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Assault Offences

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Assault Offences

Assaults can range from common assault to causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Such offences can take place in a variety of circumstances whether that be in a domestic context or in a public place. The sentencing for these types of offences are varied and in some cases can be lengthy, with life sentences for the most serious GBH allegations. Self defence is the most common defence and requires expert analysis and legal representation to effectively use this defence for such allegations.

Contact our experienced solicitors immediately to explore your defence. Our Solicitors have extensive knowledge in the following assault offences:

This can be an act by which a person intentionally or recklessly causes another to suffer or apprehend immediate unlawful violence. A term often used is battery which involves the application of such violence. This can result in a charge of assault by beating.

You need not make any physical contact with someone to commit this offence. Raising your fist or spitting in someone’s direction can suffice.

We understand that arguments are commonplace in the household. Such allegations can result in the separation of parents and children, or spouses with each other. The Court views such offences as extremely serious regardless of whether there is injury or not. Domestic violence allegations of this kind are exponentially rising. Our experience in dealing with such cases can protect yours and your family’s best interests.

This is an offence which the Courts take very seriously. Emergency workers can include Police Constables as well as paramedics. Whereas common assault has a maximum sentence of 6 months imprisonment, this offence carries a 2 year imprisonment maximum sentence. Assaults of this nature can include spitting at emergency workers or even pushing them. See our notable case where a client was charged with assaulting 10 police constables whilst being detained, but with expert mitigation highlighting his mental health decline, he was given a 6 month suspended sentence.

This offence is committed when a person intentionally or recklessly assaults another thereby causing actual bodily harm. Case law has defined bodily harm to be something that interferes with the health or comfort of the victim. This does not need to be permanent.

The simple act of cutting someone’s hair without their permission can result in such a charge. Evidence of bodily injury, a bruise or broken skin is not required to be charged with this offence. The difference in sentencing between common assault and ABH is vast.

Our solicitors have successfully had charges of ABH reduced to common assault through expert analysis of the evidence both at the police station and in Court.

This is the most serious form of assault. It is often viewed as the charge under attempted manslaughter and murder. This is reflected by the sentencing powers of the Court, where the maximum sentence under section 20 is 5 years imprisonment and life imprisonment under section 18. Grievous bodily harm means really serious harm. This offence can also be referred to as unlawfully wounding which simply means breaking skin. This is common in cases where it is alleged that the accused has stabbed or slashed a victim with a knife or other weapon.

The difference between section 18 and section 20 is that of intention. The prosecution must prove that the accused intended to wound and/or cause grievous bodily harm and nothing less to secure a conviction for Section 18 GBH. Our solicitors have experience in challenging charges under section 18 which cannot be proved on the evidence.

See our notable case where through successful negotiations with the CPS a youth client charged with stabbing a victim under S.18 had a plea accepted to the lesser offence and was given a Youth Rehabilitation Order.