culdnt leave my friend to get hurt so i ran towards the guys and pushed one of them to the side and said to basically flump off thats enough ...theyre team then begins to leave one by one and our team begin collectin our stuff to go home.Iv had an interview at the stn and due back soon but could someone tel me if im right in my claims that i was just defending myself in fear of my life.. any help very much appreciated im so worried im gonna go to prison for something i have not done.

[confused87]

Also can i just had (i ran out of space on the other one lol) that the police said that they are awaiting cctv but i have spoken with the club it happened at and they said there cameras are Sugar basically,so that means the only evidence is the man who fractured hes jaw and one other person on hes side,against me and 2 guys on my football team. I have no previous with anything and so confused by all this,how someone can threaten/actually start a fight/then get hurt in the fight and just because he has gone to the police first he is now the "victim" i really dont understand this system,so if anyone could tell me how strong a case i have or what they think will happend on my bail return id be greatful.

[exdc]

Hi

Have a read of this:

http://www.cps.gov.uk.../s_to_u/self_defence/

[confused87]

Cheers fella,I deffinatly no that i was just trying to protect myself in the situation,does anyone else have some advice??

[exdc]

Hi confused

"and just because he has gone to the police first he is now the "victim".. Thats basically how it works im afraid.

Self-defence and defence of another are statutory defences to assault but is not automatically accepted particularly at the police investigation stage. Due to the circumstances of this incident you really need to consult with a qualified legal advisor so that all the facts of the case and your actions can be properly assessed to see whether you have a case of defence here.
.

[confused87]

Thanks exdc,I find out Wednesday if im going to be charged with this offence,honestly i will be devastated if I am to be charged with this,the fact that i genuinely didnt even cause the injury nor start the fight is crazy that i could go to prison over this...My solicitor says i have a good case of self defence...but im sure you no as well as i do its about what the judge decides :(