Charged with ABH

[jagp1979]

Hi, A few weeks ago i was playing football, i was playing against a lad i kind of know, we\'d had a few words during the game (part and parcel of the game). Anyway, anyway he got the hump with me calling him crap, next chance he gets he tries to take me out when going up for a header but comes worst off and earns himself a nose bleed, it was like a tap, i give him some more verbal and tell him its justice for jumping into me. He stands up walks over to me and leans back and blows his nose spitting blood all over me. It didnt go down well but i kept my cool and thought next tackle i\'l get him back. Minutes later he comes running up behind while the ball is at the others end of the feild and kicks me across the back of the legs and gives me push in the back, i\'m steaming, seconds later play stops and i decided to confront him ask him if wanted something then hitting him once in the face, he goes down with a a broken tooth and 2 cuts to the inside of his mouth which require gluing, the ref see\'s it and sends me off. I walk straight to the chaging rooms, on coming out of the chaging rooms an ambulance arrives. Later on i ring my manger to say sorry and ask about what happened after i left, he tells me we won but the lad was in a bad way, he tells me he heard him tell someone he knew where i lived. I ring a mutaul friend to ring him and ask him about what he thought about it all, 10 minutes later he rings me back and tells me his mouth is in a bad way-he knows why i did it and it happens and didnt really seem the bothered but he wants me to pay his dental fee else he\'l get the police involved. At first i say hang on a minute it wasnt all one way but i ended up telling him to ask to let me know how much its going to cost. 4 days later i\'m arrested for ABH (5am), i get to see the duty solicitor (1.30pm) and tell her what i\'ve put above, she tells me it wasnt self defence i had the chance to walk away but i didnt. I will get charged and It will go to court.

[dh001]

Could the school not have dealt with it internally???

[jagp1979]

She then asks me how well i know him and did he really not seem to be that bothered about the police, i reply according to my mutaul friend he seemed ok about it. She tells if i tell the police what i told her i will be charged with ABH and it will go to court so told me to say no comment in my interveiw and get my friend to ring him and ask to drop the chargesand tell him i'l pay for his dental fee. So in the interveiw i say no comment to about 200 questions, 1 statemant from him saying he enjoys the game and didnt expect this or did anything to deserve it, another from his friend saying he didnt see anything apart from me approach him and hit him in the face for no reason, another from his manager saying he see me hit him for no reason and the another from the referee who also only see me hit him. After i leave the police station i ring my friend to ring him and ask him to drop the charges and i'l pay what ever he wants....NOT INTERESTED!! after a few days and text messages its clear he's not budging, i ring the solicitor and she tells me i will be looking at some community service if i'm lucky a BIG fine. A month later i answer my bail and am told i will be charged for ABH and will need to appear at court in 2 weeks. I ring the solicitor and she know tells me i'm looking at worst a suspend sentance and 200 hours community service a BIG jump from maybe community serveice or a big fine. I feel now i was badly advised as i was going to give the above statement which gives my side of the story, but now i'm going to court with zero defence. I know i've done wrong and was going to admit it but kind of got led up the garden path somewhat.
I have 1 caution from 4 1/2 years ago for ABH-drunk and someone wanted a fight so we had one.

[jagp1979]

This was mens football aka soccer

[dh001]

I was actually being sarcastic. Anyway, what is your question?

[jagp1979]

fair one i like your angle.
What punishment do you think i'l get? suspended sentence? 200 hours community service? a BIG fine?

[beso]

Where was the ref when he blew blood at you.
He should have already been off the field as soon as blood was involved at all.

Personally I recon you are a thug with an aggression problem. Wake up before you end up in jail.

[jagp1979]

Your right i do need to wake up. Thanks for your help.

[dh001]

Hi, On the facts you have disclosed I would suggest the sentence would be a community punishment order, fine and compensation to the victim (dependant on your earnings).

[jagp1979]

Just to let you know what happed...I went to court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty, they said it was a very seriuos offence and is in the brackets of (Prison - High level unpaid work). I was told that they were edging towards Prison and was required to see a Probation Officer on the following Friday. After the worst 2 days ever i met the Probation Officer, it went well, i had about 20 Character References and hold down a very good job with wife,kids and house. She said she was 99% sure i wouldnt go to prison, she told the court that 200 hours unpaid work would be a suitable punishment. The judges came across really understanding about what happened but the injuries to his mouth were in the prison bracket and as it was in a very public place they needed to come down on me quite hard, but as i had said sorry and had a very good character reference they spared me prison. I got 240 hours unpaid work, £900 compo and £85 court costs. Solicitor said it still seems over the top but advised me not to appeal, I hope this helps anyone who may be in a similar postion.....Give a statement, Get as many Character References as pos, and come across VERY VERY sorry!

[jagp1979]

also got a 459 day ban from football, unreal !!!