Worried about my friend going to jail (UK)

[throwthebook]

My friend was out in a nightclub with some friends including a girl he was 'seeing' (seeing as in speaking all day every day, they'd known each other for a while and had just started getting to know eachother i know they met the night before anyway and were close) .


anyway it was later in the night and he'd had a few drinks when he claims to have noticed that the girl he was seeing male friends had his hand on her going from her waist slowly down to her legs; where she was wearing a short skirt. She claims to have been asleep or passed out not sure which when my friend (stupidly - like most drunk people) hit a glass over the boys head who was touching. it wasnt a serious injury but enough for him to go to minor injuries.

anyway his charges are 1 assault by beating on the girl who he was 'seeing' (because of the impact of the glass he says)
and 1 section 18 wounding with intent on the boy

could someone say what is going to happen to him? his case was sent for crown court in a couple weeks
he has no previous arrests or convictions, works and is generally a quiet person but had too much to drink
im really quite worried about him!

and as much as i'd love to hear that hes scum and an idiot, he messed up by not knowing his limits and he is human we make mistakes, silly ones. he is a scummy idiot, but hes my friend and im there for him

THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!

[throwthebook]

male friend***
(2nd line 2nd paragraph)

[sara3]

questions regarding assault are always so... vibrant!

the author/s would make great story-tellers.

[sara3]

and what an interesting username you chose to post this question, lol!

[throwthebook]

@douglas9401 you're actually his judge? how long are you going to give him? and isn't he entitled to a fair trial first?
@everyone else as for the answers they aren't helpful more judgemental - and i don't want to hear it thats not what i asked the question for, don't you think my friend knows hes done wrong (rhetorical question) hes wallowing in self pity and tried to take his own life before it even reached court luckily i managed to stop him. This question wasn't put up for your assumptions to be aired

[sara3]

it's going to trial? he's pleading not guilty to this?

[throwthebook]

as far as i know he admitted it from the start so no it's not going to trial that would be due to my lack of knowledge of the law (why im asking questions in law section)

[sara3]

well then, to be fair.. there will be no "fair trial", as he's guilty and there will be no trial at all. an early guilty plea will allow him an automatic third off any sentencing.

I'm sure someone will come along to advise re sentencing, but you will find remarkably similar stories within the "criminal" section, so may answer your own question.

[throwthebook]

oh i see! surely the judge isn't allowed to do things like comment on this before he sentences him?

And this sort of thing seems to be so variable so was just asking myself for him. only 1 way to find out at the end of the day.

thanks for your help though sara3!

[sara3]

the judge can do whatever he/she so pleases.. his courtroom, his rules. I would imagine he/she will make some "appropriate" comments.

personally, I quite like the "good telling off" approach. it's not okay to commit an offence and just get a sentence.

[throwthebook]

im sure he would love a good telling off, along with the depression, not sleeping, the weight loss, losing friends, self harming, the prison sentence and the fact that it was meant to be someone he trusted pressing charges against him when he was defending her honour. i hope you havent judged everyone you met by the cover or for something they did for 30 seconds while inebriated? this has and will continue to ruin his life forever. thanks for your assumptions sara!!

[jackthehat]

throwthebook - Your 'friend' has been the architect of his own misfortune.
Drunk, or not, glassing someone because he has got his paws on a girl you have decided belongs to you, is not a reasonable response.

The girl is, not unnaturally, upset with him but it is NOT her pressing charges, it is the judicial system.......because nice fella as your friend may be, he glassed someone.

It is a shame that a moment's madness has had such serious repercussions but that's they way these things go, I'm afraid.

Have a look through previous questions on this site which involve incidents of 'glassing while drunk' there are a depressing number of them.

[sara3]

I think someone who glasses someone else whilst drunk or not, but drink is no excuse) deserves a good telling off. he's going to crown court, he's not about to get a pat on the head.

[sara3]

favourite quote in court;

Defence, "my client is depressed"

Judge, "most people aren't exactly chipper when they are being prosecuted"

[throwthebook]

thanks for your input ! bye!

[jackthehat]

What were you expecting ?
That a random group of (informed) strangers were going to agree that your friend is very sorry about it all and has been punished enough..........?!?

Because that's certainly NOT what will happen to him in Crown Court.

Actions have consequences; yes it IS a shame that this will follow him through life, but the injuries sustained *could* have been fatal.

[DavideMexia]

compensation pay, cost incurred in hospital pay and jail or community work is also likely.