Charged with GBH section 18, will I go to prison?

[Stom]

Im being charged with section 18. I've got no previous but I hit someone with a baseball bat and broke their arm in five pieces. They're saying I was aiming at his head, so its more serious, and I hit him four times. There was loads of provocation though, it was a longterm feud for over a year and he came to meet me when I did it.

What punishment do you think I'll get? Will I go to prison?

Any answers much appreciated. Thanks!

[bonerjones]

not prison but charged with G.B.H..i hit a customer in his own home ,loosened 4 of his teath and broke his jaw.This was June last year.The bloke had been the victim of 2 unprovoked attacks in the past, and phycholagist was under the oppinion he had become desencitised in earlier years.The case went on for nearly a year.I changed my plea at the last minuet as I didn't fancy going infront of a jury.It's a lot worse if found guilty there.I got �750.00 fine,9mths suspended for 12 ,and 6 months probation.I couldn,t believe the damage one punch could do.Common assault 10 years previous.
How bout you STOM what you bin up to ? I won't be doing it again, and know I got o ff lightly

[Stom]

Done nothing before at all boner. Think I might plead guilty to section 20, but not to section 18 cos that's got a big sentence. The problem is that the medical evidence might show his arm was broken cos he was blocking his head, so jury might believe I was tryna hit him in head - much more serious I spose. We were also fighting afterwards and I tried to hit him again, but he ducked, so it will look like a prolongued attack, and I selected weopon beforehand.

I'm really worried that I fit into all the criteria for the most serious form of GBH???

[Drisgirl]

Hey Stom -if you want my opinion -for whats its worth -plead guilty to the section 20 -you will be dealt with slightly more leniently in court.(You know you will be found guilty anyway)
Again -sorry to say you- will be extremely lucky to get a suspended sentence -I personally think you will get a custodial -even by what you yourself are saying it doesnt look good -does it?
Just hope you are young and stupid as opposed to old and stupid (like havent learnt my lesson) and it wont have an adverse affect on your life .

[cherrypoker]

My partner is in prison serving 6 years for a section 18 and he was defending himself against a knife.
I think an 18 months sentence for a section 18 is unrealistic. The law has just changed in april and the minimum term for a section 18 is now 8 years if found guilty. Obviously admitting guilt means you are given a third off whatever sentence the judge is going to give.
Saying that there doesn't seem to be set sentences for anything so you could be lucky!

[Stom]

Six years for defending himself against a knife? That's crazy. What did he do back to them? Stab them or what? That doesn't bode well. Surely there's not an absolute minimum of 8 years though? The judge must be able to look at all circumstance and decide if custody is suitable? Thanks for the response though, that's some context at least.

[bonerjones]

Hi Stom Boner again.You must obviously plead guilty,although doing so you don't have a trial.Just make sure your brief gets as much on your assailent as possible[hopefully he's got a record or has been in trouble ] & get whitness statements get it written down and put in the pack you'll be given and just hope the judge reeds his copy before hand.Also see if you can get some good character references..Something went on to make you react the way you did .The judge is only human he'll see that.Just be polite and hope for the best.It is so intimidating.Poor you.Hope it goes well all the best

[Stom]

Cheers for support Bona. Other guy's got no previous, he will look pretty respectable to a court i think, good job etc.

Anyone any other suggestions on prison terms, esp. if from experience?? Thanks!

[charlotte14x]

anyone who commits gbh should go to prison, circumstances or not- theres no need and humans know when to stop, they know whats right or wrong. my gran was lately broken into and beaten up, and hes not even being charged with gbh, just robbery. and its these kinds of situations that let people like that get away with it! im sorry you were aggrivated and i agree thats not fair, but the baseball bat was too far, your fully aware what that could of done to him. i hope you do go to prison because if you and other people get off for offences such as this, then it will become a more 'ok thing to do', because you hardly get punished. the justice system is disgusting!!!!!

[charlotte14x]

i think if you have comitted gbh and broken his arm then you will probably go to prison. you should do, because i agree its unfair that you got aggrivated but a baseball bat was too far, humans know when to stop and they know right and wrong. my gran is 75 and she got broken into and beaten up just last week, and that may well make me biased towards the situation but the scum isnt even being charged with gbh, just robbery with violence. considering he broke bones, robbery with violence isnt justice. and its cases such as this, if people get off..that others think they can get away with it. the justice system is absolutely disgusting!

[charlotte14x]

sorry i posted twice, i didnt realise the first one had posted